3 Easy Ways to Prepare for a Lost or Stolen Device

With so many employees still working remotely, it’s easy to see how lost or stolen devices can create problems for your business. Therefore, like any security issue, it is critical to take it seriously before it happens rather than react to it as it occurs. Here are four preventative measures you can take today to decrease the odds of a lost or stolen device becoming a major problem for your business.

 Utilize Multi-Factor Authentication

The first preventative measure that can help in the event of a lost or stolen device is utilizing multi-factor authentication, although let’s be honest, you should be using it anyway—it’s just common sense. Multi-factor authentication uses multiple methods of protection to secure your device. For example, your smartphone might not require you to use a PIN to access it, but you should have this feature enabled, as well as some sort of biometric authentication if possible. The same goes for your laptop. Some multi-factor authentication methods also involve texting or calling a secondary device or account which can also be effective for securing your device.

Turn On Location Services

Most devices have access to location services in their settings, but they may not be turned on by default. In the event you lose track of a device, we recommend that you enable location services, especially when you are out and about. This might not give you the exact location of the device, but it can give you a ballpark estimate that you can use to make decisions about where to look.

Back Up Your Data

Backing up your data also helps with another aspect of securing your devices that we definitely want to recommend for when you must remotely wipe your devices. It is entirely possible that you will not be able to recover the device, meaning you cannot take chances with someone else discovering it. If you have backed up your data, then you won’t have to add the data lost from your lost or stolen device to the list of issues you must deal with.

Utilize a Mobile Device Management Tool

No one likes to imagine the worst-case scenario, but it’s part of running a business to prepare for events such as this. Walsh IT Group can help your business get ready for unfortunate situations like losing a device or having it stolen. A mobile device management solution includes the features outlined above to create a comprehensive system that can prevent lost or stolen devices from becoming a problem, as well as optimize your odds of recovering the device if possible.

Remember, the best way to prepare for lost or stolen devices is to anticipate and prepare for these types of situations. Don’t wait until you have already lost a device before taking action. To learn more about how you can start being proactive with your device security, reach out to us at (832) 295-1445.