Many people rely on well-known applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for quick communication with colleagues. In our last blog post, we explained why these private applications provide criminals with many gateways for attacks. This poses a major threat, and not just for KRITIS companies.
But how can KRITIS operators eliminate this risk?
Employees are often unaware of the dangers posed by private apps. IT administrators need to raise awareness of the risks and problems associated with the use of unauthorized apps in terms of data protection and security. This is the only way to give them the necessary understanding of secure and GDPR-compliant alternatives. This will also prevent mobile shadow IT and thus the risk of data leaks from growing.
User-friendliness should not be forgotten either. After all, employees will only use an application and not switch to alternatives if they are satisfied with it and can complete their tasks easily.
With container technology, all these points can be taken into account in a communication solution. The business area is strictly separated from the private area on a mobile device. If an attacker gains access to the mobile device, the container prevents them from gaining access to business data. With this concept, all private applications are also denied access to the contents of the container. In addition, all data is protected both on the device and during transmission. In order to really take the user experience to a high level, a wide range of functions for mobile working should also be covered. These include encrypted e-mail, hardened Internet browser for secure file sharing and intranet applications, calendar, secure camera as well as encrypted messaging and telephony.
Access to systems or the intranet is always via a secure channel. In addition, the communication participants and data remain in the company directories or in the container and are certified and protected by the central IT department. This works differently with public messengers such as WhatsApp, where participants are only identified by a telephone number. It is therefore never possible to determine exactly who is behind it.
KRITIS operators in particular need to protect their mobile communication from a wide range of security risks. A container solution such as SecurePIM effectively protects smartphones and tablets against attacks by cyber criminals. In addition, KRITIS companies regain full control over their data through the strict separation of business and private data.