Mobile Device Security

Mobile Device Security: Addressing Security on Mobile Platforms and Remote Work Environments

Introduction

In today's interconnected business landscape, mobile devices have evolved from simple communication tools into essential components of corporate infrastructure, fundamentally transforming how organisations operate and employees work. The rapid proliferation of smartphones and tablets in professional environments has created unprecedented opportunities for productivity and flexibility, yet it has simultaneously introduced complex security challenges that organisations must address proactively. With 80% of businesses still lacking strong mobile security measures despite cyber-attacks occurring every 19 seconds, the imperative for comprehensive mobile device security has never been more critical 1.

The shift towards remote and hybrid working arrangements has amplified these security concerns, as employees increasingly access corporate networks from diverse locations using personal and corporate devices. Half of businesses (50%) report having experienced some form of cyber-attack in the last 12 months 2, with mobile devices representing a particularly vulnerable attack vector due to their widespread use and inherent security limitations. Understanding and implementing robust mobile device security measures has become essential for protecting organisational assets whilst maintaining the operational flexibility that modern businesses require.

The Current Mobile Security Threat Landscape

Rising Attack Statistics and Trends

The mobile security threat landscape has experienced dramatic escalation over recent years, with concerning statistics highlighting the urgency of addressing mobile vulnerabilities. Cyber attacks on mobile devices increased by 50 per cent year-on-year in 2023, reaching almost 33.8 million attacks globally, with the UK accounting for 258,959 of these incidents 3. This substantial increase demonstrates how cybercriminals have recognised mobile devices as high-value targets that often lack adequate protection measures.

Recent research reveals that 50% of mobile devices are running on outdated operating systems, leaving them highly vulnerable to cyber-attacks 4. The situation is further complicated by the fact that more than 25% of mobile devices cannot upgrade to the latest OS, creating persistent security gaps that threat actors actively exploit 4. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning given that over 60% of iOS apps and 34% of Android apps lack basic code protection 4.

Emerging Mobile Threat Vectors

The sophistication of mobile threats has evolved substantially, with attackers leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced social engineering techniques. Mishing (mobile-targeted phishing) represents roughly one-third of threats identified by security researchers 5, whilst smishing (SMS phishing) comprises over two-thirds of mishing attacks 5. These attacks have risen substantially, with mobile phishing attacks increasing by 28% for vishing and 22% for smishing respectively 5.

Mobile threats are no longer a fringe problem, as highlighted by security experts who note that with so much sensitive data now accessible on phones since the mass migration to remote work and cloud services, attackers see mobile as a direct gateway to corporate assets 6. The integration of QR code phishing (quishing) has emerged as a particularly effective attack vector, with 16% of all mobile phishing incidents occurring in the US and attackers exploiting mobile-specific features like small screens and touch-based navigation 6.

Enterprise-Specific Vulnerabilities

The enterprise mobility landscape presents unique challenges that extend beyond consumer-focused threats. Enterprise mobility challenges range from security concerns to compatibility issues, posing significant risks to the integrity and efficiency of business operations 7. Ensuring the security of sensitive data has become one of the most significant challenges in managing enterprise mobility suites, given mobile devices' portable nature and likelihood of connecting to less secure networks 7.

Over 75% of apps contained at least one vulnerability in 2024, whilst unpatched flaws contributed to 60% of data breaches 8. This alarming statistic is compounded by the fact that nearly 60% of iOS apps and 43% of Android apps are vulnerable to PII data leakage 4, creating substantial risks for organisations handling sensitive personal information.

Email Security on Mobile Devices

Mobile Email Vulnerabilities

Mobile email access presents unique security challenges that differ significantly from desktop environments. 67% of cybersecurity leaders recognise the heightened risk of data loss via email when employees use mobile devices 9. The physical limitations of small touchscreens dramatically increase the chance of 'fat finger error', resulting in wrong information transmission, including selecting incorrect recipients, attaching wrong files, or accidentally selecting 'reply all' 9.

