Enhancing mobile endpoint security with Omnissa's Workspace One Mobile Threat Defense (MTD)

When you think of endpoint security IT security teams, you might conjure up visions of EDR/XDR, encryption, and VPNs for Windows and macOS. But what about the most commonly used devices from which employees consume information—mobile phones and tablets that use operating systems like iOS and Android? Do we not care about security on these devices? If not, why?

As we should be aware mobile devices have become essential for both personal and professional use. The need to secure and protect these devices and the data on them against evolving cyber threats is essential. Into this glaring security hole jumps Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), which is a security solution that works to detect, mitigate and prevent security threats targeting mobile devices.

Any decent MTD solution guards against common threats that include:

Malware detection: MTD solutions detect and prevent the installation and execution of malicious software (malware) on mobile devices. This includes viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and other types of malicious apps designed to steal data, compromise device functionality or exploit vulnerabilities.

Phishing attacks: MTD solutions help protect against phishing attacks targeting mobile users. They can identify and block phishing emails, text messages or malicious URLs that attempt to trick users into disclosing sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial details or personal data.

Network-based attacks: MTD solutions monitor network traffic and protect against network-based attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, Wi-Fi spoofing and rogue access point attacks. They can detect suspicious network activity and prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data or resources.

Device compromise: MTD solutions defend against device compromise by identifying and blocking suspicious activities that indicate a device has been compromised or is under the control of an unauthorized actor. This includes detecting jailbroken or rooted devices, unauthorized modifications to system settings, and abnormal behavior indicative of a compromise.

Data leakage: MTD solutions help prevent data leakage by monitoring data transfers and enforcing data loss prevention (DLP) policies on mobile devices. They can detect and block unauthorized attempts to access, copy or transmit sensitive data, both within corporate networks and external cloud services.

Unauthorized access: MTD solutions protect against unauthorized access to mobile devices by enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, such as biometric authentication, PINs or multi-factor authentication (MFA). They can also remotely lock or wipe devices in cases users lose or have their devices stolen to prevent access to sensitive information.

Vulnerabilities and exploits: MTD solutions identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in mobile operating systems and applications that could be exploited by attackers to compromise device security. They can detect outdated software versions, missing security patches or known vulnerabilities and recommend or enforce remediation actions.

This brings me to Omnissa's Workspace One MTD, licensed from Lookout and a leader in the MTD space. Like other mobile threat defense solutions, MTD defends against various threats targeting mobile devices but its tight integration with Workspace One is what sets it apart from the competition. This integration adds the benefits of Workspace One UEM with its compliance and lockdown policies to your overall device security. With Workspace One you also get a robust conditional access policy engine via Workspace One Access. Together MTD, UEM and Access work together to lock down devices and applications without hurting the productivity of end users.

Furthermore, Workspace One MTD can be integrated with Workspace One Intelligence to leverage Workspace One's Freestyle automation capabilities, allowing IT teams to automate actions in response to detected threats. Automations can range from simply sending notifications and opening tickets in ITSM tools to removing applications and certificates and/or disconnecting VPNs, just to name a few. Freestyle automation enables proactive incident response without impacting the end-user experience. Workspace One Intelligence also delivers customized dashboards and reporting capabilities to aid in understanding where and when attacks occurred and on what devices.

Perhaps Omnissa's Workspace One MTD's most significant advantage is its transparency to end users. With the MTD agent seamlessly integrated into Workspace One Intelligent Hub, users remain unaware of the additional security layer protecting their devices and data. This not only simplifies the user experience but also ensures compliance with security policies without disrupting productivity and reduces unneeded bloat on the mobile device.

In conclusion, Omnissa's Workspace One Mobile Threat Defense offers a holistic approach to mobile security, combining advanced threat detection capabilities with seamless integration into Workspace One's comprehensive digital workspace platform. By prioritizing security, simplicity and user experience, Omnissa empowers organizations to protect their mobile workforce effectively while minimizing operational overhead. With Workspace One MTD, UEM, Access and Intelligence, organizations can rest assured that their mobile devices are secure against evolving cyber threats, enabling them to focus on driving business innovation and growth.