Skip to content
Home » IT Policies » Mobile Device Security Policy

Mobile Device Security Policy

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Mobile Device Security Policy is to establish requirements for the secure use, management, protection, monitoring, and disposal of mobile devices that access, process, store, or transmit organizational information.

Mobile devices provide flexibility and productivity benefits but also introduce security risks including unauthorized access, data loss, malware infections, device theft, insecure networks, and accidental disclosure of sensitive information. This policy establishes controls designed to protect organizational information and reduce risks associated with mobile device usage.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees
  • Contractors
  • Consultants
  • Temporary personnel
  • Interns
  • Third-party personnel authorized to access organizational resources

This policy applies to:

  • Smartphones
  • Tablets
  • Wearable devices where applicable
  • Mobile hotspots
  • Mobile computing devices
  • Organization-owned mobile devices
  • Personally owned devices authorized for business use (BYOD)

The policy applies to any mobile device used to access organizational systems, networks, applications, cloud services, or information assets.

3. Policy Statement

The organization shall implement and maintain security controls designed to protect mobile devices and organizational information accessed through mobile technologies.

All mobile devices used for business purposes shall comply with organizational security requirements and be managed according to approved security standards.

Mobile devices shall be protected against unauthorized access, loss, theft, malware, and other cybersecurity threats.

4. Objectives

The objectives of this policy are to:

  • Protect organizational information on mobile devices.
  • Reduce risks associated with lost or stolen devices.
  • Support secure mobile access to organizational resources.
  • Prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  • Improve visibility and management of mobile devices.
  • Support compliance with legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
  • Reduce malware and phishing risks.
  • Enable secure remote and mobile work.

5. Definitions

Mobile Device

A portable electronic device capable of storing, processing, or transmitting information.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

A technology solution used to manage, monitor, configure, and secure mobile devices.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

A personally owned device authorized for business use.

Remote Wipe

The ability to remotely erase data from a device.

Full Device Encryption

Encryption applied to all data stored on a mobile device.

Jailbreaking or Rooting

The process of bypassing manufacturer or operating system security restrictions.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Executive Management

Responsible for:

  • Supporting mobile security initiatives.
  • Providing resources for mobile device protection.
  • Reviewing significant mobile security risks.

Information Security Team

Responsible for:

  • Establishing mobile security requirements.
  • Monitoring compliance.
  • Managing mobile security risks.
  • Investigating mobile-related security incidents.
  • Maintaining security standards.

Information Technology Team

Responsible for:

  • Deploying mobile security controls.
  • Managing mobile device management platforms.
  • Supporting device enrollment and configuration.
  • Maintaining security updates.

Managers and Supervisors

Responsible for:

  • Ensuring personnel comply with mobile security requirements.
  • Reporting mobile security concerns.
  • Supporting enforcement activities.

Employees and Authorized Users

Responsible for:

  • Protecting assigned devices.
  • Following mobile security requirements.
  • Reporting lost or stolen devices immediately.
  • Using mobile devices responsibly.

7. Mobile Device Security Program

The organization shall maintain a Mobile Device Security Program that includes:

  • Device enrollment
  • Mobile device management
  • Secure configuration
  • Authentication controls
  • Encryption
  • Security monitoring
  • Incident response
  • Device lifecycle management

The program shall be reviewed periodically.

8. Approved Mobile Devices

Only authorized mobile devices shall be permitted to access organizational resources.

Authorized devices shall:

  • Meet security requirements
  • Run supported operating systems
  • Receive security updates
  • Utilize approved security controls

Unauthorized devices may be denied access to organizational systems.

9. Mobile Device Inventory

The organization shall maintain an inventory of authorized mobile devices.

Inventory records may include:

  • Device owner
  • Device type
  • Operating system
  • Device identifier
  • Enrollment status
  • Ownership classification

Inventory information shall be reviewed periodically.

10. Mobile Device Management (MDM)

Mobile devices accessing organizational resources may be required to enroll in an approved Mobile Device Management solution.

MDM capabilities may include:

  • Security policy enforcement
  • Device inventory management
  • Configuration management
  • Remote lock
  • Remote wipe
  • Compliance monitoring
  • Application management

Devices failing compliance checks may be restricted from accessing organizational resources.

11. Secure Configuration Requirements

Mobile devices shall be configured according to approved security standards.

Configuration requirements may include:

  • Screen lock enforcement
  • Encryption settings
  • Application restrictions
  • Security update requirements
  • Device hardening measures
  • Network security settings

Security configurations shall not be modified without authorization.

12. Authentication Requirements

Mobile devices shall require approved authentication mechanisms.

Requirements may include:

  • Strong passcodes
  • Passwords
  • Biometrics
  • Multi-factor authentication

Authentication settings shall comply with organizational access control requirements.

13. Device Encryption

Mobile devices used for business purposes shall utilize encryption whenever technically feasible.

