9 Enterprise Mobile Security Best Practices

Mobile technology has made life infinitely more convenient in recent years, and yet, this phenomenon brings with it a set of challenges all its own. Principal among them is the heightened need for comprehensive security measures to keep users’ information and activity safe from prying eyes.

In fact, recent data has revealed that 75 percent of mobile apps fail to pass basic security tests. As important as this goal may be for consumer products, it’s even more of a priority for organizations who use mobile applications to govern their business operations and other sensitive tasks. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind regarding enterprise mobile security.

1. Build Authentication

It’s a simple enough step to build authentication into mobile devices — as well as corresponding apps, for that matter — but surprisingly many consumers don’t even add this basic protection into their devices. Without a password, thumbprint scanner or other means of identification, anyone can easily gain access to data. Take this into account with your business and its mobile endeavors.

2. Separate User Information

If your mobile app has ties to both personal and enterprise information, it is imperative that you create separate routes for each type of data. This will give you the ability to secure and control corporate data — and intervene to prevent security risks — while leaving personal data intact.

3. Take Control of Third-party Software

Chances are that you and your team have designated mobile devices for business purposes. If so, limit the possibility of a security breach by establishing controls to limit or block third-party software from gaining access. A remote virtual private network (VPN) will likely be the best option to accomplish this goal, as you can set widespread parameters regarding access.

4. Secure Mobile Devices

No matter how many security measures you build into your app, the device it is installed on still needs protection of its own. Of course, there are several ways to go about this — passwords, data encryption, software updates, etc. — but the bottom line is that you should have some recommended protocol in place for your team to prevent unsanctioned data extraction.

5. Beware of Specific Mobile Threats

Just because your mobile presence has been well-protected, it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. After all, app stores and developers can become high-value targets. Prepare your mobile app with protection architecture and a comprehensive threat extraction system to guard against any incoming attacks you may face.

6. Enable the Ability to Remotely Wipe Data

If devices become lost or stolen, a user’s sensitive information goes along with it. Thankfully, the ability to remotely access and disable devices has become readily available. You should consider giving your staff these privileges so that any data exposure can be limited, should an emergency situation arise.

7. Secure Mobile Communications

During transmission, data can be at a particular risk of being attacked by hackers. Ranging from email to chat conversations, these correspondence can be hijacked or intercepted by third parties, making sensitive information vulnerable. Consider carefully which steps you need to take to ensure that your enterprise systems remain secure.

8. Implement Anti-malware Software

With each passing year, malware is becoming just as dangerous a threat to mobile technology as it is to desktop operating systems. For that reason, be sure to install anti-malware software to protect your mobile devices from becoming a target, especially when it comes to business dealings.

9. Check Regularly for Vulnerabilities

Due to the ever-changing nature of mobile technology, you should create a default policy rule matching devices with vulnerabilities. These can then be used to regularly verify that there are no egregious weaknesses that may be exploited by others and take preset precautions in the event that something is found.

Best Practices Make Perfect

With the above best practices in place, your mobile app will be far better prepared to tackle incoming threats. As much as technology has helped propel the business world forward, it has also given way to new and troubling ways for malicious individuals to exploit any weaknesses present in your infrastructure.

Don’t leave your mobile app open to attack, and be sure to implement these key mobile security best practices as soon as possible, as they may very well be the key ingredient that saves your app from a devastating invasion of privacy.