What Is Device Security?

Device Security Basics

What is device security?

Device security is the safeguarding of internet-connected devices, such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, tablets, IoT devices, from cyberthreats and unauthorized access. Device security typically requires strong authentication, mobile device management tools, and restricted network access. 

Why is device security important?

Device security is important for safeguarding sensitive data and helping to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and other threats. Securing devices connected to corporate networks can help mitigate risks posed by remote work, bring your own device (BYOD) policies, and IoT ecosystems.

How do I make sure my device is secured?

To secure your devices, a multilayered approach is required. Start by training users in security best practices. Implement a zero trust network access (ZTNA) policy to mitigate the risk of unauthorized access. Deploy device security tools to fortify defenses against threats and safeguard the network.

What is IoT device security?

IoT device security helps prevent IoT devices from introducing threats to a network. IoT devices include any network-connected hardware. Smart thermostats, security cameras, printers, and industrial equipment are all examples of IoT devices.

How can you secure an IoT device?

Secure an IoT device by deploying a solution that allows for visibility of all IoT devices on your network. Monitor your network and restrict access to authorized IoT devices. Automated responses help you react faster to detected anomalies and reduce the risk of your network systems being compromised.

What is the best security for IoT devices?

The best security for IoT devices provides multiple layers of protection, including: 

• Strong authentication and multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Data encryption
• Regular security updates
• Zero trust network segmentation
• Threat detection, investigation, and remediation
• Device management software

What is BYOD device security?

BYOD device security helps protect employees' personal laptops, PCs, mobile phones, and tablets used for work purposes. Mobile device security risks like unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware infection can be mitigated with device security tools.

How do you secure a BYOD device?

To secure a BYOD device: 

• Implement zero trust access policies
• Enforce strong passwords and authentication
• Deploy a mobile device management (MDM) solution
• Enable data encryption
• Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software
• Educate users on safe browsing and app downloads

What is edge device security?

Edge device security is the monitoring and protection of IoT devices at the network's perimeter, where data is decentralized and more vulnerable to cyberthreats. 

What are edge security risks?

Because edge devices are decentralized from the data center, edge security risks may include:

• Unauthorized access
• Device tampering
• Data compromise and breaches
• Interrupted operations

What is an example of edge security?

An example of edge security is implementing restricted access and continuous verification for edge devices. This means that even if a device is within the network perimeter, it must prove its integrity before accessing resources to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches.

How do you secure devices?

Increase device visibility

Gain device visibility across all devices on the network by integrating a holistic device inventory and monitoring solution. Continuously track and log all corporate-managed devices, BYOD devices, and IoT devices that connect to your network so you can see potential security risks.

Get device visibility

Assess device security posture

Evaluate the security posture of devices by conducting thorough assessments. Enforce device health checks, vulnerability scans, and corporate security policies. Empower users with self-remediation to keep devices up to date and maintain compliance.

Explore self-remediation

Continuously verify trusted access

Adopt adaptive access policies for granting trusted access to devices. Monitor contextual data such as user behavior, device health, and network conditions to dynamically assess trust levels. Implement strong authentication mechanisms, MFA, and remote access controls to help ensure secure and authorized access.

Discover adaptive access

What are common types of device security?

Endpoint security

Endpoint security solutions protect devices from cybersecurity threats. These solutions protect devices from malware, unauthorized access, and data theft through threat hunting, incident management, and device visibility features.

Secure your endpoints

Data security

Data security works to protect digital information from unauthorized access. Data security tools like encryption, access controls, and firewalls help ensure information privacy, integrity, and availability.

Protect your data

Network security

Network security is the protection of the networking infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, and theft. It establishes a secure environment for devices, users, and applications. Secure access service edge (SASE) is a network security model that integrates security and WAN capabilities for safe device connectivity across distributed organizations

Explore Cisco SASE

Device trust

Device trust is a security strategy that assesses the trustworthiness of devices before granting access to corporate resource. Built on the principles of zero trust, verifying device trust helps ensure that only secure devices connect to a network, reducing the risk of vulnerability exploitation and data breaches.

Verify device trust

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

A Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) is a security solution that protects devices by providing visibility, control, and security for cloud-based applications and data. By extending security measures to the cloud infrastructure, a CASB safeguards devices accessing cloud-based applications and data.

Discover cloud security

Mobile device management (MDM)

Mobile device management, or MDM, is a monitoring and management practice designed to secure mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. MDM solutions equip organizations to enforce security policies on mobile endpoints, control access to corporate data, and remotely wipe stolen devices.

Meet Meraki MDM

IoT security

IoT security focuses on protecting IoT devices from cyberthreats. It involves implementing strong authentication, encryption, and access controls to prevent unauthorized access and potential risks associated with IoT devices.

Learn about IoT security

Email security

Email security solutions protect devices from email-based cyberthreats like phishing attacks, spam, and malware. These solutions filter email content, attachments, and URLs to identify and block malicious content. Security features like encryption, data loss prevention, and advanced threat protection work to safeguard devices and corporate data.

Secure your emails