Spear-phishing attacks represent significant risks when using mobile devices for email, as mobiles tend to only display sender names rather than entire email addresses, making it more difficult to identify domain anomalies 9. This limitation is particularly problematic since many successful data breaches start from spear-phishing attacks 9, making mobile email security crucial for organisational protection.

Mobile-Specific Email Threats

The mobile email environment creates vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit. Mobile devices are more likely to act quickly, clicking on links or downloading attachments without thinking 10, whilst unsecured Wi-Fi and public networks expose users to data interception 10. Additionally, device loss or theft puts email accounts at risk if not properly secured 10.

Open rates for emails on smartphones vastly outnumber desktop equivalents, with 61.9% of email opens happening initially on mobile devices, compared to just 9.8% on desktop 11. This statistic highlights the critical importance of securing mobile email access, as the majority of email interactions now occur on potentially less secure mobile platforms.

Email Security Best Practices for Mobile

Organisations must implement comprehensive strategies to address mobile email vulnerabilities. Strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA) represent fundamental security requirements 10. Most major email services offer 2FA, which requires a second step—such as a text code or authentication app—to log in 10, adding critical protection layers when passwords are compromised.

Keeping apps and operating systems updated remains one of the simplest ways to reduce risk, as security updates often fix vulnerabilities that hackers exploit 10. Additionally, using trusted email clients only from reputable developers and downloading them from official app stores helps prevent malicious applications from compromising email security 10.

BYOD Security Challenges

The Growing BYOD Landscape

Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs have grown rapidly in recent years, with a 2022 survey showing that over 60% of organisations allow personal devices for work tasks 12. This trend highlights the many benefits of BYOD, including improved worker productivity on familiar devices, reduced company hardware expenses, and expanded remote work options 12.

However, BYOD security issues are on the rise, with experts warning of data theft, malware infections, and other risks 12. These dangers of BYOD can disrupt operations and leak sensitive data, making security measures essential when users connect BYOD devices to company networks 12. Without a strong BYOD security policy, BYOD vulnerabilities grow significantly 12.

Key BYOD Security Risks

The implementation of BYOD policies introduces multiple security vectors that organisations must address. When people use their own hardware, administrators lose some control, whilst different operating systems and software versions complicate oversight 12. BYOD cybersecurity threats can include malicious apps, outdated software, and easy entry points for attackers 12.

Device ownership issues represent a significant challenge, with 40% of employees accessing corporate emails on their personal devices 13. Employees bring their devices to the workplace, access emails on them, and keep saving and downloading corporate information, creating substantial risks when they leave the company 13. All that corporate information might remain accessible on their personal devices 13.

BYOD Security Mitigation Strategies

Effective BYOD security requires comprehensive policies and technical controls. Robust mobile device management is critical to avoid major BYOD attacks 12, with IT teams needing to adopt device security tools, enforce security measures, and monitor network access 12. Without those steps, the risks of BYOD can quickly outweigh its benefits 12.

Organisations should enforce strong authentication, network segmentation, and endpoint security as core BYOD protection measures 12. Mobile Device Management (MDM) software enables IT administrators to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints 14, providing centralised management capabilities essential for maintaining security across diverse device environments.

Advanced Mobile Security Technologies

AI-Powered Threat Detection

The integration of artificial intelligence into mobile security represents a significant advancement in threat detection capabilities. Machine learning algorithms analyse user behavior and network traffic to identify deviations from normal patterns which may indicate malicious activity 7. By continuously monitoring for abnormalities in user behaviour, organisations can rapidly detect and respond to threats whilst minimising potential damage 7.

The rise of sophisticated and large-scale mobile phishing campaigns reflects the evolving threat landscape 4, with cybercriminals leveraging phishing pages that appear official to exploit users' trust 4. This evolution requires equally sophisticated defensive measures that can adapt to emerging attack methodologies.

