Phones and tablets now hold the keys to your business - email, files, customer data and access to your systems. Yet mobile security is often an afterthought compared with laptops and servers. This checklist closes that gap with practical, achievable steps every UK business should take.
1. Lock every device
It sounds obvious, but an unlocked phone is an open door. Enforce a strong passcode or biometric lock on every work device, with automatic locking after a short idle period. This is your first and most important line of defence if a phone is lost or stolen.
2. Turn on encryption
Modern phones encrypt their storage by default when a passcode is set - but confirm it is enabled across your fleet. Encryption means that even if someone removes the storage, the data is unreadable.
3. Deploy Mobile Device Management
MDM is the backbone of business mobile security. It lets you enforce all of these policies centrally and, crucially, remotely wipe a device that goes missing. If you take one action from this list, make it MDM.
4. Keep software up to date
Operating system and app updates fix security holes. Enable automatic updates and use MDM to ensure devices aren't running outdated, vulnerable software. This is the mobile equivalent of patch management on your computers.
5. Control apps and downloads
Restrict installation of risky apps, and only allow company data in trusted, managed apps. On BYOD devices, keep work data in a managed container separate from personal apps.
6. Use multi-factor authentication
Pair mobile access to company systems with multi-factor authentication, so a stolen password alone isn't enough. This ties into your wider Microsoft 365 security setup.
7. Beware public Wi-Fi and phishing
Train staff to avoid sensitive work on untrusted public Wi-Fi, and to recognise phishing texts (smishing) and calls. Mobile phishing is rising fast - the same vigilance you apply to email phishing applies here.
8. Train your team
Technology only goes so far - your people are the deciding factor. A short, regular briefing on locking devices, reporting losses immediately and spotting scams pays for itself many times over.
Make it effortless
The best mobile security is the kind your staff barely notice while it quietly protects the business. Our Mobile Products service builds this in from day one. Request a callback to secure your mobile fleet.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key mobile security best practices?
Lock every device, enable encryption, deploy MDM, keep software updated, control apps, use multi-factor authentication and train staff to spot phishing.
What is the single most important mobile security control?
Mobile device management, because it lets you enforce security centrally and remotely wipe a lost or stolen device before data is exposed.
Are mobiles really a security risk for business?
Yes. Phones hold email, files and access to systems, so an unsecured or lost device is a serious risk that needs managing like any other endpoint.
