Managing remote devices securely is critical for protecting sensitive data and ensuring smooth business operations. With remote work on the rise, businesses face increased risks like data breaches, unsecure communication, and lack of employee training. Here’s a quick summary of the 10 key steps to secure your remote devices:

• Define device usage rules: Set clear guidelines for acceptable use and security protocols.
• Use device management software: Centralize monitoring, automate updates, and enforce policies.
• Strengthen authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication and passwordless solutions.
• Automate updates: Ensure devices stay current with security patches.
• Monitor device health: Use alerts and regular scans to track compliance.
• Disable compromised devices: Remotely lock or wipe flagged devices.
• Train employees: Provide ongoing cybersecurity training tailored to remote work.
• Update policies regularly: Adapt security measures to emerging threats and technologies.

Tools like Bravas simplify these steps with features like centralized management, real-time monitoring, and automated provisioning. By following these practices, you can protect your organization while enabling remote productivity.

Practical Demo: Managing Device Security in the Remote ...

Device Management Fundamentals

Managing devices remotely while keeping them secure means understanding potential risks and the necessary precautions. For SMBs, applying these principles is essential to safeguard data across distributed teams.

Business Risks of Unsecured Devices

In 2022, enterprises managed over 100,000 devices, with nearly half of them compromised. This level of exposure introduces several serious risks:

• Data breaches: Human error is a major factor, causing 74% of incidents.
• Unsecure communication: Nearly 48% of remote workers rely on personal email accounts for work, increasing the chance of unauthorized access.
• Lack of training: Around 38% of employees haven’t received cybersecurity training tailored to remote work in the past year.

Security Standards and Requirements

To address these risks, businesses need a solid security framework that includes:

• Access Control: Use multi-factor authentication, Zero-Trust principles, continuous verification, and least-privilege access.
• Data Protection: Implement encryption and maintain offsite backups.
• Device Management: Employ centralized monitoring and automated patching.
• Employee Training: Conduct regular security awareness sessions and phishing simulations.

Key Strategy Elements

To strengthen device security, focus on these strategic areas:

• Technology Integration: Automate updates and manage firmware effectively.
• Policy Framework: Establish and enforce clear security and access policies.
• Cultural Adoption: Promote ongoing communication about security practices.

Once these basics are in place, you can move forward with the 10 steps to secure your remote devices.

10 Steps to Secure Remote Devices

Here’s a straightforward guide to managing and securing devices for your remote team. These steps aim to safeguard your organization’s data while keeping things running smoothly.

Step 1: Define Device Usage Rules

Start by creating a clear set of rules for device usage. Include details about acceptable use, security protocols, data handling, compliance requirements, and how to report security issues.

Step 2: Implement Device Management Software

• Take stock of your devices, operating systems, and security needs.
• Choose remote device management (RDM) software that fits your team's requirements, including features, scalability, and budget.
• Test the software with a small group to ensure smooth enrollment, configuration, and user experience.

Once this is in place, move on to enforcing strong user authentication (Step 3).

Steps 3-6

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Steps 7-8

Step 7: Monitor Device Health

Keep an eye on device health and compliance by using remote alerts and scheduling regular scans.

Step 8: Disable Compromised Devices

If a device is flagged as compromised, remotely lock it or wipe its data to prevent further risks.

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Using Bravas for Device Security

Bravas integrates tools to address all 10 security steps effectively:

Steps 1–2: Bravas combines identity, device, and credential management. With MultiOS MDM, it deploys security policies, tracks devices and users, automates provisioning, and ensures compliance.

Steps 3–4: Bravas enhances authentication by offering:

• Passwordless Identity Provider (IDP)
• FIDO2 hardware keys
• Certificate-based authentication
• Single sign-on (SSO) integration

Steps 5–6: It streamlines app installation and updates, with access to over 100 pre-built connectors.

Steps 7–8: Bravas ensures compliance through real-time monitoring, alerts, and device lockdown features.

Steps 9–10: Key features include:

• Centralized enforcement of security policies
• Remote lock and wipe capabilities
• Self-service password resets

Bravas has earned recognition for its cloud-security capabilities. It offers flexibility with both cloud and on-premises deployment options. A senior analyst programmer noted that Bravas successfully addressed their identity and password management requirements.

Next, we'll explore how to sustain these security measures over time.

Maintaining Security Standards

Keep your devices secure by focusing on audits, training, and updating policies. Here's how to approach each:

IT Audits
Set up a process that reviews system security, procedures, documentation, performance, and system development. Regular audits ensure your IT operations stay aligned with new software and hardware standards while addressing advanced threats. After each review, tackle the findings, monitor progress using automated tools, and improve practices. Tools like Bravas dashboards can simplify audit reporting and help track KPIs effectively.

Employee Training
Provide role-specific training on topics like phishing, Wi-Fi safety, and secure file sharing. Use awareness campaigns and simulations to make the training engaging. For roles with higher security risks, include ongoing scenario-based exercises and personalized feedback to address performance gaps.

Policy Updates
Start with a solid policy framework and adjust it as new threats and technologies emerge. Incorporate feedback from your team and lessons learned from incidents to fine-tune policies and settings. This approach ensures your security measures stay relevant and effective.

Conclusion

Once security standards are in place, integrating device management into everyday operations becomes essential.

Managing devices securely helps safeguard sensitive data and keeps operations running smoothly.

Bravas's Security Fabric enhances remote access security through encrypted outbound connections and cloud-hosted proxy servers. This approach aligns with the 10 steps discussed earlier.

Strong security relies on three key elements: well-integrated technology, clear policies, and regular user training.

Device management requires ongoing audits and updates. By following this guide and leveraging Bravas's Security Fabric, you can create a strong framework that protects your assets while enabling remote work productivity.