Verizon Business Releases 2024 Mobile Security Index Report Highlighting Top Threats to Mobile and IoT Device Security
Verizon Business has recently published its 2024 Mobile Security Index (MSI) report, shedding light on the most significant threats to mobile and IoT device security. This year’s report, the seventh edition, expands beyond employee-level mobile usage to encompass the usage of IoT devices and sensors, emphasizing the security concerns associated with the growth of these devices, particularly in the context of remote work trends.
The 2024 MSI report, based on a survey of 600 individuals responsible for security strategy, policy, and management, underscores the escalating threat landscape that IT decision-makers and CIOs must navigate. As organizations become increasingly dependent on mobile devices, the associated risks also grow, especially in critical infrastructure sectors where security breaches can have catastrophic consequences.
The survey revealed that 80% of respondents consider mobile devices critical to their operations, with 95% actively using IoT devices. However, this heavy reliance on mobile and IoT devices comes with significant security concerns. In critical infrastructure sectors, where 96% of respondents reported using IoT devices, more than half stated that they had experienced severe security incidents resulting in data loss or system downtime.
Phil Hochmuth, Research VP of enterprise mobility at IDC, commented on the findings, stating, ‘These findings highlight the continued friction that employers face as more and more work is done on personal mobile devices. This is why we are seeing more and more employers move from a pure bring-your-own-device model to employer-provided devices where CIOs can have greater governance to protect critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.’ Hochmuth also emphasized the importance of adopting robust frameworks such as Zero Trust and complying with cybersecurity mandates like the European Union’s NIS2 Directive.
The report also highlights the emerging threat landscape posed by AI-assisted attacks, including deepfakes and SMS phishing. A striking 77% of respondents anticipate that these AI-assisted attacks are likely to succeed. However, 88% of critical infrastructure respondents acknowledge the growing importance of AI-assisted cybersecurity solutions, presenting opportunities for defense against these evolving threats.
As companies increasingly deploy IoT devices, their digital landscapes evolve, necessitating the evolution of cybersecurity strategies. TJ Fox, SVP of Industrial IoT and Automotive at Verizon Business, emphasized the need for more knowledge, awareness, and IT solutions to ensure the security of these increasingly sophisticated networks. The report underscores the growing importance of IoT in customers’ technology ecosystems and its role as a component in sound cybersecurity programs.
The 2024 MSI report serves as a valuable resource for cybersecurity decision-makers across businesses of all sizes and key sectors. With the rise of mobile and IoT threats, the need for robust security measures has never been greater. In response to these growing threats, 84% of respondents have increased their mobile device security spending over the past year, with 89% of critical infrastructure respondents planning further increases.
Verizon Business collaborated with partners such as Ivanti, Lookout, and Jamf for this year’s MSI report. The report recommends deploying comprehensive security protections, continuous employee education, and advanced threat detection capabilities to lower cyber risks.
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