5 Mobile Security Threats Every Business Leader Should Know

Why mobile security threats are now your biggest business risk

Five years ago, mobile devices were still seen as a convenience. Today, they’re core infrastructure. Your teams access email, files, financial systems, and customer data from phones and tablets, wherever they happen to be. That freedom drives productivity, but it also opens new doors for security risks.

According to the UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyberattack or breach in the past 12 months. Mobile devices were among the fastest-growing vectors for those incidents. Yet, many organisations still don’t include smartphones or tablets in their formal security strategy, often assuming their MDM or antivirus is “good enough.”

The truth is, securing your mobile estate requires more than technology alone. It’s a balance of visibility, configuration, and culture. Here are five of the most common mobile security threats UK businesses face and the practical steps that keep them contained.

Phishing and MFA fatigue – the social side of cyber risk

The most sophisticated attack your organisation might face isn’t a zero-day exploit, it’s a well-timed message. Mobile users are particularly vulnerable to phishing and social engineering because screens are smaller, multitasking is constant, and security cues are easier to miss.

Modern attackers also exploit what’s known as MFA fatigue: repeatedly sending login approval prompts to a user’s phone until they give in and approve one by mistake. This technique bypasses even strong password policies and can compromise cloud apps or email accounts in seconds.

How to reduce the risk:

• Adopt phishing-resistant MFA methods, such as app-based or hardware token authentication, instead of SMS codes.

• Train staff to question urgent or unusual messages, especially those that request logins or payment approval.

• Use MDM-integrated identity tools to detect and block suspicious login attempts.

Phishing is no longer just an IT issue, it’s an everyday business behaviour issue. By treating awareness as a core part of security culture, you turn your employees into a line of defence instead of a liability.

Outdated operating systems and patch delays

A mobile device running an outdated operating system is essentially an unlocked door. Attackers actively scan for devices that haven’t applied recent patches, especially those with known vulnerabilities in iOS, Android, or common apps like Microsoft 365.

It’s not uncommon for IT teams to struggle with update consistency, particularly when employees use a mix of personal and corporate devices. But the cost of leaving one phone behind can be far higher than the effort required to stay current.

How to reduce the risk:

• Use your MDM to enforce automatic updates and report on patch compliance across all devices.

• Set a clear update window policy (for example, critical patches must be applied within seven days).

• Block outdated devices from accessing company email or cloud resources until they’re compliant.

Patch management isn’t glamorous, but it’s one of the most powerful risk reducers available. Think of it as digital hygiene: small, regular actions that prevent bigger, more painful problems later.

Shadow IT and unsanctioned apps

When employees install their own apps to “get things done,” it often comes from good intentions, but it can create major exposure. "Shadow IT" happens when unsanctioned or unmonitored apps access work data or sit in the same storage space as corporate information.

Common examples include unapproved file-sharing tools, messaging apps, or cloud note-taking platforms. The danger isn’t just data leakage, it’s the lack of oversight. IT can’t protect what it can’t see.

How to reduce the risk:

• Implement managed app stores or allow-listed apps through MDM to control what’s installed.

• Use app protection policies to separate personal and corporate data on BYOD devices.

• Provide approved alternatives so employees can still work efficiently without resorting to personal apps.

Shadow IT usually signals a process gap, not a technical one. When teams feel they have what they need, the urge to “go rogue” disappears.

Lost or stolen devices: small events, big consequences

Losing a single mobile phone might seem minor, but when that device holds access to email, cloud storage, and corporate systems, the impact can escalate quickly.

Devices left in taxis, misplaced on-site, or stolen during travel are a leading cause of data exposure incidents in the UK. If data isn’t encrypted or remote wipe isn’t enabled, you could be facing a reportable breach under UK GDPR.

How to reduce the risk:

• Enforce full-disk encryption on all devices, including BYOD where feasible.

• Test remote lock and selective wipe functions quarterly to ensure they actually work.

• Keep an up-to-date inventory of who owns each device, so you can act fast when one goes missing.

Speed is everything. A lost device is only a crisis if it remains exposed. With the right MDM controls in place, you can contain the incident within minutes.

Weak configurations and over-permissioned access

Even with the best tools, misconfiguration remains one of the top causes of mobile breaches. A single unchecked setting can give attackers a foothold or allow sensitive data to sync to unapproved locations.

Overly broad admin rights also create unnecessary exposure, especially if contractors or third parties retain access after their work ends.

How to reduce the risk:

• Review MDM policies quarterly to remove redundant or risky permissions.

• Apply the principle of least privilege, users should only access what they need, from approved devices.

• Link mobile management with identity governance to ensure deprovisioning happens automatically.

A strong configuration isn’t just about restrictions, it’s about creating confidence that your systems behave predictably, every time.

The bigger picture: security as an ecosystem

Mobile threats rarely operate in isolation. Phishing succeeds when users aren’t trained. Patch delays happen when devices aren’t inventoried. Shadow IT grows when teams don’t have tools that work for them.

That’s why we approach our clients' mobile security as an ecosystem, not a series of fixes. Visibility, automation, and culture must move together. MDM is just one part of the equation, the other is empowering your people to make the right decisions confidently.

Focus on visibility, not fear

Cyber threats will always evolve. But for most UK businesses, the biggest wins come from improving fundamentals: patch faster, educate staff, restrict access sensibly, and be ready to lock or wipe devices in seconds.

With the right mix of MDM, automation, and human awareness, your mobile estate becomes not just secure, but resilient to mobile security threats and a true enabler of productivity rather than a risk to control.

Need help managing and securing your device fleet? Or does your team need training in the device security essentials? Our experts can help find a solution for you