Increase In Mobile Threats Calls for A Proactive Mindset.

By Nicole Allen, Senior Marketing Executive at Salt Communications

Mobile threats are always evolving in the world of business.

Threats to mobile security are increasing: More than 60% of cyber attacks now occur on mobile devices, including phishing and smishing scams and password theft within organisations.

One crucial issue that is all too frequently ignored in businesses’ ongoing efforts to boost productivity and reduce expenses is mobile security. Yet, how can an IT team effectively respond to the numerous cyberthreats that are becoming more prevalent and serious?

It’s critical that businesses adopt a security strategy that is less reactive and more proactive. Companies that embrace a proactive mobile security model are not only more efficient and able to save money in these volatile markets, but they are also more secure. It’s crucial to adopt a different perspective and approach this area with more vigilance.

The rise in mobile threats

Now that mobile usage has surpassed desktop usage, the time has come to understand how attackers target mobile apps, the motivations behind their actions, and what you can do to ensure your organisations are resistant to such dangers.

The rising use of mobile devices in itself isn’t the alarming part. What employees do with these devices and the data they have access to are more worrisome. Verizon’s annual Mobile Security Index survey indicates that 53% more mobile devices have access to sensitive data than they did a year ago. According to the same survey, customer lists, employee personal information, banking information, and other data that was formerly solely available through office computers are now also accessed through mobile devices.

One device is all it takes 

Businesses might not be aware that one of their most vulnerable spots is mobile security. One unprotected mobile device in a business is all it takes for a cybercriminal to access the whole network.

Such intrusions can be fatal to a business of any size, disrupting its operations, jeopardising its vital data assets, and destroying customer relationships. In fact, the effects can be so severe that, after six months of a cyberattack, almost 60% of small businesses are unable to recover and cease operations.

Although technology has completely changed the way we conduct business, increased employee mobility has also brought us new security vulnerabilities.

Top 3 mobile threats 

1. Obtain company data 

Since they are one-stop shops for massive data dumps, businesses are the top targets for hackers. Data breaches at both large and small firms give hackers access to millions of user credentials, which they can then use to their advantage.

Companies pay hackers a lot of money to gain access to rivals’ personal information. You might add things like trade secrets, client information, prices, sales and a lot more. By stealing its ideas and even clients, all of these can help the firm outperform the victim company.

2. Land and expand.

That is, to move beyond device control to higher value goals like the company network. A mobile device that has been compromised can be used in several ways to access business networks.  The hacker may also use the device’s connection to the corporate Wi-Fi network when the user returns to the workplace and reconnects by taking control of the device itself.

3. Delivering malware 

We are engaged in a cyberwar where hackers are the enemy and malware is the tool, and insecure apps are the battlefield. Which is why it’s crucial to understand the principal methods through which malware is disseminated.

Phishing emails are by far the most popular way for hackers and state-sponsored hacking groups to disseminate malware such as ransomware. Hackers have gotten very good at creating emails that fool recipients into clicking links or downloading files with malicious software. A prime example of this was the 2018 Atlanta, Georgia, SamSam ransomware assault, which shut down city operations and reportedly cost the city $2.6 million to recover from.

How to adopt a proactive mindset when it comes to secure mobile communications

You must establish a zero-trust mentality to shield your company from potential risks in order to safeguard it from a possibly catastrophic cyber-attack. Consequently, you must manage threats proactively and keep an eye on the devices, programmes, and services that access your network.

Many businesses treat communication as a series of dos and don’ts: encrypt important information; refrain from opening attachments from unidentified senders. However, this kind of directive approach is ineffective at motivating staff to become vigilant about new ways that hackers can cloak their attacks. Instead, the importance of secure communication must be embedded into your organisation’s whole culture.

Each device that connects to your network puts your company at danger. You’ll be on the right track if you begin by considering these possibilities as the framework for what you require to safeguard your company from the increasing quantity of cyber-attacks that are coming your way. Choose to adopt a proactive approach by protecting your mobile devices with a secure communications system, that will help turn your organisation’s vulnerabilities into strengths.

If you require any additional assistance, please contact our experts for more information at info@saltcommunications.com or to sign up for a free trial of Salt Communications or to speak with a member of the Salt Communications team.

Discover why your organisation should learn more about your workforces mobile threats.

About Salt Communications 

Salt Communications is a multi-award winning cyber security company providing a fully enterprise-managed software solution giving absolute privacy in mobile communications. It is easy to deploy and uses multi-layered encryption techniques to meet the highest of security standards. Salt Communications offers ‘Peace of Mind’ for Organisations who value their privacy, by giving them complete control and secure communications, to protect their trusted relationships and stay safe. Salt Communications is headquartered in Belfast, N. Ireland, for more information visit Salt Communications.

References:

https://aag-it.com/the-latest-cyber-crime-statistics/

https://saltcommunications.com/news/how-to-identify-your-mobile-blind-spots/

https://saltcommunications.com/news/theres-no-way-youre-still-using-consumer-messaging-apps-for-business/

https://www.servicemax.com/uk/fsd/2018/01/25/you-shouldnt-risk-using-consumer-apps-for-work-communication/

https://www.wired.com/story/atlanta-spent-26m-recover-from-ransomware-scare/

About the Author

Nicole Allen, Senior Marketing Executive at Salt Communications. Nicole has been working within the Salt Communications Marketing team for several years and has played a crucial role in building Salt Communications reputation. Nicole implements many of Salt Communications digital efforts as well as managing Salt Communications presence at events, both virtual and in person events for the company.

Nicole can be reached online at (LINKEDIN, TWITTER  or by emailing nicole.allen@saltcommunications.com) and at our company website https://saltcommunications.com/