Dealership employees seek the flexibility to work from anywhere. While mobile devices offer this flexibility, they also increase the dealership’s attack surface, providing cybercriminals with an easily exploitable entry point into the dealership’s network. Currently, mobile devices account for more than 60 percent of digital fraud, and one in three organizations has experienced a data breach stemming from a mobile device. The growing use of mobile devices in dealerships, coupled with the rise in mobile device security threats, underscores the importance of implementing effective Mobile Device Management (MDM) practices. Here are key strategies to enhance your dealership’s mobile device security:

1. Centralize Control: Utilize an MDM solution to manage and enforce security policies across all devices, including employee-owned devices. This central control enables remote configuration, security policy deployment, and real-time issue remediation.
2. Establish Strong Policies: Define clear guidelines for device usage, password complexity, data encryption, and network access. Specify authorized connection parameters to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
3. Password Security: Enforce strict password policies, including password expiration and the use multi-factor authentication. Monitor access attempts and promptly address any unauthorized activity.
4. Active Device Monitoring: Implement measures to restrict access to sensitive data and scrutinize downloaded applications for compliance with security standards.
5. Regular Backups: Schedule frequent backups of mobile device data to minimize the impact of technical failures and cyberattacks.
6. Prompt Patching: Encourage timely updates of mobile device operating systems to address known vulnerabilities and enhance security.

By prioritizing these MDM best practices, your dealership can effectively mitigate the risks associated with mobile device use.