Encryption shall be required for devices that:

  • Store organizational information
  • Access organizational applications
  • Access email systems
  • Connect to organizational networks

Encryption keys shall be protected according to organizational requirements.

14. Operating System and Application Updates

Mobile devices shall maintain current security updates and supported operating system versions.

Updates shall include:

  • Operating system updates
  • Security patches
  • Application updates
  • Vendor-released fixes

Devices running unsupported software may be restricted from organizational access.

15. Application Security

Only authorized and trusted applications shall be installed on organization-owned mobile devices.

Application controls may include:

  • Approved application stores
  • Application allowlisting
  • Security review requirements
  • Application monitoring

Applications that introduce unacceptable risks may be removed or blocked.

16. Prohibited Device Modifications

Jailbroken, rooted, or otherwise compromised devices shall not be permitted to access organizational resources.

Devices shall not:

  • Bypass security controls
  • Disable security features
  • Circumvent management controls
  • Modify operating system security protections

Non-compliant devices may be blocked from organizational systems.

17. Mobile Malware Protection

Mobile devices shall utilize malware protection capabilities where technically feasible.

Controls may include:

  • Mobile threat defense solutions
  • Malware detection
  • Application reputation analysis
  • Behavioral monitoring

Detected threats shall be investigated according to organizational procedures.

18. Wireless Communication Security

Mobile devices shall use secure communication methods when accessing organizational resources.

Requirements may include:

  • Encrypted wireless communications
  • Approved VPN solutions
  • Secure remote access methods
  • Trusted wireless networks

Users shall avoid transmitting sensitive information over unsecured networks.

19. Public Network Usage

Users shall exercise caution when using public wireless networks.

When accessing organizational resources over public networks, users shall:

  • Use approved VPN services where required
  • Avoid untrusted networks when possible
  • Verify network legitimacy
  • Protect sensitive information

Public networks shall be considered higher-risk environments.

20. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Personally owned mobile devices may access organizational resources only when authorized.

Authorized BYOD devices shall:

  • Comply with security requirements
  • Utilize device encryption
  • Maintain current security updates
  • Participate in required management controls

The organization reserves the right to limit access or remove organizational information from authorized BYOD devices when necessary.

21. Data Protection Requirements

Organizational information stored on mobile devices shall be protected according to data classification requirements.

Users shall:

  • Minimize local storage of sensitive information
  • Use approved applications
  • Avoid unauthorized data transfers
  • Protect information from unauthorized access

Sensitive data shall not be stored on devices without appropriate protection.

22. Lost or Stolen Devices

Lost, stolen, or suspected compromised mobile devices shall be reported immediately.

Response actions may include:

  • Remote lock
  • Remote wipe
  • Credential reset
  • Access revocation
  • Incident investigation

Failure to report lost or stolen devices promptly may increase organizational risk.

23. Mobile Device Monitoring

Authorized mobile devices may be monitored for security and compliance purposes.

Monitoring activities may include:

  • Compliance verification
  • Device health monitoring
  • Security event collection
  • Application inventory review

Monitoring shall comply with applicable laws and organizational requirements.

24. Device Disposal and Reassignment

Before disposal, return, transfer, or reassignment, mobile devices shall undergo approved sanitization procedures.

Sanitization activities may include:

  • Secure data deletion
  • Factory reset procedures
  • Removal from management systems
  • Verification of data removal

Organizational information shall not remain on retired devices.

25. Mobile Security Incident Response

Mobile device security incidents shall be managed according to the Incident Response Policy.

Incident response activities may include:

  • Device isolation
  • Forensic analysis
  • Credential resets
  • Remote wipe
  • Recovery actions

Mobile security incidents shall be documented and investigated.

26. Compliance and Auditing

Compliance with this policy shall be verified through:

  • Device compliance reviews
  • Security assessments
  • Internal audits
  • External audits
  • Mobile device management reporting

Findings shall be documented and addressed through corrective action processes.

27. Exceptions

Exceptions to this policy must:

  • Be documented
  • Include business justification
  • Include risk assessment
  • Identify compensating controls
  • Be approved by management
  • Be reviewed periodically

Temporary exceptions shall include expiration dates.

28. Enforcement

Violations of this policy may result in:

  • Device access restrictions
  • Removal of organizational access
  • Disciplinary action
  • Contract termination
  • Legal action where applicable

29. Review and Maintenance

This policy shall be reviewed:

  • At least annually
  • Following significant technology changes
  • Following major mobile security incidents
  • Following regulatory changes
  • Following significant updates to mobile security capabilities

Updates shall be approved by executive management.

30. Related Policies

  • Information Security Policy
  • Endpoint Security Policy
  • Access Control Policy
  • Mobile Device Management Standard
  • Acceptable Use Policy
  • Remote Access Policy
  • Incident Response Policy
  • Data Classification Policy
  • Key Management Policy

31. Policy Approval

Policy Owner: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) or Information Security Manager

Approved By: Executive Management

Effective Date: __________________

Review Date: __________________

Version: 1.0