Smartphone Security Risks

Smartphones, with all their convenience and utility, are at high risk for data breach. Common risks include:

• Physical theft – Even Apple employees leave their phones—even prototype iPhones!—unattended long enough to get stolen. When a phone’s data isn’t properly encrypted, a thief, no matter how tech-savvy, can access not only the phone owner’s personal information, but company data including emails, documents, and more.
• Data theft from discarded phones – When someone gets a new phone, it’s typically easy to transfer data from their old phone to the new model. But it’s not as simple to completely erase, or wipe, data from the old phone. When data isn’t properly removed and destroyed, it is up for grabs to anyone who gets access to the device.
• Unintentional or unknowing disclosure – Smartphone apps and location services can gain access to a lot of a phone or phone user’s information. Your employee may not realize how much access they are allowing when they download an app or upload a photo while using location services.
• Phishing – It happens on desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones—phishing. If an employee isn’t knowledgeable about phishing scams, an attacker can access and collect a great deal of data.

How to Keep Employee Smartphones Safe

• Require employees to use a password, PIN, or other means to control access to their phones. Encourage them to change the password often and keep it secret.
• Consider requiring employees to install anti-malware and anti-virus on their phones.
• Have your IT support set up SSL VPN access to company systems. When you establish a Secure Socket Layer virtual private network (SSL VPN), it will encrypt smartphone traffic while in transit between the device and the company network.
• Ask your IT support team what the best wireless security measures are and have those measures in place.
• If you issue company smartphones to employees, consider using device identification technology, which assigns a unique number to each phone and allows your IT support team to remotely disable the device if necessary.
• Encourage your employees to only download applications from trusted sources, such as their phone service providers’ app stores.

Your IT Support Can Help Protect Smartphone Data

Stay productive and secure with wireless security from your trusted IT support team. To learn more about employee smartphone security and best practices for your business, call Solvere One at (202) 905-2722.

Is Wi-Fi Safe Enough for Business?

Have you ever wondered what life would be like without wi-fi?  Coffee shops would be less crowded, laptop technology would not be as advanced as it is today and the iPhone may never have been invented.  Like petroleum, the world is addicted to wi-fi.  With all of wi-fi’s benefits, it is no wonder that its is as popular as it is today.  Below are outlined the key benefits and concerns related to wifi.

If you have questions about your wireless network security or would like to set up a VPN (virtual private network), call the team at Solvere One at (202) 905-2722 or contact us online. We have offices in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia and can assist you wherever you are.

Benefits of Using Wi-Fi

• Efficiency – Information transfer is fast and convenient.  For example, businesses can send price quotes to clients from remote locations.
• Flexibility  – End users are not restricted to one physical location when connecting to a wireless network.  This enables more efficient use of space within an office setting.
• Cost Effectiveness – Wireless networks are relatively cheap to install in an office environment.  It also enables greater options when selecting computer equipment.
• Accessibility – Wi-fi is quite popular in a public setting such as a coffee shop, bookstore, hotel or restaurant.  Its available signal makes it easy to connect to the internet.

What to Watch Out for When Using Wi-Fi

• Security – Wireless networks are considered more vulnerable to hacker attacks.  This involves unauthorized access to your personal network and can lead to sensitive information being stolen.  It is imperative to set up a strong password for your wireless network. In addition, encourage employees to use only HTTPS web sites and to enable SSL when using applications that connect to the internet. Wi-fi should be turned off when one is no longer using it.
• Coverage – Wireless coverage areas have a limited range of connectivity (often from 50-300 ft).  Be aware of the range of the wireless signal you are connecting to. It is very frustrating to be dropped from the internet simply because you stepped out of the coverage area.
• Speed – The transmission of data is usually slower than most wired networks. This is because wired networks generally support a greater bandwidth and can withstand greater amounts of network activity.

Make Sure Your Company’s Wi-Fi Is Secure

Don’t risk your company’s and your employees’ safety. Make sure your wireless network is secure. Call Solvere One at (202) 905-2722 for wireless business network security services in the DC area and beyond.