In this article, you will discover:
- What SOC 2 and Mobile Device Management (MDM) are
- MDM Features that are helpful for achieving SOC 2 attestation
Overview of SOC 2 and MDM
SOC 2 compliance reports offer valuable insights into an organization’s security status, focusing on Trust Services Criteria encompassing security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. For further details on SOC 2 and achieving SOC 2 compliance, please refer to this article.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) refers to using software that enables IT professionals to automate, control, and secure administrative policies on laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices connected to an organization’s network. MDM systems are essential to align with the five SOC 2 trust principles and improve the security landscape of an organization. More information regarding MDM can be found in this article.
MDM Features for SOC 2 Compliance
The following is an overview of MDM features to comply with the five Trust Services Criteria of SOC 2.
Security
This principle aims to protect business data and resources against security breaches and unauthorized access.
- Data Encryption: MDM software provides advanced security with features like AES-256 encryption or other encryption algorithms, securing data both at rest and in transit.
- Password Management: MDM software can implement stringent password policies, mandate password changes at specified intervals, and can enable multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.
- BYOD Management: MDM policies can create work profiles on personal devices, allowing only approved apps and configurations for job-related tasks, preventing data transfer to personal spaces.
- Network Data Security: IT admins can configure VPNs and Wi-Fi with advanced security parameters, ensuring employee devices connect only through secure resources, preventing data breaches.
- Kiosk Mode: Kiosk Mode refers to the state of mobile devices where they can only access specific whitelisted apps, websites and functions, preventing device misuse by employees. If your company has a large number of devices, MDM can simultaneously enable kiosk mode on all of them, saving a substantial amount of setup time. MDM also enhances security by enforcing software-based firewalls to prevent unauthorized access.
- Device Configurations: MDM software can disable copy-paste, screenshot capture, clipboard, Bluetooth, removable media, and other wireless sharing features. Furthermore, administrators can block unapproved file-sharing apps to restrict data sharing.
- Incident Response and Remediation: MDM allows remote locking or wiping data of lost or compromised devices, including selective wipes of corporate data while retaining personal data.
Availability
This principle assures system, data, and resources availability in a secure manner.
- Compliance Reporting: MDM can provide automated compliance reporting and dashboards to track device compliance with SOC 2 and organizational policies.
- Monitoring: MDM monitors device usage, login attempts, location, and application usage in real-time to identify and respond to security threats promptly.
- Configuration Management: MDM manages software updates, settings, user accounts and detects jailbroken/rooted devices. In case an non-conformance event occurs, it should be contained immediately to ensure device availability.
Processing integrity
This principle ensures that system processing is authorized and efficient.
- Access Control: MDM sets policies and controls for device usage, restricting access based on user roles or location. For instance, it establishes VPN and network access controls to prohibit access to sensitive data when the device is not connected to a secure network. Additionally, MDM software can enforce device compliance policies, including minimum OS version, Wi-Fi data usage, jailbreak detection, and device encryption.
Confidentiality
This principle ensures the confidentiality of sensitive data.
- Access Management and Encryption: MDM restricts data access based on need, authority, and role, implementing the principle of least privilege. It uses encryption, VPN technology, and pre-configured Wi-Fi networks to maintain data confidentiality.
Privacy
This principle requires organizations to protect customers’ Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from breaches and unauthorized access.
- Containerization: MDM creates secure “containers” on devices for corporate data and apps, secured with passcodes or biometric authentication and data encryption. This separation ensures personal data privacy while securing corporate data as per policies.
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