by Stefani Laszko
In the aftermath of Edward Snowden, smartphone security has become a major topic of debate between the different parties at play. Users want their data secure, device companies want to keep their consumers happy, the government wants you protected while still having the ability to tap into your info if they want it and the bad guys are constantly looking for ways to get their hands on your most sensitive data. So where does a business owner start when deciding what type of phone to go with and how to manage what their employees are doing? Though there is still much out of your control, you can make informed decisions and put policies and procedures in place to protect you and your client’s sensitive information.
The first line of defense is the phone and operating system that you choose. Generally speaking, the Apple iOS is safer than Android. Apple scrutinizes potential Apps before they are placed in the App Store (and the App Store is the only place to download an iOS app) where Google’s Play is considerably more of an open market. Additionally, Android allows for apps to be downloaded from anywhere on the internet, allowing for malware to be easily transmitted if you are not paying close enough attention. With either product software patching of your device is crucial to your security as they often contain patches for loopholes that have been discovered since the last update. Again, Apple tends to pull ahead here as they make their updates a big deal with press conferences and such. Either way it’s up to you to keep your device up to date.
These days more often than not, companies are welcoming their employees to BYOD (bring your own device). Smartphones have become the norm and with unlimited use plans being the most common, most employees are open to using their device for work instead of carrying two devices. As a business owner this is where you need to put in some controls to secure your data and your client’s information. The two most controls important are password protection and the ability to wipe a device in case it goes missing or in the case of an employee separation.
Technology is always evolving and in the case of smartphone device security it’s not just the device companies controlling it, the government is involved as well and often they are at odds. You must commit to staying on top of the trends or partner with an IT company that you trust to guide you through. Often times, there is no right or wrong answer but you must take all the information available and decide what is right for your business and what risks you may or may not be willing to take. The bottom line is if you and your employees conduct business on smartphones you have to have a defined policy that dictates how the devices can and cannot interact with your business otherwise you may be exposing yourself to big trouble.
Mythos Technology is an IT consulting and management firm. For more information, please visit www.mythostech.com or call (951) 813-2672.
