The importance of protecting your mobile devices

Many small businesses rely on their mobile devices to conduct business, whether that is a phone, a tablet or a laptop and are predominately used for emails, financial transactions, storage of customer data and confidential business strategies. Yet, with the convenience of using these devices comes risk - failing to adequately protect mobile devices can lead to security breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and significantly impact business continuity. This could be through theft, losing the device, or even leaving it unattended for a period of time. And remember, one compromised device can serve as a gateway for attackers to access an entire network, putting both the business and its customers at risk.

To mitigate risks, SMEs should follow these crucial security measures:

1. Switch on Password Protection

Password protection is your first line of defence. By enabling strong, unique passwords and utilising biometric authentication, like fingerprints or facial recognition, you make it much harder for criminals to access your device.

A device left unsecured is an open invitation for hackers. Using weak or common passwords makes it easier for criminals to crack them, especially through brute force or simple guesswork. Also, relying on basic PINs or simple patterns increases the likelihood of unauthorised access. The National Cyber Security Centre recommends using three random words to create a complex and unique password.

2. Make Sure Lost or Stolen Devices Can Be Tracked, Locked, or Wiped

Mobile devices can be lost or stolen, so it’s essential to have the ability to remotely track, lock, or wipe your devices if this happens. Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions can provide this functionality, helping you secure company-owned devices and ensuring any lost or stolen device is quickly rendered useless.

3. Keep Your Device Up to Date

Keeping your mobile device’s operating system and software up to date is crucial to protecting it from new and evolving threats. Regular software updates typically include security patches that address vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. When these updates are ignored, your device becomes susceptible to attacks, as cybercriminals can exploit outdated software. Enable automatic updates to ensure your device is always running the latest security patches. Make sure that all system software, apps, and firmware are up to date as soon as updates become available.

4. Keep Your Apps Up to Date

Applications on your device often provide convenient ways to access business tools and communication channels. However, outdated apps may contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain sensitive data. App developers frequently release updates to improve functionality and fix security flaws. Ignoring these updates can leave your device exposed to malware and other attacks. Set your apps to automatically update or regularly check for updates in the app store. Review app permissions to ensure that apps only have access to the data they truly need.

5. Don’t Connect to Unknown Wi-Fi Hotspots

Using Wi-Fi hotspots at coffee shops, airports, and hotels might seem convenient, but these networks are often unsecured and can expose your device to significant risks. Attackers can set up fake Wi-Fi networks in order to intercept your device's data. If you must use a public network, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data traffic and keep it secure from prying eyes. Alternatively, consider using your mobile device’s cellular data connection (4G or 5G) when conducting business transactions, as these are much more secure than public Wi-Fi hotspots. 4G and 5G connections provide encrypted communication channels, reducing the risk of your data being intercepted.

Securing your mobile devices should not be considered optional but a necessity. By implementing robust security measures, businesses can safeguard sensitive information, maintain customer trust, and ensure long-term success. Investing in mobile security today can prevent devastating losses tomorrow.

Protect your business—secure your mobile devices now! To gain further access to guidance on how to keep your business running as successfully as possible, please visit our membership page and sign up today for FREE.