Stephen Midgley, pictured, Vice President, Global Marketing at Absolute Software shares his tips on how to avoid business IT security mishaps.
1) Manage your mobile workforce
BYOD, CYOD and COPE policies – great for efficiency but potentially lethal for data. Devices are easily lost or stolen when employees are travelling home, working remotely or even on holiday. If this happens, smartphones, tablets and laptops all offer a gateway to the business infrastructure, leaving company data ripe for the picking. Not only will this put a massive dent in the integrity of the business but it also leaves them subject to the wrath of the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, with a fine of up to £500,000. The encompassing rule for all businesses, from SMEs to large corporations is that you need to find ways to securely enable your employees to work on the move and outside of the office. Some businesses are doing this by using software that allows remote file retrieval and complete data wipes. When you do get it right, it’s as simple as ‘track, manage and secure’ for the devices and information, within and outside of your organisation.
2) Don’t ignore the threat of apps
App use boomed by 115% in 2013
3) Educate your staff
23 per cent of employees
4) Account for multiple threats
Almost all business data is now digital. This is driving huge efficiencies and savings but it leaves valuable data vulnerable to numerous and varying threats. These threats can come from malicious intent or human error and can manifest through lax security within the likes of remote working, BYOD, COPE and cloud storage policies, or through simply leaving an unlocked device on a train. Either way, companies need to adopt a holistic approach to cyber security. Provisions need to extend beyond a firewall and cover more than just hacking attacks. Data security policies need to take into consideration each device brought into the office, as well as each end-user. This way all potential security risks are covered.
5) Let software do the work
Mobile device policies are the norm for contemporary businesses but the speed at which they’ve developed has meant that CIOs have barely been able to keep their head above water. Regardless of the particular policy – BOYD, CYOD, COPE and so on – they have all become common headaches for IT departments. When deciding how to solve this pain though, the resolution is not mutual and it’s not just a case of one fits all. Businesses need to choose a policy that suits their needs and couple it with mobile device management software that fits best. This way no data can slip through the cracks.