Mobile devices help keep employees connected to the workplace and each other, but with increasing cybersecurity risks, it is key employers consider cellphone security.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce shares the following ways you can keep employee cellphones secure.
- Train employees regarding device safety. Whether you issue company cellphones or employees use their own devices, you should issue a mobile security policy that provides clear guidelines addressing what is acceptable behavior. Be sure to train employees regarding device safety and taking security seriously.
- Use antivirus software. Although all cellphones have safeguards, antivirus software offers an added layer of protection. Antivirus software can protect devices from malware and ransomware attacks and sometimes can monitor employee text messages and call logs for suspicious activity.
- Back up cellphones regularly. Ask your employees to regularly back up their devices as they would a laptop or PC so they can always recover any lost data.
- Safeguard passwords. Encourage employees to change their passwords every 90 days; choose a strong password that is at least eight characters long and contains a mix of numbers, symbols and upper- and lowercase letters; and enable two-factor authentication.
- Use a virtual private network. A VPN allows you to establish a secure connection between a mobile device and the company network, protecting all communication through an open Wi-Fi network by masking your IP address and encrypting all personal data.
- Require technical updates. People often procrastinate when they need to install a software update on their cellphones, but such updates can improve a device’s functionality and protect devices from cyberattacks and viruses. Encourage employees to update their cellphones regularly.
- Consider issuing company phones. Employees who use their personal cellphones for work pose the biggest security threats. You cannot enforce security protocols unless you provide company-issued cellphones, so it may be something to consider.
