The rise of remote and hybrid work has expanded the attack surface, introducing unique risks specific to mobile devices due to their portability, constant connectivity, diverse applications, and mix of personal and corporate data. They are vulnerable to malware, phishing, and data breaches — all threats to sensitive information. Additionally, the personal nature of these devices makes it complicated for IT and security teams to enforce robust security policies on them. As reliance on mobile technology grows, organizations need to balance delivering optimal experiences with prioritizing security to safeguard sensitive company data and keep employees’ devices secure. Mobile security is now a key component of any comprehensive modern security strategy. 

Modern attack strategies are changing 

Due to the increase in mobile device use for various business applications, attackers have expanded and adapted their attack strategies. Traditional attack methods targeting software vulnerabilities can be less effective on mobile devices, which often have stricter app controls. Instead, mobile attackers focus on social engineering, using phishing and “vishing” voice calls to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. Phishing is delivered a variety of ways: through fake emails, SMS messages (“smishing”), and physical and digital QR codes (“quishing”) with links to malicious websites. Once hackers gain credentials, they can access and infiltrate corporate networks, finding places to hide out and access valuable data. With abundant public information and phishing toolkits available on the dark web, social engineering attacks are easy to create and execute, posing a significant risk to organizations. 

Below are some findings from the Lookout Mobile Threat Report 2024 and the Verizon 2024 Mobile Security Index (MSI) that are startling: 

• 75% of organizations experienced mobile phishing attempts (Lookout)
• 25% of users tapped on at least one phishing link per quarter (Verizon)
• 3x increase in delivery of phishing, malicious, denylisted, and offensive links (Lookout) 

How Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense protects devices 

For many years, Workspace ONE^® has helped organizations across the world manage, protect, and enforce policies on millions of mobile devices. In response to customers facing increased threats to mobile devices and the challenges they experienced protecting their mobile fleet, we introduced a new solution. Now known as Omnissa Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense^™, our solution incorporates technologies from our partner, Lookout, a leader in the mobile security space. Our advanced mobile security solution protects Android, iOS, iPadOS, and ChromeOS devices via the Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub app. Embedding the solution within Hub and integrating it with the Workspace ONE platform greatly simplifies the deployment of advanced security capabilities, allows for seamless reporting, and enables automated threat response and workflows. 

Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense provides key protections from mobile threats and vulnerabilities: 

• Application and device security: The solution leverages industry-leading threat intelligence to detect malicious apps, identify vulnerabilities, and enforce security policies.
• Integrated phishing and content protection: With integrated phishing and content protection, our solution guards against phishing and malicious content and websites designed to steal login credentials or compromise data across various communication channels, including emails, SMS messages, and social media apps. Real-time analysis and machine learning algorithms detect and block malicious content.
• Rogue network detection: The solution secures your devices from suspicious networks, Wi-Fi access points, and machine-in-the-middle attacks. 

In addition, Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense prioritizes privacy and user experience while also simplifying management for IT teams by providing: 

• A unified agent: The agent is seamlessly integrated with Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub, eliminating the need for separate security applications and boosting user adoption. 
• Seamless integration for automated reporting and remediation: Leveraging the Workspace ONE platform, our solution enables seamless deployment and management via Workspace ONE UEM. Organizations gain real-time insights into mobile risks, can automate responses to security threats, and streamline IT incident workflows, thereby enhancing the overall security posture.
• Privacy-centric approach: Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense prioritizes user privacy, ensuring that no user content is monitored or inspected. Administrators have granular control over policies, allowing them to configure settings to protect personal information. 

This interactive demo explores how Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense works. 

Conclusion 

Safeguarding mobile devices is paramount to enterprise security — now and into the future. Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense offers a comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of modern organizations, providing advanced protection against a wide range of threats while helping ensure user privacy and seamless integration with existing workflows. 

Protect your enterprise against mobile threats with confidence. Learn more about Workspace ONE Mobile Threat Defense today.