How to Prevent Data Loss and Phone Hacking

This short guide will give small businesses five tips on safeguarding their device from hacking and data loss.

Protect Your Devices from Hacking and Data Loss

As companies start to depend more on smart devices rather than laptops and desktop computers, they should be aware of the security risks associated with these devices.

Smart phones and tablets are stolen more easily, and they can often be the weakest links in the network’s hierarchy. There are several essential defenses that businesses can use to safeguard their devices from attackers.

• Frequent Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Analysis
• Use of VPN for Remote Access
• Vulnerability Scanning
• Wireless Security Configuration
• Mobile Security Solutions

Here are five steps that will help to secure your establishment from malicious attackers.

1. Disallow Devices with Root Access – The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) practice that is enforced by many companies worldwide poses a serious risk. A number of Trojans and other malware have the capability to root the infected devices and install dangerous low-level scripts that can cause a lot of harm to the internal network. This problem can be countered by refusing access to the network for rooted devices.
2. Enforce a Strong BYOD Policy – The use of BYOD policies can sometimes be a problem. The security staff should introduce a strong policy that clarifies the responsibilities and sanctions.
3. Use Mobile Device Management – Companies can use Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. The IT security staff can use sandboxing environments when working with critical information and devices. This is used to separate the personal from the professional data in the network communication. Centrally managers can utilize advanced features such as remote data wiping, locating lost devices, encrypting managed devices, disabling native applications, detecting jailbroken or rooted devices and managing the security and operating system updates.
4. Wipe Lost or Stolen Devices – When the devices are managed by a central solution IT staff can easily encrypt and wipe the contents of these devices to prevent leakage of information and malicious use of the data.
5. Threat Defences Audit – Security specialists advise all companies to conduct penetration testing from partner companies and external vendors on a regular basis. The results can give insight on the current status of the network’s capabilities to withstand contemporary threats in different test scenarios.

Some of the key actions that are recommended include:

• The enforcement of screen locks
• Immediate installation of security updates
• The use of updated and reliable anti-virus and anti-malware software
• Implementation of good password practices
• The implementation of remote wipe capabilities
• The use of device tracking