Preventive Measures in the Digital Era of Cyber Attacks
In the digital age, mobile devices have become an essential part of businesses, but they also present a unique challenge for organizations when it comes to security. A recent study from Wandera, a leading source for mobile security, suggests that organizations should consider three crucial steps to effectively remedy an enterprise mobile security breach.
First and foremost, immediate containment and mitigation of the breach is essential. This step aims to stop further damage and limit the attacker’s access within the mobile environment. It is crucial to act swiftly to prevent the breach from spreading and causing more harm.
Second, notification of impacted parties is key. This includes customers, employees, and relevant internal stakeholders. Transparency is crucial in such situations, and compliance with data privacy regulations is non-negotiable. Businesses must ensure that everyone affected by the breach is notified promptly.
Lastly, the implementation of remediation and prevention measures is necessary. This could involve deploying security patches, enhancing access controls, updating security policies, and conducting ongoing monitoring to prevent recurrence of similar breaches.
These three steps align with industry-standard best practices, reinforced by Wandera’s threat research focus on detecting and mitigating malicious mobile apps and security risks.
The exact steps from Wandera’s study aren't explicitly detailed, but these three steps form the critical triad to effectively address mobile security breaches in enterprises.
In the event of a mobile data breach, passwords will need to be changed, including all device passwords. Companies should also review their access policies to protect mobile data and user productivity. IT teams may need to reconsider open mobility programs and implement mobile data policies to ensure effective and secure use of corporate resources.
A forensics analysis should be performed after a mobile data breach to understand the extent and nature of the breach. Defensive steps will need to be taken if sensitive data such as contact lists, credit cards, business or personal images, and location information were leaked.
The cost of remedying an enterprise mobile security breach can be significant. A recent study found that companies spend three times as much on remedying a mobile security breach than they could have spent to prevent it. In the UK, the average cost stands at £167,000.
Cases such as the TalkTalk security breach in 2015, which was fined £400,000, and Yahoo's data breach that wiped $1 billion of its potential value, highlight the importance of putting as much effort into protecting against the aftermath of a breach as into its initial prevention.
In conclusion, mobile breaches present a unique challenge for organizations, and businesses must be prepared to act swiftly and effectively when a breach occurs. By following Wandera's suggested three crucial steps, organizations can minimise issues after a breach and ensure the security of their mobile environment. Eldar Tuvey, CEO of Wandera, emphasises the importance of these steps in maintaining the trust and security of customers and employees in the digital age.
In light of a mobile data breach, enhanced cybersecurity measures are required, such as changing all device passwords. To prevent future breaches, companies should review their access policies and consider revising open mobility programs.
A thorough forensics analysis is vital after a mobile data breach to identify the extent and nature of the breach, particularly if sensitive data like contact lists, credit cards, images, or location information have been leaked. This defensive action can help businesses avoid costly consequences.
