In recent years, we have seen a significant shift in the global workforce. With the proliferation of high-speed internet and advanced communication tools, remote work has become the new norm for countless professionals. This transition hasn’t just been about convenience; it’s also about embracing the power of mobile devices.
The transition to remote work was well underway before the global pandemic, but COVID-19 dramatically accelerated the adoption of remote work practices. Companies across various industries embraced remote work models to ensure business continuity and employee safety.
However, this shift towards remote work and mobile device dependence has brought new IT challenges to the forefront. The very devices we rely on for work and personal tasks are now the primary targets of cyber threats. Malicious acts are increasingly targeting mobile devices to access sensitive data, compromise corporate networks, and disrupt business operations.
Bridging vulnerability gaps with expanding attack surfaces
The explosive growth in mobile device and app usage has created a vast attack surface, presenting an enticing target for cybercriminals. Despite this, security budgets and staffing levels have not kept pace with the expanding threat landscape. According to the Cyber Security in Focus 2023 report, this year was the first time CISOs considered their budgets to be the biggest barrier to strategy execution. Consequently, security teams are grappling with ever-widening vulnerability gaps. These gaps have far-reaching consequences, as demonstrated by the following statistics.
According to a 2022 Juniper Research report, e-commerce fraud was predicted to increase from $41 billion to a staggering $48 billion in losses in 2023 for online merchants. The emergence of alternative payment methods, such as digital wallets, are contributing to the escalating financial impact of e-commerce fraud.
Zimperium’s 2023 Mobile Threat Report highlights that 70% of digital fraud now occurs on mobile devices, emphasizing the critical importance of mobile security.
Addressing the post-COVID-19 security challenges
As we step into 2024, enterprise security teams are still dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the dramatic shifts it accelerated. The adoption of various tools and modalities—telehealth, remote and hybrid work models, cloud storage, SMS-based multi-factor authentication, and QR codes—has surged in recent years, presenting new security challenges.
Security teams have also faced an increase in the number of devices and employees working remotely. The Verizon Mobile Security Index 2022 reported that 79% of organizations surveyed agreed that remote work had adversely affected their cybersecurity and increased the burden on security teams. The 2022 report also pointed out that almost two in three chief information security officers (CISOs) across all regions agree that remote work makes their organization more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Additionally, the Verizon 2023 Mobile Security Index reported that 62% of companies had experienced a security compromise that was at least partly attributable to remote work in the past three years.
Escalation of cyberattacks
The concerns expressed by security teams are well-founded, as major cyberattacks continue to rise. A survey reported in the Verizon Mobile Security Index 2022 found that 45% of companies surveyed suffered a security compromise in the past 12 months, marking a 22% increase compared to the previous year. This data illustrates the urgency of addressing mobile security in an environment where attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Mobile threat defense: A necessity for protecting sensitive data
To combat the evolving threat and protect sensitive business data, organizations must turn to mobile threat defense (MTD). MTD tools are comprehensive security solutions designed to safeguard mobile devices and apps, and the data they contain from a wide range of threats. MTD’s importance lies in its ability to:
1. Provide continuous monitoring and threat detection, ensuring subtle and evolving threats are identified and mitigated in real-time.
2. Support compliance with stringent regulatory requirements for data protection.
3. Maintain uninterrupted productivity in an era where remote work is integral to many organizations.
Integrating mobile device management with MTD
Mobile device management (MDM) solutions allow you to oversee both device management and automated monitoring of your mobile security posture across your mobile device fleet. Administrators can efficiently monitor the overall device security, view threat alerts, and generate comprehensive reports on security incidents.
MDM allows organizations to remotely manage and secure mobile devices by enforcing policies, restricting access to certain apps or resources, and ensuring device compliance. MDM solutions are often used in conjunction with MTD solutions to enhance security. This adds an additional layer of control, enabling organizations to maintain a secure mobile environment.
- Facilitate threat detection with just a few clicks:
- An MDM solution simplifies threat detection by providing real-time alerts and advanced analytics, making it easier for IT administrators to monitor and respond to security incidents swiftly.
- Evaluate device security constantly:
- An MDM solution continually assesses device security, ensuring that smartphones and tablets meet established security standards. Any deviations from these standards trigger immediate notifications and remediation actions.
- Configure proactive security measures:
- Organizations can proactively set up security policies and controls, ensuring that mobile devices adhere to best practices, including encryption, app allowlisting, and network access policies.
- Lockdown vulnerable devices:
- In the event of a security breach or non-compliance with security policies, IT administrators can remotely lock down vulnerable devices, preventing unauthorized access and data leakage.
For organizations seeking a comprehensive and robust mobile security solution, the integration of Mobile Device Manager Plus with Check Point Harmony offers a powerful combination. Harmony Mobile, a leading cybersecurity platform, provides advanced threat prevention, zero-day protection, and secure access to network resources. When integrated with Mobile Device Manager Plus, this synergy enhances the security of mobile devices and corporate data, while streamlining the management of these devices.
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