Best Practices for Securing Mobile Devices in Enterprise Environments

Key Takeaways:

  • Mobile devices are critical enterprise endpoints that need the same strong security as traditional systems. However, the increasing blend of personal mobile devices for business use cases is creating a security headache. 

  • Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions with real-time monitoring and anomaly detection to maintain control over mobile devices.

  • Huntress Managed Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) and Managed Security Awareness Training (MSAT) work together to provide 24/7 monitoring, detect behavior-based threats, and defend against identity-based attacks for comprehensive mobile security. Huntress Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) protects desktops and servers, but doesn’t run on mobile devices like phones or tablets.

Powerful, independent, and constantly transmitting data, mobile devices today are like spacecraft. These pocket-sized Voyagers traverse the vast digital galaxy, accessing sensitive corporate applications and data. But without guidance from mission control (your IT department), they can easily veer off course into a galaxy of risk.

Mobile phishing is now the top threat vector, with nearly one in three corporate data breaches starting on a compromised mobile device. That’s why keeping up with enterprise mobile device security best practices is the best way to keep your data and people protected. 

Check out our enterprise cybersecurity guide.



Best Practices for Securing Mobile Devices in Enterprise Environments

Key Takeaways:

  • Mobile devices are critical enterprise endpoints that need the same strong security as traditional systems. However, the increasing blend of personal mobile devices for business use cases is creating a security headache. 

  • Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions with real-time monitoring and anomaly detection to maintain control over mobile devices.

  • Huntress Managed Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) and Managed Security Awareness Training (MSAT) work together to provide 24/7 monitoring, detect behavior-based threats, and defend against identity-based attacks for comprehensive mobile security. Huntress Managed Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) protects desktops and servers, but doesn’t run on mobile devices like phones or tablets.

Powerful, independent, and constantly transmitting data, mobile devices today are like spacecraft. These pocket-sized Voyagers traverse the vast digital galaxy, accessing sensitive corporate applications and data. But without guidance from mission control (your IT department), they can easily veer off course into a galaxy of risk.

Mobile phishing is now the top threat vector, with nearly one in three corporate data breaches starting on a compromised mobile device. That’s why keeping up with enterprise mobile device security best practices is the best way to keep your data and people protected. 

Check out our enterprise cybersecurity guide.



What is mobile device security?

Mobile device security includes all the tools, strategies, and policies used to protect data stored or accessed on smartphones, tablets, and other portable endpoints. It includes protection from unauthorized access, malware, data leakage, and device loss or theft.


Endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions typically don’t support mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Instead, mobile device security relies on mobile device management (MDM), identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and managed security awareness training (MSAT) to protect these endpoints effectively. 

To navigate the galaxy of risks, businesses need comprehensive enterprise mobile security solutions to protect sensitive corporate data across every mobile endpoint.


What is enterprise mobile device management?

Mobile device management (MDM) is a software solution that allows organizations to monitor, manage, and secure employees’ mobile devices. MDM makes sure mobile endpoints comply with company policies and stay protected, whether they’re docked in the office or orbiting halfway across the world.  


Equipping your fleet with the right enterprise mobile device management software gives your IT teams the right to enforce security protocols, track devices in real time, and launch rapid responses. This all helps to keep your digital spacecraft on course.


Threats in the digital cosmos

Warning: This isn't science fiction. It’s happening now. 

Imagine an employee accessing your sensitive company systems from their unmanaged, unsecured personal mobile device. The employee saves their corporate password to their personal Google account on their personal phone. A threat actor later compromises their personal Google account, steals their business credential, and uses them to access your systems.  

Much like high-tech spacecraft, today’s mobile devices are equipped with advanced tech, such as email access,  internal comms tools, and more. Each one of these features is a potential attack vector. Common mobile threats include:


  • Credential theft:Sophisticated phishing campaigns trick users into revealing login credentials. 

  • Data exfiltration: Malicious apps silently harvest corporate data. Example: The iRecorder Android app, which started as a legitimate screen recorder, was later updated to covertly record audio and exfiltrate sensitive files from over 50,000 devices.

  • Device loss or theft: A misplaced smartphone with cached corporate credentials can act as a launchpad for attackers. Real case: In 2012, a NASA crew member lost a government-issued smartphone, loaded with cached credentials and sensitive data.

  • Unsecured networks: Public Wi-Fi allows man-in-the-middle attacks.

  • Unpatched OS/app vulnerabilities: Poor patching can create exploitable weaknesses.



Make enterprise mobile device management command and control

Enterprises need to keep tight control of their digital fleets. MDM platforms offer:


  • Real-time monitoring: Track device location, assess compliance, and detect potential incidents.

  • Anomaly detection: Identify unusual patterns that may indicate compromised devices.

  • Forensic data collection: Investigate and respond to breaches with detailed mobile activity logs.

What can MDM see? 

MDM platforms can view:

  • Installed apps and OS versions

  • Device encryption and compliance status

  • Location and connection history

  • Access attempts and behavior anomalies


Launching your mobile security strategy

You need to shield your spacecraft from radiation and cosmic rays, and the same goes for securing mobile endpoints. Use the following:

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Even if passwords are stolen, MFA adds additional verification steps like biometrics or one-time pass codes.

Application containerization

Containerizing corporate apps creates secure compartments. Business data stays protected and sealed away, even if personal apps or content are compromised.

Fast patch management

Unpatched apps or OS vulnerabilities are open portals for attackers. Timely updates close those doors before intruders can enter.

Real-time monitoring

Continuous telemetry analysis reveals suspicious behavior. Advanced tools detect unusual traffic, alert teams, and stop incidents before they spread.

Managed security awareness training (MSAT)

Since mobile phishing is a top threat vector, ongoing MSAT builds user awareness to recognize phishing attempts and avoid risky behavior on mobile devices.


Intelligence and integration with Huntress

Modern security needs intelligence and integration. To really stay ahead of mobile-borne threats, you need advanced tools like Huntress Managed ITDR and Managed Security Awareness Training (MSAT). Together, they correlate mobile activity with broader identity-based threats.

Huntress managed ITDR

  • Secures identities and email across Microsoft 365 

  • Blocks credential theft, malicious rules, and session hijacks

  • Acts as the first line of defense against identity-based attacks

  • And more!




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