Smart devices are not limited to our personal use now. The convenience offered by smart devices has compelled businesses to embrace them in the workplace. The modern organizations use smart devices to stay competitive and effective. While smart devices offer you many advantages, they are not free of security risks. As the usage of smart devices rises in the workplace, it becomes critical to take measures to defend your business from cyber threats.

Many people think cybersecurity is just for your computer networks and systems. The fact is that cyber attacks on smart devices have multiplied manifold. According to a study by McAfee, cyber attacks on smart devices have surged by about 600 percent in one year. The rate at which the attacks are carried out is increasing each year.

There are two primary types of security risks associated with using mobile devices in the workplace. First, your mobile may get lost or stolen. Second, cybercriminals may launch malicious attacks on your mobile device. Your smartphones and tablets are at risk of being snatched or stolen. Keep in mind that your mobile devices save your passwords in order to keep give you access to your email and other apps. When someone gets hold of your smart device, they can easily access your passwords and other critical business information.

So, how can you protect your device from unauthorized access? First off, be sure to lock your tablet or phone with a strong PIN or password. Furthermore, be sure to make your phone time sensitive, meaning it should get locked after a few minutes of inactivity. Also, use your mobile pone’s company’s services to erase or lock your device remotely if it is stolen or lost.

When it comes to the risk of malicious attacks, your mobile device is highly exposed to malware and viruses. According to one study, only 20 percent of mobile device users use antiviruses on their phone and tablets. When your phone has no antivirus, it can be hacked by cybercriminals. Also, keep in mind that third-party apps are at greater risk of malware attacks. Such apps can lead to unauthorized use of your smart device. You should make sure that your employees are not using unauthorized apps on their company’s smartphones and tablets. They should install apps from only the trusted sources.

It is also important to keep in mind that cybercriminals can use ransomware to block your access to your mobile device or device data. They will then ask you to back them ransom to regain access to your device or data. Moreover, when you pay the ransom, there is no guarantee you will regain access to your critical data or device. Furthermore, you must not connect your smartphones and tablets to open Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.