Upgrading to the Best Secure Mobile OS Can Save You From These 5 Risks
With how quickly technology evolves, it can be challenging for enterprises to maintain their current mobile device fleet to avoid technological obsolescence. Businesses also grow comfortable with their mobile devices, opting to hold onto them rather than deal with the challenges that accompany moving their workforce to a new device platform. Instead of upgrading to the best secure mobile OS by deploying new devices, they often keep legacy technology to avoid the workforce disruption that a change can bring.
Aside from the headaches associated with upgrading mobile devices, many believe they are saving money by sticking with their familiar technology. After all, purchasing new mobile devices costs money and takes time to implement. Further, training the workforce to use them and allowing time for complete user adoption also drains precious resources. However, refusing to operate on up-to-date tech and the most secure mobile OS comes with substantial security risks that could ultimately cost you more in the end.
Using Obsolete Technology Can Be Costly
In today’s competitive business climate, businesses are forced to produce more with less while expectations for improved productivity, increased revenue, and greater profitability have never been higher. Unfortunately, refusing to replace aging technology is a common occurrence for businesses and it comes at a cost. As mobile computers age, they are more susceptible to slow load times, freezing, and crashing. This creates unnecessary downtime, leading to a decrease in workforce productivity.
But dips in productivity from outdated technology aren’t the only thing cutting holes into your bottom line—repairing and maintaining aging mobile devices are also large contributors. Couple that with more repairs being required as the technology ages, and maintenance costs can quickly grow larger than the cost of a new fleet of devices with the best secure mobile OS.
Without the Most Secure Mobile OS You’re Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
Hanging onto legacy mobile devices and their archaic operating systems means that you may not receive crucial software updates, bug fixes, and security patches, exposing you to potential cyber attacks. Not only will your outdated mobile devices be unequipped to combat current threats, but they also won’t be capable of dealing with new threats as they develop.
Cyber attacks against businesses of all sizes are on the rise and are doing more damage than ever. The continued use of outdated, unprotected mobile devices will put your entire enterprise at risk. Without the protection of the best secure mobile OS, hackers will be able to easily penetrate system security, leaving you vulnerable to viruses, malware, and ransomware.
Exposure to Data Breaches and Lost Business Opportunities
Precious, confidential company and customer data is stored on your enterprise devices. If hackers can easily infiltrate your mobile devices to introduce malware, you can bet they’ll also be able to access your sensitive data. With data breaches exposing 36 billion records in the first half of 2020, mobile device security should be at the forefront of your concerns.
Although a data breach may occur, your devices hold much more than your own data in many cases. Once your devices are breached, your customers can easily become exposed to security risks as well, potentially having their private information exposed to the public and to those who would utilize it to do harm.
This makes it even more of a pressing issue. A data breach is a sure fire way to tarnish your brand reputation and damage customer relationships. In fact, more than half of all businesses that fall victim to a data breach are subsequently subject to public scrutiny and suffer losses in brand reputation, customer loyalty, and customer trust. Your customers will be left feeling vulnerable after having their data exposed and will no longer have the confidence that your organization can reliably secure their personal data.
In addition to losing existing business, you also risk losing future business opportunities. Among companies that suffer attacks or breaches, nearly a quarter of them lose significant business opportunities following the breach. Before agreeing to a partnership, many companies check to ensure that you have adequate security measures in place to protect both parties. If this security is missing, you might miss out on a partnership opportunity.
Total Data Loss Could Result From Not Having the Most Secure Mobile OS in Place
Your data is irreplaceable. If you’re using outdated mobile operating systems, your business is at risk of losing mission critical data. Cyber-attacks can cripple your operations indefinitely and corrupt essential business data, forcing businesses to regain customer confidence after an attack occurs. That’s why having a secure backup of your data at all times is crucial.
However, operating without the most secure mobile OS makes safeguarding sensitive business and customer data more challenging. Data backup and recovery efforts on outdated tech can be difficult and even impossible with legacy mobile devices and outdated operating systems. Without up-to-date technology, total data loss is a real possibility as critical software updates, bug fixes, and security patches may not be available or supported.
With these potential issues, it makes sense to upgrade to the best secure mobile OS as soon as possible. The problem for many businesses, however, is that they may not have the budget available to purchase a new fleet of mobile devices for their enterprise. Fortunately, businesses with budget challenges have a few options, one of which includes manufacturer trade-in programs. This program allows you to trade in your legacy devices towards the purchase of new mobile devices. Another option includes the “as-a-service” model where businesses can purchase new mobile devices and services for a low, fixed monthly payment rather than a large upfront capital investment.
While an OS migration isn’t cost-free, its business benefits far outweigh the potential financial, security, business, and data loss that await you if you continue to delay it. Connect with DecisionPoint today to get started on your upgrade.
