Device Compliance: A Comprehensive Handbook for Businesses

The adoption of device compliance is gaining momentum for two primary reasons. First, businesses are transitioning to paperless workflows, seeking to optimize productivity. Second, the severe consequences associated with mishandling data can result in substantial fines for organizations.

Consider the healthcare sector, where violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) could incur penalties ranging from $127 to $1,919,173 per violation.

Businesses need to make sure each device adheres to rules and policies in specific industries. Without stringent rules, a compromised device could easily introduce malware, risking sensitive client data.

So, moving beyond the realm of being a mere luxury, having transparent and robust rules becomes a necessity to confirm that all devices align with security standards.

In this article, we will cover everything from what device compliance is to how to craft effective device compliance policies, along with some real-world examples.

📢 Maintaining your device compliance with ease

1Understanding Device Compliance

The concept of device compliance may be fuzzy for most people. Here we will help you in laying lay down the foundation.

Device compliance, at its core, revolves around electronic devices adhering to an organization's rules, policies, and standards. These encompass critical aspects such as access control, security measures, data protection, remote management, and incident response.

Within corporate environments, companies often establish policies and rules specifically for endpoint security compliance. The objective is clear: safeguarding sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access. This proactive approach ensures that devices within the organization align with the established standards, promoting a secure and standardized computing environment.

👉🏻 Scenario:

Suppose a company establishes device compliance policies for endpoint security. An employee's laptop, which contains sensitive client information, must adhere to these policies. The policies require the installation of antivirus software, regular operating system updates, an active firewall, and encryption for confidential files.

If the employee's laptop fails to comply—perhaps the antivirus software is outdated—the device is considered non-compliant.

In such cases, automated systems may restrict access to sensitive data until the issue is resolved, ensuring that all devices within the organization meet the established security standards.

2Crafting Robust Device Compliance Policies

After getting to know the essence of device compliance, now we can move on to how to craft effective policies for device compliance. Building robust device compliance policies is your first line of defense against unauthorized access and data breaches.

Let's break down each element:

▶ Access control

You need to specify who can access what devices based on their roles and responsibilities in the organization. This way, you can keep out all the unauthorized peeps from getting their hands on sensitive info and lower the chances of any internal data breaches.

▶ Boost security with smart passwords

The easiest way to elevate your cyber security is by enforcing password policies, requiring your employees to create unique combinations. Device compliance would not be complete without difficult-to-hack passwords.

▶ Data protection guidelines

Create guidelines that cover how data should be handled, stored, and transmitted on devices. Don't forget to educate your team on the best practices for data security, like staying away from public Wi-Fi networks and using safe file-sharing platforms.

▶ Remote management and wiping capabilities.

This is a definitely a lifesaver in case of lost or stolen devices. Track, manage, and wipe the device to prevent unauthorized access.

▶ An incident response plan

Prepare an emergency manual to guide you through unexpected incidents. Outline the steps to report, investigate, and remedy a device security breach.

▶ Seeking legal review

Last but not least, get a legal review to avoid legal stumbling block. Make sure that your policies align with the relevant law and the industry-specific requirements.

Now equipped with these practical steps, review your current policies (or establish a new one) and give your digital defenses the upgrade they need.

3Illustrative Device Compliance Scenarios

It’s no surprise that different industries have specific regulatory standards that they must adhere to. Let's explore a few examples:

1️⃣ Regulatory Compliance for Medical Devices

In the medical sector, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act) regulates how medical organizations maintain privacy of protected health information (PHI).

Device compliance in HIPAA involves:

Strong encryption protocols for storing and transferring data
Restrict access control by implementing role-based access control (RBAC) and robust authentication methods, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong password policies
Audit controls to record and examine system activity
Capabilities of remote device management and security enforcement
Automatic logoff after a period of inactivity to prevent unauthorized access

2️⃣ In Retail and Hospitality Industry

Retail and hospitality businesses that handle payment card information must comply with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This standard supports the secure handling of cardholder data, including the protection of customer information during payment transactions.

Policies in these industries include:

Regularly review and update firewall rules to allow only necessary network traffic
Encrypt the transmission of cardholder data across open or public networks
Implement strong access controls, including unique user IDs, and robust password policies
Set up centralized logging, review logs regularly, and create alerts for any suspicious activities

3️⃣ Government Agencies

Government agencies are subject to the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). This requires them to implement comprehensive device compliance policies to protect sensitive government information and sustain the integrity of their systems.

Some requirements of FISMA related to device compliance are:

Use the Risk Management Framework (RMF) as a structured approach to managing information security risk associated with device usage
Implement security controls related to configuration management and secure system development
Continuously monitor device compliance with established security policies
Develop and implement security policies, providing clear guidance on device use, including configuration standards, acceptable use policies, and guidelines for securing mobile devices
Address detection and response to security incidents involving devices with a robust incident response plan

4Challenges on the Device Compliance Horizon

As we all know, things don't always go according to plan. Businesses often encounter challenges in maintaining device compliance. Let's explore a few of them here:

Diverse Device Landscape

Organizations often use a variety of devices with different operating systems, configurations, and security features. Managing compliance across this diverse landscape can be complex.

Constant Technological Evolution

Rapid advancements in technology lead to frequent updates, new devices, and evolving security threats. Keeping up with these changes and ensuring compliance becomes an ongoing challenge.

Remote Work Environments

The increase in remote work introduces additional complexities. Ensuring compliance for devices accessing the organization's network from various locations and networks adds a layer of difficulty.

Human Factor

Employees may unintentionally compromise device compliance through actions like disabling security features, neglecting updates, or connecting to unsecured networks. Education and awareness are crucial but can be challenging to enforce consistently.

Third-Party Devices and Applications

The use of third-party devices and applications introduces additional variables. Ensuring that these external elements comply with organizational standards can be a constant struggle.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive strategy involving technological solutions, regular assessments, employee training, and a commitment to staying current with evolving security standards and industry regulations.

5Securing Endpoint Compliance with MDM Solutions

At this point, you may already be feeling overwhelmed with all the tasks at hand, and they are indeed no easy feat. Fortunately, setting up device compliance policies becomes much more manageable with the assistance of Mobile Device Management (MDM).

Take AirDroid Business for example, it provides the necessary tools and features to manage and enforce compliance policies across a range of devices.

You can find the following key features in AirDroid Business MDM to support mobile compliance:

Device Security Policies: MDM allows businesses to create and enforce device security policies. This includes enforcing password complexity, preventing the installation of suspicious apps, controlling OS updates, and restricting non-compliant behaviors for your devices.
Remote Management and Wiping: Businesses can remotely manage devices when issues occur, track their location, and perform remote wipes in case of loss or theft. This feature prevents sensitive data falls into the wrong hands and helps maintain device compliance even in adverse situations.
Application Control: Easily install and uninstall applications across the company's device fleets. With AirDroid Business AMS feature, companies can ensure that their applications are kept up-to-date and managed effectively.
Data Encryption: MDM solutions provide the ability to enforce data encryption on devices to protect sensitive data, even if the device is lost or stolen. This feature contributes to device compliance by safeguarding data at rest and in transit.

6Wrapping up

To follow device compliance, businesses need to get updated device compliance policy, increase employee awareness with fresh training programs, and a rock-solid MDM solution.

By jamming out with MDM solutions, businesses can get more than just effortless device compliance management, but also have fewer risk and stronger data protection.

Don't overlook the importance of device compliance! Try our free trial now! Feel the real benefits of MDM features, strengthen your digital firewall, and stays ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of device security.