How to Improve Mobile Device Security

Mobile Device security is a blind spot I see in a lot of organizations, they either have some level of management to meet compliance requirements, but no DLP or advanced security capabilities on them, or they are totally exposed in this area. Specific to BYOD, I always recommend taking a low friction approach to device management, using application management to containerize and manage just the Microsoft apps and corporate data on the device, rather than managing the whole thing at the device level with full mdm enrollment. It tends to be a great way to get users onboard and protected without any pushback related to the company "managing" their personal phone. Microsoft has released a new update for Defender for Endpoint on iOS that aligns with this low friction approach to management. Lets explore how it works: Implementing the Solution: A Step-by-Step Guide Intune Setup for User Enrollment: -Choose between account-driven or Company Portal-driven Apple User Enrollment in Microsoft Intune. This decision is pivotal as it defines how users will interact with their iOS devices in a BYOD context. Configuring Single Sign-On (SSO): -The Microsoft Authenticator app with SSO extension is essential for user enrollment on iOS devices. -Create a device configuration profile in Intune for the above and include two critical keys: i. App bundle ID: Add the Defender App bundle ID “com.microsoft.scmx”. ii. Additional configuration: Key “device_registration”; Type: String; Value: {{DEVICEREGISTRATION}}. Setting Up MDM Key for User Enrollment: -In Intune, go to Apps > App configuration policies > Add > Managed devices. -Select iOS/iPadOS as the platform and choose Microsoft Defender for Endpoint as the targeted app. -In the settings, use the configuration designer to add “UserEnrolmentEnabled” as the key, with the value type as String and value as True. Deploying Defender as a Required App: Push Microsoft Defender for Endpoint as a required app through the Volume Purchase Program (VPP) in Intune. This ensures that all user-enrolled devices have the necessary protection. Why This Matters for Your Organization Implementing Microsoft Defender for Endpoint on iOS devices is more than just a security measure; It ensures that your organization's data is protected on every device, while also respecting the privacy of your employees. This balance is key in maintaining trust and efficiency in a BYOD culture. I'm excited to see how this development enhances our approach to endpoint security. How do you plan to implement this in your organization? Check out the link in the comments to learn more. #MicrosoftDefender #EndpointSecurity #iOS #BYOD #Microsoft365 #CyberSecurity #DigitalWorkspace

It started with a 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 and 𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 $𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗲—𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱. 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 is a growing threat that can cost you more than just your phone number. In a recent case, a business owner had his account hacked, and within minutes, $100,000 was stolen. It's not an isolated incident—hackers are increasingly targeting mobile numbers to gain access to banking and other sensitive accounts. 𝗦𝗼, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴? In simple terms, it's when a scammer tricks your mobile carrier into 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 to a new SIM card they control. Once they have your number, they can 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘀, including those 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀 used to secure your accounts. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗼𝗻 - 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 Verizon offers a free service called 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸. This feature prevents your number from being transferred to another carrier without your permission. You can activate it through the My Verizon app or the Verizon website: 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽: Go to 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 > 𝗡𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 > Choose your number, and turn feature 𝗢𝗻. 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: Navigate to the Number Lock page, select "𝗢𝗻" next to your number, and save your changes. 𝗔𝗧&𝗧 - 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗨𝗽 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 AT&T allows you to set up extra security measures, such as adding a passcode to your account that’s required for changes to your service, including SIM swaps. 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽/𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: Go to your profile and select "𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻-𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼." Set your Wireless passcode under "𝗪𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀." Also scroll to 𝗠𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 and select 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 for the wireless account you want to update. 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 and enter your passcode. 𝗧-𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 - 𝗔𝗱𝗱 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 T-Mobile offers 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, which prevents unauthorized changes, including SIM swaps, without your explicit approval. 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗽𝗽/𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: To activate your 𝗦𝗜𝗠 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, log in to your T-Mobile account and find the settings under 𝗠𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 > 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 > 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. You can turn SIM Protection on or off for each line on your account using the toggles. Note that only the Primary Account Holder can remove SIM Protection, but Authorized Users can add it. Don’t wait until it’s too late—take these simple steps today to secure your mobile number and keep your accounts safe. #CyberSecurity #SIMSwapping #BusinessSecurity #DataProtection #MobileSecurity #FraudPrevention #SecureYourBusiness #CyberThreats Mike Rhea Intelligent Technical Solutions

1. Immediately update credentials for critical services—including Apple, Google, Facebook, and email—due to the exposure of 16 billion compromised records. 2. Implement unique, high-entropy passwords or passkeys for all accounts, managed securely via an enterprise-grade password manager; eliminate credential reuse. 3. Use a vetted, encrypted password manager with zero-knowledge architecture to securely store and autofill credentials across devices. 4. Activate phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (e.g., FIDO2 security keys or TOTP-based apps) across all sensitive systems. 5. Continuously monitor breach detection platforms and account activity to proactively identify and mitigate unauthorized access.

Smartphone usage in Africa has seen dramatic growth in recent years, with millions of users in countries like Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa relying on mobile devices for everything from communication to financial transactions. According to the GSMA Consumer Survey 2023, a significant percentage of mobile phone users in South Africa—19%—experienced theft or loss of their device in the past year alone. With mobile phones becoming essential tools for daily life, the theft of these devices can have far-reaching consequences. 🌍📱 In response, Android has introduced a suite of advanced theft protection features designed to safeguard users across the continent and beyond. With the release of Android 15 and a Google Play Services update, users around the world now have access to a range of tools designed to prevent theft, secure their devices, and protect their data. For a continent where smartphones are central to everything from education and banking to healthcare and e-commerce, these security features are a game-changer. As more people in Africa rely on their phones for critical services, the need for robust theft protection has never been more urgent. With Android’s advanced technology, users are now better equipped to keep both their devices and personal data safe from harm. Key features include:  Theft Detection Lock, which uses AI and machine learning to detect potential theft attempts, locking the device and alerting users to safeguard their data. Offline Device Lock, which activates if the device goes offline, blocking unauthorized access. Remote Lock, which allows users to lock their device remotely via any web browser, ensuring thieves can't gain control. Enhanced Security Layers in Android 15, such as requiring authentication to access sensitive settings and improving factory reset protection, making it harder for thieves to erase or resell stolen devices. For a continent where smartphones are central to everything from education and banking to healthcare and e-commerce, these security features are a game-changer. As more people in Africa rely on their phones for critical services, the need for robust theft protection has never been more urgent. With Android’s advanced technology, users are now better equipped to keep both their devices and personal data safe from harm. 🔐 #AndroidSecurity #TheftProtection #Google #TechForGood #DigitalSecurity #AfricaTech