Mobile Application Security

Mobile application vulnerabilities represent a persistent weak point in organisational security. More than half a million mobile app security evaluations completed between January 2022 and February 2025 revealed that widespread and reproducible security vulnerabilities exist in the majority of tested mobile apps 15. Nearly 20% of apps contained hardcoded credentials, whilst certain applications stored usernames and passwords in accessible files 15.

Three-quarters of apps demonstrated weaknesses from third-party SDKs, and 15% utilised components with known security flaws 15. This finding is particularly concerning as third-party code amounts to about 60% of the code in an average application but remains largely untested 15. More than 75% of applications failed to remove debug symbols from their code, enabling attackers to reverse-engineer and exploit these applications 15.

Zero-Day Vulnerabilities and Platform Security

Recent security incidents highlight ongoing vulnerabilities in mobile platforms. 93% of the top iOS apps were vulnerable and could be successfully repackaged 16, whilst some of these repackaged iOS apps have been downloaded by unsuspecting users 16. This challenges the prevailing belief that iOS is leagues ahead of Android when it comes to mobile security 16.

Sideloading bypasses the official app stores' rigorous vetting processes 4, leaving devices exposed to malware and unauthorised code. Apps downloaded outside official stores are particularly risky, exposing users and organisations to Trojans and data leaks 4, making careful application management essential for maintaining security.

Remote Work Security Considerations

The Remote Work Security Challenge

The shift to remote and hybrid working models has fundamentally altered the security landscape. 55% of businesses suffered a security breach that involved a remote worker, with human error and weak security practices being primary causes 17. These incidents highlight the urgent need for organisations to adopt best practices to secure their mobile workforce 17.

When employees work remotely, the traditional security perimeter that protects office-based environments dissolves 17. Laptops, smartphones, and tablets used by employees are often connected to public Wi-Fi networks or home routers, making them more vulnerable to cyberattacks 17. Without the constant oversight of an IT team, employees may inadvertently expose sensitive data 17.

Network Security for Mobile Workers

Public Wi-Fi is notoriously insecure 10, requiring specific protections for mobile workers. If you must check email on a public network, use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your internet traffic and keep your data private 10. VPN services encrypt data between devices or between devices and internal networks 17, protecting activity and data from malicious parties.

Any mobile device connecting to an organisation's network remotely should use VPN protection 17, whilst organisations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) which provides an extra layer of security 17. With MFA, employees must verify their identity through two or more forms of authentication 17.

Best Practices for Securing Remote Mobile Workers

Organisations must implement comprehensive strategies to protect their distributed workforce. Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication (MFA) as fundamental security requirements 17. Strong passwords are the first line of defence against unauthorised access 17, whilst implementing multi-factor authentication provides an extra layer of security 17.

Regular security assessments and vulnerability scans help organisations identify and minimise potential security threats 7. Continuous monitoring and vulnerability management enable organisations to stay ahead of emerging threats 7, whilst automated patch management systems help streamline update processes 7.

How Amvia Enhances Mobile Device Security

Comprehensive Email Security Solutions

Amvia's advanced email security platform provides organisations with sophisticated mobile device protection that addresses the unique challenges of securing email communications across diverse mobile environments. Email security gateways are configured to recognise malware, spam, and viruses by scanning all email communications, including internal correspondence and incoming and internal traffic, plus any attachments or URL links that could prove harmful 18.

Amvia's solution includes AI-powered threat detection that provides intelligent, real-time protection 19 against the sophisticated mobile-targeted attacks that increasingly threaten organisations. The platform's enterprise-grade security protocols safeguard sensitive data 19 whilst ensuring 24/7 operational continuity through dedicated support services 19.

Mobile-Optimised Security Features

Amvia's managed Microsoft 365 solution enables workforce flexibility to work from any location, on any device 20, whilst maintaining robust security controls. The platform provides advanced threat protection and data backup 20 that specifically addresses the challenges of mobile email access and remote working environments.

The solution includes cutting-edge collaboration tools such as Teams and SharePoint 20 that are secured through comprehensive email security measures. With Amvia's managed Microsoft 365 solution, all that's required is an internet connection, enabling true mobility and remote work capabilities 20 without compromising security.

