In this article, you will find out:
- What Mobile Device Management (MDM) and ISO 27001 are
- How MDM helps a company comply with ISO 27001
- BYOD challenges and the role of MDM
What Is MDM?
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. More information regarding MDM can be found in this article.
What’s ISO 27001?
ISO 27001 is the globally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS), providing companies of any sizes and from all sectors with a systematic and structured approach to managing and protecting sensitive information.
It employs a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and provides a framework for organizations to:
- Identify and assess information security risks
- Implement control to mitigate risks
- Monitor and review the effectiveness of of those controls on an ongoing basis
More information about ISO 27001 can be found in this article.
ISO 27001 Requirements
ISO 27001 Annex 9 is all about access control, ensuring that information is protected and employees can access only what’s relevant to their work. To comply with ISO 27001, you need to implement 14 controls outlined in this annex. This may sound overwhelming, but a robust Mobile Device Management (MDM) system can largely cover these requirements.
Annex 9: Access Control: a Quick Summary
Annex 9, in a nutshell, focuses on ensuring the right individuals have access to the right resources at the right times. It goes beyond just strong passwords. Annex 9 mandates the selection and deployment of both digital and physical controls across various aspects, including locations, networks, infrastructure, and user session and emphasizes the importance of ongoing attention to access control as your business evolves.
Annex 9 centers on four main areas:
- Policy (9.1): this section requires you to establish and regularly review your company’s access control policies. It involves defining and documenting roles and responsibilities, specifying who should have access to what, and outlining how you manage these permissions.
- Access (9.2): you are responsible for managing and reviewing access, which includes tasks like user provisioning, authorization, and restrictions, overseeing privileged access rights and maintaining control over sensitive authentication information like encryption keys.
- User Responsibilities (9.3): this section focuses on helping your employees adhere to good access control practices and policies.
- Unauthorized Access Prevention (9.4 and 9.5): these sections require you to take proactive measures to prevent unauthorized access to your data. This involves implementing secure login procedures, restricting information access based on roles, managing passwords effectively, and controlling access to essential systems and source code.
How MDM Addresses Annex 9 Compliance
MDM is a sophisticated system that oversees and secures mobile endpoints like smartphones, laptops, and tablets, making it crucial for remote work. Beneath its surface, you’ll discover a host of tools and features that enhance compliance with Annex 9. Here are a few examples:
Automated Encryption
In Section 9.4, automated encryption takes the spotlight. This section is all about preventing unauthorized access, and MDM’s encryption functionality excels in this regard. If a business device is lost or stolen, encryption acts as a robust barrier, safeguarding sensitive company data. It also contributes to enhancing secure log-on procedures as outlined in 9.4.2.
Remote Device Management
The functionality of remote device management within your MDM system efficiently addresses various Annex 9 requirements:
- Role-based Access Control: customize access based on roles, adhering to the principle of least privilege, a fundamental aspect of Annex 9.
- User Provisioning: implement zero-touch and conditional access provisioning to ensure that new hires gain access only after authenticating their identity.
- User Deprovisioning: swiftly revoke access rights and access the device data using recovery key when someone leaves the company.
- Enforcing Security Protocols: MDM helps strengthen access controls by configuring security protocols, enforcing OS upgrades, and establishing access permission levels.
- Policy Support: MDM aids in evolving your corporate access control policy based on experience and maintains an audit trail to demonstrate policy implementation to auditors.
Single Sign-On (SSO)
MDM systems offer Single Sign-On (SSO), which further bolsters Annex 9 compliance. Each time a user logs in to a new application, it’s an opportunity for hackers. SSO reduces the number of attack surfaces by allowing employees to log in just one time with one set of credentials to get access to all corporate apps, websites, and data for which they have permission.
BYOD Complexity and Role of MDM
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) practices have gained substantial popularity in recent years. While BYOD brings advantages like improved employee productivity and flexibility, it also introduces security complexities such as device theft, data leak and malware. ISO 27001:2022 recognizes this issue and recommends organizations implement stricter controls on personal devices accessing company data. Please refer to this article for a more comprehensive discussion of BYOD Security in ISO 27001.
A MDM solution offers a robust framework with various controls to address the BYOD challenge. MDM can segregate personal and work-related data on the same device, effectively separating personal and business information. Additionally, it can enforce measures like encryption, remote data wiping, and secure authentication on personal devices, enhancing security further.
ISO 27001’s Annex 9 compliance is just one of the many strengths of an MDM system.
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