December 26, 2018

5 signs you have a mobile device management problem

Karen D. Schwartz

Woman using Samsung phone with hardware keypad

If you’re focused on growth, customer service and productivity, chances are you’re not only fine with employees using mobile devices on the job - you actively encourage it. And if your small business is like most, your employees are using their own mobile devices (commonly called Bring Your Own Device or BYOD) for work as well as personal use.

While mobile devices offer many benefits to small businesses and their employees, they can also cause problems if they aren’t managed properly. If, for example, mobile devices aren’t fully secure, neither is the business data they access.

According to a Ponemon Institute study, two-thirds of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) consider insecure mobile devices their most vulnerable endpoint, along with Internet of Things (IoT). The report also found that 37 percent of SMB mobile devices had been affected by ransomware.

The best way to gain control of the devices employees use for work is with a mobile device management (MDM) solution that enables you to implement security requirements and other controls.

Here are five signs you might have a mobile management problem.

 

Employees inadvertently install or use apps from untrusted sources, leaving the company open to security breaches.

From personal finance to boosting productivity on the job, you know what they say: There’s an app for that. But without proper restrictions in place, employees could easily download applications that are either downright malicious or don’t take the required steps to keep personal information secure. A good mobile device policy will ensure that employees keep personal information separate from work data and apps. That’s key to maintaining the security and privacy of company information. The policy should also outline acceptable use and data protection policies, how backups and support are handled and what to do if a device is lost or stolen.

 

An employee left their device without the lock screen activated in a taxi or other public area.

Aside from the embarrassment, a situation like this can expose important data to competitors - or worse. The best way to ensure this never happens is by enforcing proper password policies. That means no passwords weak enough that anybody could guess them. The Ponemon study found that 59 percent of small businesses don’t have visibility into their employees’ password practices, and that safe password policies often aren’t strictly enforced. It’s crucial to require - and enforce - that employees use strong passwords - and better yet, biometrics - to secure access to mobile devices.

 

Some employees are still using an older version of a critical application and can’t upgrade beyond Android 7.

While they may be perfectly comfortable using older versions of operating systems and applications, the inability to upgrade means they aren’t getting the latest security updates. That increases the risk of data theft. If employees aren’t in a position to buy new phones - and it’s understandable if they can’t - a comprehensive MDM system allows IT administrators to blocklist applications and websites that might be vulnerable.

 

Your employees are becoming frustrated because they can’t access their business email accounts on their phones.

If employees can’t access email or contacts on their phone, they’re wasting their time and the company’s time. The best way to reap the most productivity out of smartphones is by deploying core business applications on the phone. For many businesses, the first step is setting users up to access Windows-based apps, including Microsoft Office, from the cloud. Other important mobile-enabled apps include those for file sharing, collaboration, networking and customer relationship management.

 

The last employee who lost their phone complained about it for a solid week.

If you don’t have a plan in place for addressing times when a phone is lost or stolen - and it will happen - you’re not only going to get an earful, but you’re risking the company jewels. While “find my phone” apps are fine for consumers, they don’t protect against thieves targeting your business. If a phone is lost or stolen, it must be wiped of all corporate data remotely - and quickly. This should be a critical part of your mobile device policy.

 

Mobile devices give small businesses the ability to act and react more like larger businesses. And like larger businesses, managing mobility smartly should be a top priority.

See how Samsung’s Knox IT solutions can be tailored to boost productivity and enhance workflow at your business.

[Icon] close

Get started with Samsung Knox

[Icon] suitcase
Are you a reseller, solution provider, or service provider?

Become a Knox Partner and grow your business today.

[Icon] info

Select a Knox product to start with:

All-in-one Bundle
Knox Suite
Rebranding and Customization
Knox Configure
Fraud and Theft Protection
Knox Guard
Device Protection Plan
Samsung Care+ for Business
Other products & services

Get started with

[Image] Knox Suite

All-in-one solution bundle for enterprise mobility.

  • Get a free 90-day trial for up to 30 devices.
  • A complete set of tools to secure, deploy, manage, and analyze your corporate devices.
  • Try powerful features bundled with Knox Suite.

Knox Suite includes:

Knox Mobile Enrollment Free
Knox Manage
Knox E-FOTA
Knox Asset Intelligence
Knox Platform for Enterprise Free
Knox Remote Support
Knox Capture
Knox Authentication Manager

Get started with

[Image] Knox Configure Logo

Rebrand and customize your Samsung devices.

  • Get a free 90-day trial for up to 30 devices.
  • Remotely configure Samsung devices in bulk and tailor them to specific needs, right out of the box.
  • Set up your devices for a one-time deployment, or update them as much as you want.

Get started with

[Icon] Knox Guard Logo

Fraud and theft protection for Samsung devices.

  • Get a free 90-day trial for up to 30 devices.
  • Reduce financial risks and protect assets by remotely controlling Samsung devices.
  • Try all the features of Knox Guard, including SIM control and device locking.

Get started with

[Image] Samsung Care Plus For Business Logo

Device protection plans for your Samsung devices.

  • Limit business interruptions with quick device repairs and replacements. Contact the Samsung sales team to get started.
  • See all your device coverage and claim information in one place.
  • Already purchased Samsung Care+ for Business? Create an account and activate your plan on the Samsung Care+ for Business console.

Other products & services

[Image] Others logo

Modern solutions to address your unique needs.

CONTACT SALES