Your Smartphone Could Compromise Your Work Network
Introduction
Over 7B smartphones are in use today. Over half of the workforce have company programs on their phone, whether it’s for team communication or on-the-go access to the business.
So whether you’re using it to boost productivity (or slack off, although we hope not!) then you need to know: If you connect your smartphone to the company WiFi, then you’re putting your workplace’s network and ALL of its data at risk.
What makes your smartphone such a huge risk to your job’s cybersecurity? How can you keep your personal and company data safe, especially if you need for phone for work?
Behind Attacks on Your Mobile Device
Compared to your work computer, your cell phone has a much less complex internal security structure.
It’s true that every OS update and new version of your phone comes with an upgraded cybersecurity structure. New software patches often contain much-needed bug fixes to solve a once-vulnerable part of the network. Nevertheless, your work computer has been personalized with vetted security programs and company-specific firewalls. Meanwhile your phone may not have up-to-date operating software, and you could have downloaded unauthorized and insecure applications. A shady program, or one bought from an unofficial app store, could infect your phone with malware or ransomware.
Without proper cyber-defenses to block access to your work data, as soon as you connect to your company’s WiFi, that breach could spread to the entire connected network. Likewise, a breach on your work network could compromise your stored personal data!
Protecting Your Work Data and Your Smartphone, Too
It’s not realistic to expect to keep smartphones out of the workplace. People have their phones on them at all times, for work purposes and personal emergencies. In fact, around 80% of companies have some kind of “Bring Your Own Device” policy, which necessitates use of your personal phone, laptop, headphones and other smart devices.
What can we do when our workplace policies allow, or even encourage us to use our phones for job-related tasks?
- Lock your phone with a strong password, PIN or biometric authentication.
- Only install apps from trusted sources, and be mindful of the permissions they request.
- Adhere to your company’s specific guidelines for using personal devices for work. This is probably outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy.
- Turn on auto-updates for your apps and OS, to stay protected against known cyber-threats.
- Most modern smartphones have built-in encryption features that you can use for your protection. You should also use a company VPN for work.
- Create separate user profiles or workspaces for personal and professional projects. Segmentation supports security!
Conclusion
It’s impossible to leave your phone at home all day. Most organizations expect you to use personal devices, whether it’s to connect with the team, post to the company social media, respond to clients, or anything else that needs your mobile devices!
The key to safe smartphone use in the workplace is segmentation and balance. Be careful when you log into your work network from a personal device, but remember that you have proactive defenses in place to protect your data. After all, the best prevention is education and knowledge.
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