Complex Security Problems Solved by Technology Experts

For decades, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) has been the primary means of data protection across the Internet. SSL is still one of the main ways data is encrypted and, in most cases, it generally works as it should. However, when problems arise, it may be more difficult to troubleshoot. Users may have issues in trying to verify the SSL certificate, receive error messages, or experience time-outs.

Encryption is extremely important to business and government agencies that require a high level of data security. In the last decade, more companies and agencies have integrated the use of smartphones into their operations, increasing the need for more sophisticated technology to keep their data safe.

Mobile devices present unique challenges for corporations. Their portability inevitably increases the risk of loss, damage and theft. If any of these occur, it can spell disaster for your business. On company-issued devices, it may be easier to monitor installed applications and security settings. However, for employees who use their personal device to access company email or to collaborate on projects, a lack of authoritative security is a real concern. Initially, it is cost-effective to allow employees to use their personal devices for work purposes. However, if this approach is taken, security needs to be a top priority.

Email Encryption

Email is arguably one the most vulnerable applications in general, and emails accessed from a mobile device may be even more at risk. Businesses need to be extremely vigilant about the possibility of proprietary information landing in the wrong hands. Software companies have long realized the need for better cell phone encryption and have developed some excellent tools to protect your data.

Sophos Ltd. has developed a line of security software products designed to help businesses in developing a secure ecosystem. Sophos Mobile Control is designed to make the process of securing business applications easier to implement from behind the scenes.

Mobile Email Management (MEM) is a way to manage user access to business emails while maintaining a higher level of monitoring than standard email applications are able to offer. MEM is able to deploy your requested security protocol over the air and acts as an added layer of security for gateway access. Mobile Email Management is also extremely valuable for controlling data after an employee leaves a company. Once employees move on, they are not able to take corporate emails with them. This feature alone could help businesses to avoid costly and potentially damaging data leaks.

Smartphone Device Security

Mobile Device Management (MDM) allows administrators to implement over-the-air security protocols. MDM is able to be to encrypt data on iPhones, iPads, Android, and Windows devices, and there is virtually no device that cannot be configured. The use of the MDM technology ensures a higher level of encryption that surpasses the current security of these devices out of the box. Once MDM is in place, it makes it considerably more difficult for users to sidestep pre-defined security protocols and lessens the risk of data breaches.

Android devices present more vulnerabilities than iOS and Windows devices due to their open API policies. Sophos provides exclusive anti-virus safeguards for Android devices to effectively reduce the risk of catastrophic data loss. In addition to the aforementioned benefits of MEM, the Android-specific Mobile Control integration also detects malware and other outside vulnerabilities that could compromise these devices. All new apps are automatically scanned, infected devices are isolated and websites that are known to be harmful are automatically restricted.

Secure Network Compliance

With the many types of mobile devices accessing company networks at once, maintaining a secure way to access the network is high priority. Sophos’ Mobile Control provides a way to continuously monitor the devices that connect to your network and polls for common vulnerabilities like jailbroken or hacked devices, unauthorized apps, and vulnerable mobile settings. Depending on these settings, a user may be restricted from accessing your company’s secure VPN or Wi-Fi.

The beauty of the software and technology solutions offered by Sophos is that they are all designed to work together to create a cohesive and seamless experience for IT departments and end users. The result is a solution that works as it's intended without the hassle of forcing applications to play nice with each other and users experiencing frustration when they do not.

Encryption solutions are important for companies of any size, but are especially beneficial for larger businesses that are required keep tabs on hundreds or even thousands of devices. Having strong team of IT professionals dedicated to protecting corporate information is critical, and making good use of available software solutions can only enhance protocols that are already in place. The peace of mind provided by having proper mobile data security solutions cannot be stressed enough.

4 Free Mobile Apps That Increase Data Security

Mobile phones have revolutionized communication in the past few decades, and smartphones enable people to do handle more of their personal and business tasks without being tied to a landline or personal computer. Estimates show that a growing number of Americans have even completely given up their landline in favor of using their mobile phone as their sole phone.

With so much data stored in devices that are inherently at higher risk of being lost or stolen, security is obviously pretty important. Modern phones are equipped with stock security features out of the box, but depending on your usage this may not be enough. The following free mobile applications can be installed to augment standard security features and give you peace of mind should anything happen to your phone.

1. Red Phone – Security for Phone Calls

If you frequently find yourself making phone calls in which sensitive information is shared back and forth, or you just desire more privacy, call encryption may prove extremely valuable. Developed by Open Whisper Systems, Red Phone works by encrypting calls placed from your regular phone application, but the actual transmission is over Wi-Fi or cellular data and does not affect your carrier-allotted minutes. The main advantage of this is that your cellular provider does not have access to any data associated with the phone calls you make. Calls that you make will not appear on your monthly statement, so prying eyes cannot see who you have been in contact with. The Red Phone app, which is offered as a free download, is currently available only for Android devices.

2. Enlocked – An Added Layer of Privacy for Email

If you fall within the category of smartphone users that need a bit more privacy when using email, Enlocked is an application that makes the experience infinitely more secure. Data breaches occur via email at an alarming rate and unfortunately stock smartphone email applications simply cannot guarantee that this won’t happen to you.

Enlocked works in conjunction with the most popular email applications such as Outlook, Yahoo Mail, and Gmail, as well as Exchange email accounts that are often used for corporate email communications. Rated “excellent” by PC Mag and recipient of their Editor’s Choice award, Enlocked has consistently receives solid reviews from its users. Available for both Apple and Android devices, Enlocked can be downloaded for free for the App Store and Google Play, respectively.

3. Wickr – Secure Text Messaging

Times have changed, and people are using text messaging at astonishing rates. Carriers for the most part have adopted unlimited text messaging as part of their cellular service plans. People not only use texting for their personal use, but also as a way to communicate business and other sensitive information.

The San Francisco-based software company Wickr has created an application that boasts “military grade encryption” for text messaging. Not only are text messages encrypted, all messages routed through the Wickr app have an expiration date ranging from a few hours to several days depending on individual user settings within the app. This is great for people who are sending sensitive data and don’t want to run the risk of data being compromised or referenced at a later time. Wickr’s Shredder feature allows you to remove pictures, texts and videos from your device and destroys any traces that they were ever on your device. Wickr is available for both Apple and Android smartphones and is also available as a desktop application for Windows, Mac and Linux computers.

4. CoverMe – Multipurpose Security

While most smartphones include a feature that allows you to lock your device in order to keep intruders out, there are limited options to secure individual applications. Once your phone is unlocked, photos, videos, contacts and text messages are vulnerable and can be accessed by anyone. CoverMe addresses this problem by providing application-level security in the event that your phone’s standard security features are bypassed somehow.

For phone calls, CoverMe gives users multiple options for masking their information when placing calls. Much like Wickr, CoverMe offers military grade call encryption, and you can also conceal call logs, contact information, and text messages from prying eyes. While CoverMe is a free download for both Apple and Android devices, prices for premium features start at $4.99.

Smartphones are powerful computers and often contain data that could be potentially harmful to our personal or professional lives. As smartphone technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, security is increasingly becoming more of a necessity and less of an afterthought. No matter how you use your phone, if you require a higher level of privacy for personal or business use, try some of these apps to see if they’re right for you.