The top cyber threats facing the manufacturing industry are ransomware, supply chain attacks, insider threats, phishing and social engineering attacks. In 2023, the manufacturing sector accounted
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a corporate policy that allows employees to use their personal devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops to do their jobs. This policy aims to provide flexibility in work environments, which can enhance employee productivity and satisfaction. However, BYOD doesn’t come without challenges, especially from a security perspective. Some of the risks of BYOD include data theft and loss, malware infection and data leakage due to shadow IT.
Continue reading to learn more about the security risks of BYOD and ways organizations can mitigate them.
1. Data theft and loss
Data theft and loss is a significant security concern associated with BYOD. If a personal device is stolen or misplaced, it could result in confidential information or corporate data falling into the wrong hands. It’s not uncommon for employees to forget their devices while out and about or have them stolen. Such incidents increase the risk of corporate internal information being stolen or lost, potentially damaging a company’s reputation and customer trust. Furthermore, if this information ends up with competitors or malicious attackers, it could significantly harm the company’s strategic interests.
2. Malware infection
Malware infections are more likely to occur on BYOD devices because employees are less likely to be as cautious as they are with an organization-owned device. The risk of malware infection increases when employees visit inappropriate websites or download unsafe applications for personal use. Such malware can potentially infiltrate a device and, from there, breach the corporate network, stealing confidential data or causing system damage.
3. Data leakage due to shadow IT
Shadow IT refers to IT resources or applications that employees use without the knowledge or management of an organization’s IT department. In a BYOD environment, employees are more likely to adopt and start using various apps and cloud services on their devices that they find convenient for their work. While some apps may contribute to improving employee productivity, they also create risks that are often overlooked from a security perspective.
Shadow IT can lead to an increased risk of data leakage when critical company data is stored or shared on platforms that are not managed or secure. These applications and services often do not comply with an organization’s security policies or compliance standards, making them susceptible to external attacks and data breaches.
How to mitigate BYOD security risks
Here are some security measures that can help organizations secure BYOD devices.
Invest in a business password manager
A business password manager provides organizations visibility, security and control over their employees’ password practices. This enables IT admins to enforce using strong passwords across employee accounts. Most password managers don’t only come with the ability to store passwords securely, they can also store important files and documents and enable secure password and file sharing. By providing employees with a way to store and share sensitive information securely, organizations can ensure that confidential information is safe from compromise, even on BYOD devices.
Restrict the installation of certain apps
Restricting the installation of certain apps on BYOD devices can be an effective method for securing BYOD devices. This approach allows an organization to enhance management and control over personal devices used by employees for work. IT admins can create a list of approved apps and prohibit the installation of any apps not on that list, thereby reducing the risk associated with unauthorized software or apps with insufficient security measures.
Keep the Operating System (OS) and software up to date
Keeping the operating system and software up to date on BYOD devices is critical for addressing security vulnerabilities and safeguarding the device against malware and other cyber threats. Software developers regularly release security patches and updates designed to patch known vulnerabilities and fix bugs. By ensuring that the OS and software on employees’ devices are always up to date, the risk of attackers exploiting these vulnerabilities is significantly reduced.
Create a response plan for loss or theft
Having a response plan for dealing with the loss or theft of BYOD devices is an essential element of an organization’s security strategy. While such incidents are unforeseen, establishing clear processes and procedures in advance can minimize potential harm. Ensure your organization has a simple and rapid reporting system so that employees can promptly report the loss or theft of their devices. This enables the security team to initiate a swift response such as remotely locking the device or changing account information.
Encourage employees to avoid using public WiFi
Public WiFi networks, while convenient and easily accessible, lack adequate security measures and are susceptible to cyber threats like Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks. In a MITM attack, an attacker interrupts a data transfer between two people, allowing them to steal confidential information or manipulate communication.
To mitigate this risk, companies should instruct employees to use trusted private network connections when handling data related to their work. If there is a need to use public WiFi, employees should connect to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) first to encrypt their online activity. This safeguards them against eavesdropping or interception from external threat actors.
Have employees install antivirus software
Installing antivirus software on BYOD devices can help protect employees against malware and viruses. Antivirus software regularly updates its database to protect against newly discovered malware. Some antivirus can even remove viruses and other intrusions that may have infiltrated a device.
Safely manage BYOD environments with Keeper
While BYOD environments come with advantages, organizations must acknowledge the security risks that arise as well. This allows them to take steps to mitigate these risks so they can better protect their organization. Safely managing BYOD environments requires that organizations invest in tools that make managing them more secure and efficient. For example, organizations need to invest in a business password manager to ensure employees keep company data secure and their accounts protected with strong passwords on their BYOD devices.
To see how Keeper Password Manager can help you safely manage your BYOD environment, start a free 14-day business trial today.