Even three years after a global pandemic, working remotely is here to stay. According to the definition, remote work includes working from home, in a hybrid workplace, or on mobile devices. Working remotely increases employee productivity, job happiness, and office space savings, which boosts companies’ bottom lines. It increases employee and corporate security breach risk. Remote employment makes it more likely that employees will use public Wi-Fi to check email or be uninformed of workplace security hazards. This is true whether doing business on a laptop, Android, iPhone, or tablet. When it comes to protecting firm data from mobile attacks, traditional cybersecurity approaches that are effective in a server-based environment are not sufficient. Instead, a few alternative tools and procedures are required.
Understanding The Mobile Security Challenges
There are multiple layers of attack that can target mobile devices. Malicious apps, attacks on the network, and exploits in the devices and mobile OS all fall under this category. Cybercriminals are focusing more on mobile devices due to their growing importance. Consequently, there is now a wider variety of cybersecurity attacks targeting these devices.
Threatening Online Resources
Mobile devices, similar to desktop computers, can access the Internet and run applications. Similar to how they operate on desktop computers, mobile malware (i.e. malicious apps) and malicious websites can steal data, encrypt data, and more on mobile phones. There are numerous shapes that malicious programs can take. Malicious apps that infect mobile devices often run trojans and engage in ad and click fraud.
Mobile Cryptovirus
One subset of mobile malware, mobile ransomware, has recently grown in prevalence and destructiveness due to the proliferation of mobile devices used for business purposes. Ransomware that targets mobile devices encrypts data and then demands payment in exchange for the decryption key, making it impossible to view the encrypted contents.
Phishing
Phishing is a commonly used attack vector. A phishing email with a malware link or attachment starts most intrusions. Mobile phishing attacks use email, SMS, social media, and other apps to send links and malware. Emails are the most common phishing vector on mobile devices, although they are not the most common. Only 15% of mobile phishing assaults use emails, behind messaging, social networking, and “other” apps.
MitM Attacks
Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks intercept network traffic to eavesdrop or manipulate data. Mobile devices are especially vulnerable to MitM attacks. SMS communications can be intercepted, and mobile apps may use unencrypted HTTP to convey sensitive data. Web traffic uses HTTPS. Employees must be linked to a hacked network like public Wi-Fi or cellular networks for MitM attacks. Unless a VPN is employed, most firms have no restrictions against using these networks, making this type of assault possible.
Advanced Rooting and Jailbreaking
Rooting and jailbreaking iOS and Android devices give users administrative access. These exploits use mobile OS vulnerabilities to root devices. These higher rights allow an attacker to access more data and wreak more damage than with basic permissions. This attack is easy since many mobile users jailbreak/root their devices to erase default apps or install apps from untrusted app stores.
OS/device exploits
Higher-layer software is often the focus of cybersecurity, although lower-layer software can also be vulnerable and exploited. Like computers, mobile devices can be attacked by exploiting OS or device vulnerabilities. Because they are hidden from the device’s security, these exploits are sometimes more harmful than higher-level ones.
Understanding The Cloud Security Challenges
While there’s no denying that cloud computing has many benefits, it also come with some security risks. Issues with Cloud Computing Security are listed below.
Lost Data
One concern in cloud computing is data loss. Also called data leakage. We know our sensitive data is in someone else’s hands and we don’t manage our database. Therefore, if hackers compromise cloud service security, they may access our confidential information or personal files.
Hacker-Insecure API Interference
Cloud services are Internet-related, as we know. API is the easiest approach to interface with Cloud. Thus, external user interfaces and APIs must be protected. Few public services are provided in cloud computing, making it vulnerable to third-party access. So, hackers may use these services to hack or damage our data.
Hijacking User Accounts
Account hijacking is Cloud Computing’s biggest security risk. Hackers can execute unauthorized activities if they hijack a user or organization’s account.
Switching providers
Cloud Computing security also concerns vendor lock-in. Many companies experience different issues while switching vendors. For instance, if an organization wishes to switch from AWS Cloud to Google Cloud Services, they confront issues like relocating all data and switching approaches and functions. AWS may have different fees than Google Cloud, etc.
Oppositional Denial of Service (DoS) assault –
Overloading the system causes this type of attack to happen. Large businesses, including those in the banking and government sectors, are the most common targets of denial-of-service assaults. Data loss happens during a denial of service attack. Therefore, a large amount of time and money is needed to retrieve data.
Best Practices for mobile security
Activate user authentication
We leave company laptops, tablets, and smartphones in taxis, restaurants, airlines, and more, making them easy to lose or steal. Turn on the screen lock on all mobile user devices and demand a password or PIN to enter. The device has tons of useful data! Biometric security methods like Face ID and Touch ID make most gadgets more accessible but not more secure. To add another layer of security to your mobile security, create a Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) policy for all end-users. Make sure you are who you say you are to protect all your devices.
