With a mobile device manager (MDM), mobile devices can be reliably controlled, secured and managed for all imaginable usage scenarios via a central system. Well-known features of mobile device management such as smartphone tracking, automatic email configuration or remote deletion of data, however, no longer knock the socks off digital natives. MDM systems such as MobiVisor can do much more, and as fast as the technology is developing, more and more specific areas of application are emerging for a wide range of industries. In this blog series, we will present a selection of special MDM functions and application examples. The last two articles were dedicated to the 'KIOSK Mode' and the 'Container Setup'. Today, we will focus on advanced security features for data protection.
Smartphone apps collect a lot of personal data from users through various procedures. This already takes place to a large extent during the installation of the application or when passing its start screen. Often this happens unconsciously and inconspicuously. (But then again - who even reads the complete terms and conditions of the pizza delivery app?!) However, even during use, personal data can be requested in a hidden way through interactions such as commenting, rating or searching. In some cases, certain settings for data use can be selected so that only access rights during the application or for certain selected information, situations or functions are used - this is the exemplary app variant. In many cases, however, general access to a non-specific category of data is required. Some data queries are necessary (e.g. access to photos for an image editing app).
The user must inevitably agree to them, otherwise the app cannot fulfil its purpose. Other data accesses are highly questionable (e.g. requesting location data for a photo editing app) or completely unnecessary (e.g. accessing photos for a weather app). The request for personal information often serves to provide, secure and improve the app used. But it is precisely the data collected unnecessarily for the app function that often only serves commercialisation or the creation of personalised advertisements and profiles. And finally, the big question remains, what happens to the data after the app owner has used it? Is it stored and if so, where? We all know the cliché about our data being sold and then 'ending up in America, China or somewhere else without us knowing' (although after all, it was in the microscopically formatted T&C text of the pizza app, wasn't it?).
Data theft by leisure apps such as food delivery or shopping apps is annoying and unnecessary, but rarely leads to noticeably unpleasant consequences. It's quite a different story with corporate data. If it falls into the wrong hands, this can have a negative impact on employees, competition or customers and lead to regulatory problems. Information is considered the number one competitive factor; data loss is a priceless point of attack. Personal data, e.g. employee or customer data and files, as well as financial data and reports, project data, medical records, intellectual property, IT data - the list of sensitive information is endless. Anyone who wants to be successful today must therefore be able to make all relevant information both secure and available for authorised access. The onus is not on individual employees, but on the company management. Security gaps are mainly found in digital communication channels, metadata and cloud storage or other applications connected to the internet. This also explains why data protection is often so difficult, because what company does not work with online structures these days?
The bad news is: it will not be possible to prevent the greed for data so quickly, because information is synonymous with money and power. Unfortunately, data theft is even partially allowed because many apps make use of foreign rights. An example: If an artist wants to publish or present his or her work in Germany, this must not contradict German laws. If, on the other hand, a company brings software or an app onto the German market, it only has to comply with the regulations of its country of origin. That makes absolutely no sense? True! But it is unfortunately a grey area that uses and enjoys its existence. But there is also good news: spying can be largely prevented with a mobile device management system. In companies, this is more or less mandatory, because as soon as devices are issued to employees, the employer MUST have secured sensitive data, which virtually requires a data protection-compliant MDMs.
Our mobile device management system MobiVisor, for example, comes with a preset that ensures privacy-compliant use of apps and takes into account related regulations, such as the general GDPR. In this way, MobiVisor can inform about questionable app access and restrict or block all unsafe apps before any damage is done. The system thereby acts quite unobtrusively in the background as invisible protection without disturbing the user interface and is very simple and user-friendly. It can also be individually adapted to the needs of the respective company, so that data protection and company guidelines result in a coherent overall concept. To do this, you can choose from a pre-selection of already existing apps and functions or express your own wishes. Decide, for example, whether social media or private smartphone use may be used in the work context or determine configuration patterns such as password strength or memory settings. We at IOTIQ advise you on the necessary functions for the optimal set-up of your personal mobile device management system. In this way, we also give small and medium-sized companies that are not yet familiar with MDM systems a jump-start for secure data handling.
Do you have questions about mobile device management or are you interested in more information and possibilities that this technology can offer you? Then please feel free to contact us. We will give you a free consultation and find your personal potential. Our team of experts at IOTIQ has already set up an individual MDM system via our MobiVisor app for some customers, such as Diakonie Berlin. You can find more information HERE.
In the next articles of this blog series, we will present more MDM features. Follow us on Instagram and stay up to date!