5 Phone Security Mistakes That Put Your Business At Risk

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A lot has changed in the realm of telecommunication. Long gone are the days of stationary hardware as the only method to make a call. Now, it’s common for a person to have a smartphone, a powerful device with capabilities unthinkable from yesteryear. These devices connect everyone through text, media, internet, and apps, a completely integrated network of personal information. In a sense, they’re pieces of us, entire lives stored on a little machine.

In the business world, phones are just as important as ever. Much like a smartphone is a reflection of a person, they’re also a reflection of a company. With all this integration and focus on connectivity though comes risk. These risks of security are prominent because of all that connectivity, and simple slip ups can cause catastrophic financial damage. In this article, we’re going to showcase a few risky phone-related mishaps which puts a company in danger.

1 – Out of date protective software

Even though it’s a smartphone, devices such as these are still susceptible to malware or other malicious code. As such, a big oversight can be in regards to anti-virus programs. Anyone in a business should have this on their phone and keep it updated, or risk losing an entire device to viruses.

2 – Out of date apps

It should also be noted that applications on phones using older versions are a major security risk. This is especially the case if a company uses its own app for connecting to the company network. Old firmware and code can lose out to modern viruses or malware, so it’s crucial a workforce have the most up-to-date programs, especially if using a company device.

3 – Improper information storage

Whether your business provides a mobile device or has a BYOD program, all information should be kept only on authorized hardware. If for any reason this sensitive data is on a worker’s personal device, this puts the business at risk. What happens if that data is compromised, lost, or stolen? Having strict policies and penalties regarding this is a big step in safety.

4 – Devices aren’t encrypted

Encryption is one of the best ways for anyone to protect their data. This is the same for technologically reliant businesses, and not having encrypted phones, personal or provided, leaves a big hole in security protection. Should the device get lost, someone might have access to sensitive business information.

5 – Opening unsafe files

Human error is often the largest threat to security. Mistakes are made and this is what malicious software relies on. Employees that don’t practice caution around strange messages are likelier to put a company’s infrastructure at risk by introducing dangerous malware into the network. Alleviating this by having education security policies in place is often the best defense, as well as teaching workers how to identify dangerous messages.

Because phones essentially operate on the same level as modern computers, they should be treated with the same safety practices. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can keep your corporate information secure and avoid costly downtime.

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