Unmanaged Devices: Hidden Threat

Unmanaged devices are devices that are neither owned by your company nor have your company’s security and management software on it. This includes personal phones and home computers used for work.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution to this problem.

BUT, it is a huge hole in your security plan. You have no idea if there is malware on those devices, whether it has any security software at all or if it is even password protected beyond 1-2-3-4. Or no password at all.

But, if you are like many companies, your data is on there.

And, when the employee leaves, the data is still on there.

If the device belongs to a contractor, the data could get comingled with another client’s data.

It is a business risk you have to decide if you are willing to accept.

Some industries have decided. For defense and for finance, unmanaged personal devices are out if you want to be compliant. It can be inconvenient to carry multiple devices, but getting breached is inconvenient too.

For computers and laptops, you can provide hosted virtual desktops. Done right, they solve that piece of the security puzzle. Which still leaves phones and tablets.

We have clients who say that if you want to use your personal device, you can, but we have to install our security and management software on it. Some people are okay with that, others not.

But you, as a business owner, have to decide how much risk you are willing to accept. The hackers understand that personal devices can be a gold mine. Is that okay with you?

If you need assistance with this, please contact us.

Credit: Dark Reading

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