Cloud-Based Security Infrastructure

Amvia's cloud-based secure email gateways (SEGs) have the advantage of being scalable 18, adapting to varying traffic levels whilst maintaining consistent protection. Regardless of the level of traffic the system is handling, SEGs in the Cloud can quickly and easily be upscaled 18.

Leading email security gateways have an inbuilt dashboard that enables managers to run a series of reports and analytics 18, providing valuable insights into network security and mobile device threats. This comprehensive reporting capability helps organisations understand their mobile security posture and identify areas requiring additional attention.

Advanced Protection Against Mobile Threats

Amvia's email security solution addresses the specific vulnerabilities associated with mobile email access. State-of-the-art gateways have an email archive function that stores emails according to legal requirements and facilitate data management 18, ensuring compliance whilst maintaining security.

Cutting edge email security gateways have an inbuilt continuity feature that enables employees to access emails even in a compromised network 18, ensuring business continuity during security incidents. This capability is particularly important for mobile workers who may face network disruptions or security events whilst working remotely.

Implementation Strategies and Best Practices

Mobile Device Management (MDM) Implementation

Effective mobile security requires comprehensive device management strategies. MDM relies on endpoint software called an MDM agent and an MDM server in the cloud 14. IT administrators configure policies through the MDM server's management console, pushing those policies over the air to the MDM agent on the device 14.

Modern enterprise mobility products support major cloud platforms, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure 14, enabling IT administrators to remotely manage and secure smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop devices across multiple platforms 14. This comprehensive approach ensures consistent security policies across diverse mobile device environments.

Employee Training and Awareness

An informed user base is key defence against social engineering attacks and other security threats 17. Regular training and education of staff on cloud security enhances awareness and reduces risks of human error 17. Training that includes simulated attacks, safe browsing practices, password management, and multi-factor authentication encourages security awareness among users 17.

Mobile-specific training should address the unique risks associated with mobile email access, including recognition of mobile phishing attacks that exploit small screen limitations and touch-based interfaces. 68% of breaches involving a non-malicious human element 21 highlights the critical importance of comprehensive user education programmes.

Continuous Monitoring and Assessment

Organisations must implement continuous monitoring enables rapid detection and response to threats 7 whilst minimising potential damage 7. Implementation of continuous monitoring strategies allows organisations to stay ahead of emerging threats 7 and adapt security measures to address evolving attack vectors.

Regular security assessments and vulnerability scans help organisations identify and minimise potential security threats 7, whilst automated scanning capabilities detect and report vulnerabilities 7. This proactive approach enables organisations to address security gaps before they can be exploited by threat actors.

Conclusion

Mobile device security represents a critical component of modern cybersecurity strategies that organisations cannot afford to overlook. With cyber attacks on mobile devices increasing by 50% year-on-year 3 and 50% of mobile devices running outdated operating systems 4, the urgency for comprehensive mobile security measures has never been greater. The convergence of remote work adoption, BYOD policies, and sophisticated mobile-targeted attacks creates complex security challenges that require holistic solutions addressing both technological and human factors.

Success in mobile device security requires organisations to implement layered defence strategies that combine advanced threat protection, comprehensive device management, and robust user education programmes. The rise of sophisticated and large-scale mobile phishing campaigns 4 demands equally sophisticated defensive measures that can adapt to emerging attack methodologies whilst maintaining operational efficiency.

Amvia's comprehensive email security platform provides organisations with the advanced protection capabilities necessary to secure mobile devices and support distributed workforces. Through AI-powered threat detection, scalable cloud infrastructure, and seamless integration with existing business systems, Amvia enables organisations to realise the productivity benefits of mobile technologies whilst maintaining robust security postures. With proper implementation of mobile device security measures, supported by proven solutions like those provided by Amvia, organisations can confidently embrace mobile-first business strategies whilst protecting sensitive data and maintaining regulatory compliance.