As organisations invest heavily in network, endpoint and cloud security, attackers are increasingly targeting mobile devices as a route into corporate systems. Yet many businesses still apply weaker security controls to smartphones and tablets than they do to traditional endpoints, creating opportunities for cyber criminals to exploit.
Mobile security is no longer a nice-to-have. It's a critical part of a modern cyber security strategy.
So why have mobile devices become such an attractive target for cyber criminals? What threats should organisations be aware of? And how can you strengthen your mobile security posture?
The mobile security threat landscape is changing
The way people work has changed dramatically over the last few years.
Employees move between offices, homes, customer sites and public locations while staying connected to business systems through their mobile devices. That flexibility supports productivity, but it also expands the attack surface.
Cyber criminals have adapted quickly.
According to the UK Government's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses identified a cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months. Medium-sized organisations reported even higher levels of attack.
At the same time, mobile devices have become increasingly valuable targets because they often provide access to:
- Microsoft 365 and business email
- Microsoft Teams and collaboration platforms
- CRM and ERP systems
- Customer and financial information
- Business-critical applications
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) tools
For attackers, compromising a single smartphone can be significantly easier than breaching a well-protected network and the reward can be just as valuable.
Why attackers target mobile devices
Unlike traditional endpoints, mobile devices constantly move between trusted and untrusted environments.
Employees connect through:
- Home broadband
- Public WiFi networks
- Airport and hotel hotspots
- 4G and 5G mobile networks
Each connection creates a potential opportunity for attackers.
User behaviour also plays a role. People tend to interact with mobile devices differently than laptops. They respond faster, scrutinise less and often install applications with minimal oversight.
For cyber criminals, mobile devices offer the ideal combination of accessibility, valuable business data and reduced security visibility.
Mobile phishing attacks are becoming harder to spot
Phishing remains one of the most effective attack methods available to cyber criminals.
The Cyber Security Breaches Survey found that phishing was involved in 85% of cyber breaches and attacks, making it the most common attack vector affecting UK organisations.
But phishing is no longer confined to email.
Attackers increasingly target users through mobile-first channels, including:
- Smishing - fraudulent SMS messages designed to steal credentials or deliver malware.
- Messaging app attacks - malicious links sent through platforms such as WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams.
- Quishing - QR codes that redirect users to fake login pages.
- Social media impersonation - fake accounts or messages that appear to come from trusted contacts.
- Mobile browser attacks - fraudulent websites designed specifically for mobile users.
These attacks exploit trust, urgency and convenience. A user only needs to make one mistake.
When attackers compromise credentials through a mobile device, the consequences can include account takeover, data loss and wider business disruption.
Malicious applications remain significant risk
Not every threat arrives through a message or email.
Cyber criminals regularly distribute applications that appear legitimate but contain hidden malicious functionality.
Once installed, malicious apps can:
- Steal usernames and passwords
- Monitor user activity
- Access corporate data
- Capture sensitive information
- Download additional malware
Even legitimate applications can introduce risk through excessive permissions, vulnerabilities or insecure development practices.
As organisations embrace BYOD and employees install both personal and business applications on the same device, maintaining visibility becomes increasingly difficult.
Public WiFi can expose users to hidden threats
Public WiFi offers convenience, but it can also introduce risk. Whether employees are working from a hotel, airport or coffee shop, they often connect to networks they know little about. Attackers can exploit unsecured or spoofed WiFi networks to intercept communications, capture credentials and redirect users to malicious websites.
In many cases, users have no indication that an attack is taking place.
Without the right security controls, sensitive business information can be exposed long before anyone realises there's a problem.
Unmanaged mobile devices create security blind spots
Many organisations now support a mix of corporate and employee-owned devices.
While that flexibility benefits users, it can also create gaps in security visibility.
Unmanaged devices often suffer from:
- Outdated operating systems
- Missing security updates
- Weak authentication controls
- Unauthorised applications
- Limited security monitoring
- Mobile threat detection and response
- Phishing and smishing protection
- Application risk monitoring
- Network threat detection
- Device compromise detection
- Security visibility across the mobile estate
Without clear visibility into device health and risk, security teams may not identify compromised devices until after damage has occurred.
Why device management alone is no longer enough
Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions play an important role in controlling devices and enforcing policy.
However, management and security are not the same thing.
An MDM platform can help organisations configure devices, apply settings and manage compliance. It does not typically identify active threats such as phishing attacks, malicious applications, compromised devices or network-based attacks.
That's why organisations increasingly complement MDM with Mobile Threat Defence.
An effective mobile security strategy should include:
• Mobile threat detection and response
• Phishing and smishing protection
• Application risk monitoring
• Network threat detection
• Device compromise detection
• Security visibility across the mobile estate
By identifying threats in real time, organisations can reduce risk before attackers gain access to users, devices and business data.
FAQs
Why are mobile devices a target for cyber criminals?
Mobile devices are a target because they give employees quick access to business-critical systems such as email, Microsoft 365, Teams, CRM platforms and customer data. They are also used across home networks, public WiFi, mobile networks and unmanaged environments, which can make it harder for organisations to maintain visibility and control. Cyber criminals exploit this by using tactics such as mobile phishing, smishing, malicious apps and unsecured networks to steal credentials, compromise devices or gain access to corporate systems.
What is mobile threat defence?
Mobile Threat Defence is a security solution that helps organisations detect, prevent and respond to threats targeting smartphones and tablets. It provides visibility across the mobile estate and can identify risks such as mobile phishing attacks, malicious applications, compromised devices, network threats and unsafe user behaviour. This helps businesses protect mobile users, sensitive data and corporate systems in real time.
How do I protect company mobile phones from hackers?
To protect company mobile phones from hackers, businesses should combine strong device management with active threat protection. This includes enforcing secure passwords and multi-factor authentication, keeping operating systems and apps up to date, controlling which apps can be installed, blocking access to risky networks, monitoring for compromised devices and using Mobile Threat Defence to detect threats such as phishing, smishing, malware and malicious apps before they cause damage.
What is the difference between mobile device management and mobile threat defence?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) focuses on managing devices and enforcing policies, such as passcodes, app controls Management, encryption and remote wipe settings. Mobile Threat Defence (MTD) goes further by detecting and responding to active security threats, including phishing attacks, malicious applications, network-based attacks and device compromise. In short, MDM helps control the device, while MTD helps protect the device, user and business data from evolving mobile threats.
