Business Mobile Security: Protecting Company Data on Phones
Company smartphones hold email, contacts, files, and access credentials. Without proper security controls, a lost or compromised device can expose sensitive business data. This guide explains what business mobile security involves and the practical steps UK businesses should take.
Mobile Security: The Business Risk
43% of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach in 2025 (DSIT). Mobile devices — holding email, files, and access credentials — are a primary target. Microsoft Intune MDM, enforced via conditional access in Microsoft Entra ID, ensures only compliant enrolled devices can access company data. AMVIA manages this as part of a complete business mobile service.
Explore business mobile servicesWhat Is Business Mobile Security?
Business mobile security refers to the technical controls and policies that govern how smartphones and tablets interact with company data and systems. A modern company phone is a powerful computing device — it holds email, contacts, files, access to cloud applications, and often multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes. Without appropriate controls, a lost or stolen phone is effectively an unlocked door into your business.
The NCSC recommends that all businesses implement mobile device management and enforce a minimum security baseline on all devices that access company data. This applies whether the device is company-owned or personal (BYOD).
How Business Mobile Security Works
Mobile security is typically enforced through Mobile Device Management (MDM) software. Microsoft Intune, included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium, is the most common platform for UK SMEs. When a device is enrolled in Intune, the administrator can push security policies — mandatory PIN, encryption, approved apps list, VPN configuration — and the device must remain compliant with those policies to retain access to company resources.
Conditional access policies in Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) work alongside Intune to enforce that only compliant, enrolled devices can access Microsoft 365 email, SharePoint, and Teams. A non-enrolled device attempting to access corporate email will be blocked until it meets the compliance requirements.
Why UK Businesses Need Mobile Security Controls
Mobile devices are increasingly targeted by attackers. Smishing (SMS phishing), malicious apps, and man-in-the-middle attacks on public Wi-Fi are all growing threats. According to DSIT's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach — and phishing, including attacks delivered via mobile messaging platforms, remains the most common initial attack method.
Under UK GDPR, businesses are responsible for the security of personal data processed on mobile devices used for work purposes. A breach caused by an unencrypted, unmanaged device accessing company data could result in ICO investigation and enforcement. Cyber Essentials, the UK government-backed certification, requires that all devices accessing company data — including mobile phones — meet minimum security controls.
Key Considerations for UK SMEs
- Enrol all devices before they access company data: MDM enrolment should be a condition of using a company phone or accessing business systems on a personal device, not an optional extra.
- Enforce strong authentication: PIN alone is insufficient for high-risk accounts — biometric authentication combined with MFA provides significantly better protection.
- Keep operating systems updated: Outdated iOS or Android versions contain known vulnerabilities. Intune can flag non-compliant devices and restrict access until they are updated.
- Control which apps can be installed: Restrict device installation to approved apps and prevent app sideloading where possible, particularly on Android devices.
- Prepare for device loss: Every business should have a tested remote wipe process in place before a device is lost — not after.
How AMVIA Can Help
AMVIA configures and manages Microsoft Intune MDM as part of its managed IT and business mobile services, including device enrolment, compliance policy configuration, conditional access setup, and remote wipe procedures. For businesses supplying company phones, AMVIA sources handsets and manages the entire lifecycle from provisioning to secure disposal. Call 0333 733 8050 to discuss your mobile security requirements.
Core Business Mobile Security Controls
What every business with company smartphones should have in place.
Device Encryption and PIN
All company devices encrypted at rest with PIN or biometric authentication required to unlock.
Mobile Device Management
Microsoft Intune or equivalent enforces policy, pushes apps, and provides remote wipe capability.
Mobile Threat Defence
Apps that detect malicious activity, phishing links, and compromised network connections on mobile.
Remote Wipe
Ability to remotely erase all company data from a device the moment it is reported lost or stolen.
Business Mobile Security Checklist
Minimum controls every business should have in place on company smartphones.
All devices enrolled in MDM
Every company phone and BYOD device enrolled in Microsoft Intune before accessing business data.
Device encryption enforced
All managed devices encrypted at rest — enforced by Intune compliance policy.
PIN or biometric lock required
Device cannot be accessed without authentication — no PIN disabled or easily guessed codes.
Remote wipe tested and documented
Process for remote wipe tested before deployment and documented for use when needed.
OS update compliance enforced
Devices running outdated operating systems flagged and access restricted until updated.
Conditional access configured
Only compliant, Intune-enrolled devices can access Microsoft 365 email and applications.
Business Mobile Security FAQs
Yes. Email on a smartphone contains sensitive business and client information — a lost device without MDM means that data is accessible to whoever finds it. MDM enforces encryption, PIN requirements, and provides remote wipe capability that would otherwise be unavailable. The setup cost is modest compared to the risk of an unmanaged device breach, and Microsoft Intune is included in Microsoft 365 Business Premium at no additional charge.
MDM (Mobile Device Management) controls device configuration, enforces security policies, and provides remote wipe capability. Mobile Threat Defence (MTD) is a separate security layer that actively detects threats on the device — malicious apps, suspicious network connections, phishing links in browsers — and can trigger a compliance flag in Intune if a threat is detected. The two work together: MDM provides the management framework, MTD provides active threat detection.
Yes. Microsoft Intune supports both iOS and Android, and AMVIA configures and manages both platforms. Apple Business Manager and Android Enterprise provide the enrolment infrastructure for each platform respectively. The security policies applied are broadly equivalent across both platforms, though some specific settings differ between iOS and Android.
With Intune MDM in place, AMVIA can initiate a remote wipe immediately — either a full device wipe or, for BYOD devices with a work profile, a selective wipe of company data only. The device is also removed from the compliant device list, blocking further access to company resources from that device. AMVIA manages this process as part of its managed IT service, ensuring a fast response when a device is reported missing.
Secure Your Business Mobiles
AMVIA can assess your current mobile device security posture and implement Microsoft Intune MDM, compliance policies, and remote wipe capability across your fleet.
Related Resources
Business Mobiles for UK SMEs
Company phones with MDM, support, and security managed by AMVIA.
BYOD Security Policy
How to manage personal devices accessing company data safely and in line with GDPR.
Remote Wipe and Device Security
Why remote wipe capability is essential and how to set it up before a device is lost.
Microsoft 365 Security
How Intune, Entra ID, and Defender work together to protect your business.