2 days Ago
Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin Ruchir Brahmbhatt is Co-Founder and CTO of Ecosmob . getty In today’s flexible work landscape, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies are becoming increasingly popular, allowing employees to use personal devices for work. However, this poses some unique challenges in unified communications (UC) environments.
BYOD and UC, once seen as separate tech trends, have converged into a powerful combination. The promise of increased productivity and flexibility is undeniable, but the security risks are equally daunting. So, how do you strike the perfect balance between productivity and security? The answer lies in first identifying the potential risks.
Understanding The Unique Risks In UC Environments UC integrates various communication tools like messaging, voice, video and collaboration into one platform, which can streamline operations and enhance productivity. However, when employees use personal devices, it opens up avenues for potential security breaches. Securing BYOD in UC environments requires a deep understanding of the risks and how to mitigate them.
Here are some of the common threats your BYOD strategy needs to protect against: • Device-Centric Threats: Personal devices often lack robust security, making them targets for malware, ransomware and data loss. Also, employees may install unauthorized apps, bypassing security controls. Industries with strict regulations such as finance and healthcare face increased risks.
MORE FOR YOU Hackers Force Chrome Users To Hand Over Google Passwords, Here’s How Google Chrome Deadline—You Have 72 Hours To Update Your Browser Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Monday, September 16th • Network-Based Threats: Wi-Fi vulnerabilities, man-in-the-middle attacks and DDoS attacks can compromise devices and data. • User Error: Employees can introduce risks by clicking phishing links, using weak passwords or mishandling sensitive data, which could be stolen or leaked through personal devices. • Insider Threats: Access can be exploited to steal data, sabotage systems or cause disruptions.
Strategies For Securing BYOD In UC Environments function loadConnatixScript(document) { if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.
cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.
style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.
contentWindow.document; var script = iframeDoc.createElement('script'); script.
src = '//cd.elements.video/player.
js' + '?cid=' + '62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; script.setAttribute('defer', '1'); script.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); iframeDoc.
body.appendChild(script); }; document.head.
appendChild(iframe); const preloadResourcesEndpoint = 'https://cds.elements.video/a/preload-resources-ovp.
json'; fetch(preloadResourcesEndpoint, { priority: 'low' }) .then(response => { if (!response.ok) { throw new Error('Network response was not ok', preloadResourcesEndpoint); } return response.
json(); }) .then(data => { const cssUrl = data.css; const cssUrlLink = document.
createElement('link'); cssUrlLink.rel = 'stylesheet'; cssUrlLink.href = cssUrl; cssUrlLink.
as = 'style'; cssUrlLink.media = 'print'; cssUrlLink.onload = function() { this.
media = 'all'; }; document.head.appendChild(cssUrlLink); const hls = data.
hls; const hlsScript = document.createElement('script'); hlsScript.src = hls; hlsScript.
setAttribute('defer', '1'); hlsScript.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); document.head.
appendChild(hlsScript); }).catch(error => { console.error('There was a problem with the fetch operation:', error); }); } } loadConnatixScript(document); (function() { function createUniqueId() { return 'xxxxxxxx-xxxx-4xxx-yxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx'.
replace(/[xy]/g, function(c) { var r = Math.random() * 16 | 0, v = c == 'x' ? r : (r & 0x3 | 0x8); return v.toString(16); }); } const randId = createUniqueId(); document.
getElementsByClassName('fbs-cnx')[0].setAttribute('id', randId); document.getElementById(randId).
removeAttribute('class'); (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.elements.
video/tr/si?token=' + '44f947fb-a5ce-41f1-a4fc-78dcf31c262a' + '&cid=' + '62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; cnxel.cmd.push(function () { cnxel({ playerId: '44f947fb-a5ce-41f1-a4fc-78dcf31c262a', playlistId: 'aff7f449-8e5d-4c43-8dca-16dfb7dc05b9', }).
render(randId); }); })(); To tackle these challenges head-on, organizations must adopt advanced strategies beyond basic security measures. Here are some tried and tested approaches to improve BYOD security in UC environments: 1. Implement a registration process and develop comprehensive BYOD policies.
First, implement a device registration process. Only approved devices meeting security standards should be allowed to access UC systems. To manage the diversity of device models, operating systems and configurations, establish unified security standards that all devices must meet.
Also, make sure to define acceptable use policies, detailing which applications and services can be used. Include provisions for regular compliance checks. Finally, implement application whitelisting to ensure only approved apps can be installed and used.
In our early BYOD rollout, we encountered devices connecting without proper vetting, leading to inconsistent security practices. Later, we noticed an improvement in security compliance after introducing a formal registration process, which ensured that all devices adhered to stringent security policies before accessing the UC network. 2.
Deploy advanced mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Next, you can deploy mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce your established security standards across different platforms. MDM solutions provide real-time monitoring and threat detection, allowing you to quickly identify and respond to unusual activities like unauthorized access attempts or potential malware infections.
Through MDM, you can also remotely lock or wipe compromised devices, enforce encryption and manage app installations, ensuring that only approved applications are in use. While introducing MDM, we found that it significantly improved the management of our network's wide array of devices. The centralized control over security protocols helped us maintain a much more secure environment as the diversity of devices increased.
3. Strengthen data encryption and network security. Following that, it’s crucial to enhance data encryption and network security within your UC environment.
You can start by implementing network segmentation to isolate personal devices from critical infrastructure, limiting the potential damage if a device is compromised. Make sure that all data transmitted through your UC tools is encrypted end to end, safeguarding it from interception. Network protocols like TLS and SRTP should also be used and regularly updated to address any newly discovered vulnerabilities.
Implementing network access control (NAC) can also help you enforce security policies and restrict access for unapproved devices and applications. In our organization, strengthening these measures significantly reduced unauthorized access attempts. For us, it was indeed an essential step in preserving the integrity of our communication systems, especially as more employees accessed them from various personal devices.
4. Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) and biometric verification. To strengthen security further, you must implement multifactor authentication (MFA) and biometric verification.
MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors to access your UC tools and corporate resources. Using biometric verification methods like fingerprint scanning or facial recognition further ensures that only authorized individuals have access. Although some of our employees were initially hesitant about these measures, they quickly adapted once they understood the security benefits, making MFA and biometric verification an essential safeguard.
5. Conduct penetration testing and security audits. Penetration testing and regular security audits are essential to identify and address vulnerabilities in a UC environment.
Periodic audits also help you evaluate the effectiveness of BYOD policies and MDM solutions. Penetration testing, which simulates potential attacks, is very useful in finding hidden weaknesses. This proactive approach helps avoid potential security challenges.
We realized the importance of continuous audits after a penetration test revealed unexpected vulnerabilities. Since then, regular audits have been a crucial part of our security strategy. 6.
Promote continuous security training and awareness. Lastly, promoting continuous security training and awareness among employees is crucial. Even with the best technology in place, human error remains a significant risk.
Clear communication about the reasons behind security measures, coupled with user-friendly solutions, can help your team comply. You can implement training programs to educate employees about the latest threats and best practices. Regular phishing simulations can also assess employee readiness and reinforce the importance of caution.
In our case, security training has helped reduce many risky behaviors like using unsecured Wi-Fi or weak passwords. Even such basics can go a long way. Securing BYOD in UC environments isn't just about protecting data—it's about safeguarding the very foundation of your business.
By implementing innovative policies and cultivating a proactive security culture, you’re not just reacting to threats but staying ahead of them. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?.
