Strategies for fortifying your mobile devices prior to the implementation of GDPR regulations
In the modern era of mobile technology, the influx of devices into both personal and professional lives has become a common occurrence. This proliferation of devices, however, has raised concerns about security, particularly in the context of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). With the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) set to take effect in May 2018, it is crucial for organizations to address potential vulnerabilities, especially those where sensitive data could be lost or exploited.
The Threat Landscape
The primary threats to sensitive data under BYOD in the context of GDPR compliance include data leakage due to mixing corporate and personal data, malware and ransomware infections spreading from personal devices to corporate networks, unsecured Wi-Fi connections allowing data interception, phishing attacks targeting user credentials, lost or stolen devices exposing unencrypted data, and the use of unauthorized apps for work purposes that may not meet GDPR standards.
A Comprehensive Strategy
To mitigate these threats and ensure GDPR compliance, organizations should implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that isolate work and personal environments through containerization, enforcing data separation without infringing on personal privacy. MDM tools must support local data storage, user opt-in consent mechanisms, and detailed access logging to comply with GDPR requirements.
Other recommended security measures include enforcing encryption, multi-factor authentication, use of VPNs over unsecured networks, installation of corporate-grade endpoint protection, clear and transparent BYOD usage policies explaining monitoring and data protection practices, and restricting or securely managing the use of unauthorized external storage or applications. Transparent communication to maintain employee trust while balancing oversight and privacy is also critical.
Employee Education and Training
Beyond technical safeguards, organizations should focus on ongoing employee training to recognise phishing attempts and safe handling of corporate data on personal devices. Technologies such as secure messaging platforms tailored for BYOD can further reduce risk by providing controlled, enterprise-grade communication channels.
Balancing Privacy and Compliance
In summary, combining privacy-focused MDM solutions, stringent policy enforcement, user education, and technical safeguards is essential to protect sensitive data under BYOD while meeting GDPR compliance obligations. This strategy addresses both data protection challenges and the need to maintain user privacy and trust.
As the technology world's most prominent and influential diversity program, nominations are now open for the Women in IT USA Awards 2018 in New York. Embracing BYOD should not be seen as opening up to more risk, but as an opportunity to better prepare for the changes coming with GDPR, as long as changes are implemented soon.
- To address the cybersecurity concerns associated with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) in the context of GDPR compliance, it is crucial for organizations to implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions that focus on data separation and adhere to privacy requirements.
- As data-and-cloud-computing technologies continue to evolve, policy-and-legislation, especially the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), plays a significant role in ensuring the security of sensitive information under BYOD.
- The modern era of mobile technology and politics intertwine in the debate over BYOD, with an emphasis on maintaining a balance between general-news headlines about potential data breaches and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees and businesses alike.
