How can you monitor employee mobile device usage without invading privacy?
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Mobile devices are essential tools for many employees, especially those who work remotely or travel frequently. However, they also pose significant security and compliance risks for businesses, as they can access sensitive data, applications, and networks. Therefore, it is important for employers to monitor how their employees use their mobile devices, but without violating their privacy or trust. In this article, we will explore some of the challenges and solutions for mobile device management (MDM) and how you can balance security and privacy.
Monitoring mobile device usage can help you protect your business from data breaches, malware, unauthorized access, and legal liabilities. For example, you can track the location of your devices, wipe them remotely in case of loss or theft, enforce security policies and updates, and audit compliance with regulations. Additionally, you can also improve productivity, performance, and efficiency by analyzing how your employees use their mobile devices, such as which apps they use, how much data they consume, and how they communicate.
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Daryl Brooks, CISSP
TS/SCI Cleared | SAFe 6.0 certified | LSS Green Belt | Section 508 Trusted Tester
It matters what exactly is being monitored. Is it just data usage or the assurance that only business related activities are being conducted on the company issued device? If the former, most MDM (mobile device management) software should be able to monitor user behaviors and any business related data on devices enrolled on the platform. If a company wants to monitor how the devices are being used by employees, they are well within their right to. Once an employee agrees to and signs a terms of use agreement upon the device's deployment then they must do their part to honor said agreement. They are using the company's device, on the company's network, at the company's expense, for company purposes.
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Amit B.
Program Manager @ Rakuten | CSM® | CSPO® | ITIL v4® | Google Project Management Certified
Tools like intune having company email configured on your phone already support capabilities to monitor specifics. The most significant aspect of doing this to ensure that the company confidential data is not lost when device is stolen which is more rampant than you can imagine Qouting channel Pro Netwrosks: 70 million smartphones are lost each year, with only 7 percent recovered. 4.3 percent of company-issued smartphones are lost or stolen every year. 80 percent of the cost of a lost laptop is from data breach. 52 percent of devices are stolen from the office/workplace, and 24 percent from conferences.
However, monitoring mobile device usage can also raise some privacy concerns, both for your employees and your customers. For instance, your employees may feel that you are invading their personal space, especially if they use their own devices for work (BYOD). They may also worry that you are accessing their personal information, such as contacts, photos, messages, and browsing history. Moreover, your customers may be reluctant to share their data with you if they know that you are tracking their interactions with your mobile apps or websites.
One of the best ways to address these privacy concerns is to establish a clear and transparent policy for mobile device management. This policy should outline the purpose, scope, and methods of monitoring, as well as the rights and responsibilities of both the employer and the employee. You should also communicate this policy to your employees and obtain their consent before implementing any monitoring tools. Furthermore, you should review and update your policy regularly to reflect any changes in technology, laws, or business needs.
If you're looking for a way to monitor mobile device usage without invading privacy, MDM software is an ideal solution. This type of software allows you to manage and secure all your devices from a central console, so that you can enroll and register devices, configure security settings and policies, distribute and update apps and content, monitor device activity, lock and wipe devices remotely, and troubleshoot and support devices. However, not all MDM software are the same. Make sure to choose one that meets your business needs, budget, and preferences. Look for features such as compatibility with different types of devices, scalability to accommodate your growth, ease of use and deployment, compliance with relevant standards and regulations, customization and integration with existing systems and tools, security and reliability for data protection.
Finally, respecting employee privacy when monitoring mobile device usage is essential. This includes only collecting and accessing data necessary and relevant for business purposes, informing employees about data collection and usage, limiting access and retention of the data to the minimum required, encrypting and anonymizing the data to prevent unauthorized or accidental disclosure, providing employees with options and controls over their data, and seeking feedback from employees. By following these tips, employers can create a secure yet positive mobile environment for their business and employees.