Mobile technology certainly offers many advantages for an enterprise. In one hand, use of smartphone makes the work extraordinary flexible. Communication is much easier than before. However, there are some risks of mobile technology to anticipate at workplace. It is true that bring-your-own-device (BYOD) environment allows the employees to do many things at work hours.

Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy allows the employees to take fingerprint and track every movement. They can even do things not related to their jobs, such as measuring heart rate. Many companies have been using smartphone technology to indicate where the employees are sitting. This is possible due to the use of positional sensors in the smartphone. So, what are the risks of mobile technology to anticipate at workplace?

Risks of Mobile Technology at Workplace

Malware Attacks

This is the most common risk of mobile technology at workplace. In the past, mobile technology was less susceptible to malware than traditional PCs were. Now, the belief has shifted, thanks to the common problems brought about by cyber security harassment. Many hacking tools are now available from cyber warfare firms.

Cyber firms like Pegasus are frequently used by the government to get into private computers, organizational computers, and mobile devices. They call it a lawful intercept. The government has the resources to buy the expensive and powerful malware.  When it is used, the malware can do serious damage to the targets.

Heterogeneous Nature of Android

Android is known to have a heterogeneous nature, which makes it a significant risk. The latest case of Wannacry Ransomware proved that most of the old versions of operating system do not have adequate security patches. In addition, they do not get any update from the manufacturer anymore. For instance, Microsoft does not update Windows XP, Windows 7, and older versions.

Studies show that Android’s ecosystem is more fragmented than that of iOS. Therefore, Android devices tend to be more vulnerable, and older devices are even more. Users of Android devices have more choices. Some even include unsafe apps. This is different from Apple’s app, which is controlled only by a single source.

How to Minimize the Risks of Mobile Technology at Workplace

Stealth attacks come not only from malware and viruses but also from robust sources. Unfortunately, BYOD and corporate devices are the main targets of such stealthy attacks. You may remember how hackers successfully broke the security system of a financial company recently. In such a case, hackers have more chance to abuse the personal and financial data of the clients.

Some cyber security experts suggest that, at workplace, everyday users are the most important element in the security chain. When the employers are able to make sure that the employees protect their mobile devices, than the network will be safer. The following are some tips for minimizing the risks of mobile technology at workplace:

• Keeping the devices up-to-date by doing regular update to the apps
• Reminding the employees to avoid using suspicious links, particularly in emails and when the senders are unknown
• Sending suspicious links to cyber-security organizations authorized by the government, such as US-CERT
• Conducting continuous and regular monitoring of the network
• Doing immediate act when suspecting that an attack is underway

Of course, collaboration of all elements in the company is one of the keys to minimizing the risks of mobile technology at workplace. In other words, communication is crucial.