Use Password Manager
Passwords will remain, and most people find them burdensome and hard to remember. We must change them constantly, making the process considerably worse.
Welcome to the password manager, a “book of passwords” with a master key only you know.
They save and generate secure, unique passwords to avoid using your cat’s name or child’s birthdate repeatedly. Microsoft has enabled password erasure on their 365 accounts, but they’re not gone forever! Passwords will be essential for protecting sensitive and corporate data.
Maintain regular OS updates for mobile device security.
Using outdated software increases your hacking risk. Apple (iOS), Google, and Microsoft upgrade security to stay ahead of threats. Don’t disregard laptop, tablet, and smartphone upgrade prompts. Turn on automatic software upgrades on your mobile devices by default. Update your operating system regularly for the latest security settings! Your IT department or provider should regularly update your laptop software. Don’t forget to hit “restart” or it won’t help! Although it’s tempting, don’t utilize the coffee shop, airport, or hotel lobby’s free Wi-Fi.
Remote Lock/Data Wipe
Every organization should have a BYOD policy with remote lock and data delete. This policy allows the organization to remotely wipe or lock a stolen or lost mobile device to protect its data. This is tricky because you’re granting the firm authority to remove all personal data, as BYOD employees use the smartphone for work and play.
Data Backup and Security in the Cloud
Your company’s risk of data loss is increased when employees use their own mobile devices to access your public cloud-based apps and services. To begin, ensure the safety of your cloud data by backing it up! Even if your device is gone, you should still be able to view any potentially affected data right away. Choose a cloud service that lets you revert to previous versions of your files (at least within the last 30 days) and keeps a version history.
This is compatible with Dropbox, Microsoft Office 365, and Google’s G Suite.
Deleted files or versions are permanently removed after 30 days. To avoid this, you could look into cloud-to-cloud backup solutions. These will back up your data for a little monthly price.
Best Practices for Cloud Security
Secure cloud access
Though most cloud providers protect their clients’ infrastructure, you must secure your organization’s cloud user accounts and sensitive data. Password management in your company helps reduce account breaches and credential theft. Set password policies to start your cybersecurity. Share cybersecurity standards with your staff, including complex account passwords and password rotation. Secure accounts and passwords with centralised password management. Automate password management and distribution, a worldwide insider threat risk management platform with PAM. Vaults protect passwords. Manually and automatically rotate passwords. Time-limited user passwords will create zero-trust cloud architecture with password management and two-factor authentication. Requesting cellphone codes verifies users’ identities in public.
Modify user access.
To boost efficiency, some organizations provide workers simultaneous system and data access. Compromised user accounts allow cybersecurity attackers to access critical cloud infrastructure and increase privileges. User privilege management allows your company to regularly review and revoke user access permissions. Users should only have access to work-related data, per least privilege. Thieves can only access critical data from a compromised cloud account. Setting up and removing accounts and privileges can also limit access permissions. The PAM feature enables you to apply least privilege in your cloud architecture and better manage cloud user account access: Ask for access One-time access Access time limit
Staff monitoring provides visibility.
Dedicated solutions boost transparency and cloud infrastructure security by monitoring staff activity. Watching your employees may show cloud account compromise or insider threats. Imagine your cybersecurity experts notice a user log into your cloud infrastructure from an unusual IP address or during off-hours. They can then quickly handle breach-related aberrant activities. Monitoring can also catch an employee utilizing forbidden cloud services or misusing sensitive data, giving you time to investigate. Monitor business partners, suppliers, and vendors with system access for cybersecurity concerns. Staff surveillance System detects cloud account penetration and malicious insider behavior.
Monitor privileged users
Private cloud security best practices involve tracking privileged users. Administrative and executive staff handle more sensitive data than regular users. Therefore, privileged users can harm the cloud, intentionally or not. Check your cloud infrastructure for privileged default service accounts. Account breaches can give attackers access to cloud networks and key resources. Monitor all privileged cloud users, including system administrators and key managers, 24/7 to decrease cybersecurity risks and boost accountability. PAM and UAM protect cloud infrastructure against privileged accounts. Tracking cloud privileged user activities Control privileged accounts. Create custom reports to export monitored data.
Conclusion
We must secure mobile and cloud settings in today’s linked society. These best practices help individuals and businesses safeguard sensitive data and processes. Stay attentive, upgrade your systems, and train yourself and your team on new security dangers and solutions. By doing so, you may confidently use mobile and cloud technologies while minimizing risks.
