IT security vulnerabilities at pharmaceutical companies, transport companies and energy suppliers are frequently reported in the media. Most recently, the security vulnerabilities of Berlin’s water company were the topic of discussion. An actual cyber attack on a so-called KRITIS company could have far-reaching consequences: From supply and delivery bottlenecks to the disruption of general public safety. The protection of these critical infrastructures requires new ways and means thanks to modern means of communication such as smartphones and tablets, which are often used for private and business purposes at the same time. In the following blog post, we explain what these are and which aspects you should consider when choosing the right solution.
GDPR compliance
Especially with BYOD or COPE devices, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation is not always sufficiently guaranteed. Private messenger apps such as WhatsApp can read the user’s address book and, in the worst case, lead to data leakage, which poses a major risk for companies in terms of data protection law.
Separation of private and business data
As we all know, it is better to be safe than sorry: to avoid any risk, private and business data should always be used separately. Absolute taboo: Sending sensitive business documents via WhatsApp and co.
Encryption
Important data should be encrypted on BYOD devices in particular. The devices are more vulnerable than work computers simply because of their mobility. The risk of data falling into the wrong hands through loss or theft is high. At best, IT should be able to delete the data remotely.
User friendliness
The solution should be as user-friendly as possible so that it is accepted by employees. After all, only solutions that are actually used effectively increase protection against the dreaded cyber attacks.