When your staff use mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones to work from home, those devices become a key part of your business's IT environment—and a potential weak point if not properly secured. Mobile devices often connect over less secure home networks and can be more easily lost or stolen, increasing the risk of unauthorised access to sensitive company data. Ensuring these devices are protected helps maintain business continuity, safeguard customer information, and comply with UK data protection standards like GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Why securing home-working devices matters for UK SMEs
For small and medium-sized businesses, a single compromised device can lead to data breaches, ransomware infections, or operational downtime. This can damage your reputation, reduce staff productivity, and potentially result in fines or enforcement action from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if personal data is exposed. With many UK businesses adopting hybrid or fully remote working models, securing mobile devices is no longer optional but essential to maintain trust and compliance.
A typical scenario: managing mobile security for a 50-employee business
Consider a UK SME with around 50 staff, many working remotely on laptops and smartphones. Without clear policies and technical controls, employees might use personal devices without encryption or antivirus software, or connect via unsecured Wi-Fi. An IT partner would first conduct an audit of all devices accessing company data, then implement Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to enforce encryption, strong passwords, and remote wipe capabilities. They'd also ensure multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled for all business apps and provide staff training on recognising phishing attempts. This approach reduces the risk of data loss and supports compliance with Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001 guidelines.
Practical checklist: securing mobile devices for home workers
- Ask your IT provider: Do they offer Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions to control and monitor devices remotely?
- Check password policies: Are strong, unique passwords enforced, and is multi-factor authentication (MFA) mandatory for device and app access?
- Verify encryption: Are all mobile devices encrypted to protect data if lost or stolen?
- Review software updates: Is there a process to keep operating systems and security software up to date automatically?
- Confirm backup procedures: Are critical business files backed up securely, ideally to a cloud service with UK-based data centres?
- Assess network security: Do staff use VPNs or secure Wi-Fi connections when accessing company resources remotely?
- Evaluate incident response: Does your IT partner have clear protocols to remotely lock or wipe devices if compromised or lost?
- Train staff: Are employees regularly reminded about safe device use, phishing risks, and reporting lost devices promptly?
- Document policies: Is there a written mobile device and remote working security policy aligned with UK GDPR and Cyber Essentials requirements?
Securing mobile devices used by home workers is a vital part of protecting your business's data and operations. If you haven't already, consider discussing your current setup and risks with a trusted managed IT provider or IT advisor who understands the needs of UK SMEs. They can help you implement practical controls that balance security with usability, helping you meet compliance expectations and reduce cyber risks without disrupting your team's productivity.