NIST Issues Mobile Device Security Guidelines

Mobile Commerce NIST Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security

On June 25, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a mobile device management guide to help federal agencies centrally manage the security of mobile devices. While the NIST document was developed for use by federal agencies, the device management principles may be applicable to other organizations facing similar security concerns. The guide focuses on smart phones and tablets and provides recommendations for selecting, implementing, and using centralized management technologies. It also explains the security concerns inherent in mobile device use and provides recommendations for securing mobile devices throughout their life cycles. The recommendations aim to address security issues related to both organization-provided and personally-owned (“bring your own device”) mobile devices.