Facebook Google Plus Twitter LinkedIn YouTube RSS Menu Search Resource - BlogResource - WebinarResource - ReportResource - Eventicons_066 icons_067icons_068icons_069icons_070

Tenable Blog

Subscribe

FTC and FCC Inquiry about Mobile Device Security

Note:  Nessus Cloud is now a part of Tenable.io Vulnerability Management. To learn more about this application and its latest capabilities, visit the Tenable.io Vulnerability Management web page.


Earlier this month, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched parallel inquiries into mobile carriers and device manufacturers about their processes for reviewing and releasing security updates for mobile devices. Representatives from these organizations say their goal is "to better understand, and ultimately to improve, the security of mobile devices."

Some might make the argument that this inquiry isn't needed at this time because mobile security isn't a significant issue. This year's Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) for example doesn't include a focus on mobile because there's not "significant real-world data on these technologies as the vector of attack on organizations."

On the other hand, there are several reasons why investigating mobile security now, instead of when it reaches the level where the DBIR has sufficient data to cover it as a topic area, makes sense:

  • Mobile on corporate networks is a common occurrence today. As we saw in the results of the 2016 BYOD and Mobile Security Survey, 72% of survey respondents had reached the stage where BYOD was available to all (40%) or some (32%) employees. And what employees do with mobile devices on corporate networks is becoming increasingly complex. Where email and contact management used to be the norm, today many people use their mobile devices for accessing work documents and data as well as accessing applications with sensitive data like Salesforce.
  • Mobile vulnerabilities and malware are getting more sophisticated. Some of the reports about this inquiry use Stagefright as an example of the growing number of vulnerabilities associated with mobile operating systems. Stagefright is a piece of code in Android that can be exploited by hackers to send malware to any user via text message. As a recipient, you don't even have to open the text message for your phone to be infected. Almost a billion phones were at risk when the vulnerability was first discovered last year.
  • Updating mobile devices can be complicated. One of the reasons that the FCC and FTC have parallel inquiries is because the process for issuing security updates is complicated and often lengthy. The carriers often customize the software on their devices, especially for Android devices, making it necessary for the operating system vendor like Google to go through a two-step process where Google submits updates to carriers and the carriers then push to device users. The longer it takes carriers and device manufacturers, the longer consumers are exposed. And if for some reason the carrier chooses not to push updates at all, consumers are left with orphaned devices.

This inquiry is just that at this time - an inquiry. The carriers and device manufacturers have 45 days to respond. After that, the FCC and FTC say they will analyze the responses and share data with each other and determine next steps. Like others, we’re looking forward to seeing the results.

Tenable and mobile security

At Tenable, we believe mobile security is an important part of your overall security program, and we offer multiple solutions to give you visibility into security gaps and vulnerabilities that mobile devices bring to your network.

  • Nessus® Cloud and Nessus Manager integrate with leading Mobile Device Management (MDM) products (Microsoft Exchange, Apple Profile Manager, MobileIron, AirWatch, Good for Enterprise) to capture device information for iOS, Android and Windows phones to perform vulnerability and compliance assessments.
  • SecurityCenter Continuous View™ (SecurityCenter CV™) takes this further by tracking managed and unmanaged devices continuously as they connect to the network. It also monitors mobile device vulnerabilities and malicious communications over time to identify if they are quickly resolved, or if misconfigured or out-of-compliance devices can be proactively addressed before your next audit.

One of the biggest challenges with mobile is simply getting visibility into its presence on your network. In the Unknown Assets and Shadow IT area of our website, you can learn more about how SecurityCenter CV addresses this challenge.

Many thanks to David Vance for his contributions to this article.

Related Articles

Cybersecurity News You Can Use

Enter your email and never miss timely alerts and security guidance from the experts at Tenable.

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy.

Your Tenable Vulnerability Management trial also includes Tenable Lumin and Tenable Web App Scanning.

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy. Purchase your annual subscription today.

100 assets

Choose Your Subscription Option:

Buy Now

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy.

Your Tenable Vulnerability Management trial also includes Tenable Lumin and Tenable Web App Scanning.

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy. Purchase your annual subscription today.

100 assets

Choose Your Subscription Option:

Buy Now

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy.

Your Tenable Vulnerability Management trial also includes Tenable Lumin and Tenable Web App Scanning.

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy. Purchase your annual subscription today.

100 assets

Choose Your Subscription Option:

Buy Now

Try Tenable Web App Scanning

Enjoy full access to our latest web application scanning offering designed for modern applications as part of the Tenable One Exposure Management platform. Safely scan your entire online portfolio for vulnerabilities with a high degree of accuracy without heavy manual effort or disruption to critical web applications. Sign up now.

Your Tenable Web App Scanning trial also includes Tenable Vulnerability Management and Tenable Lumin.

Buy Tenable Web App Scanning

Enjoy full access to a modern, cloud-based vulnerability management platform that enables you to see and track all of your assets with unmatched accuracy. Purchase your annual subscription today.

5 FQDNs

$3,578

Buy Now

Try Tenable Lumin

Visualize and explore your exposure management, track risk reduction over time and benchmark against your peers with Tenable Lumin.

Your Tenable Lumin trial also includes Tenable Vulnerability Management and Tenable Web App Scanning.

Buy Tenable Lumin

Contact a Sales Representative to see how Tenable Lumin can help you gain insight across your entire organization and manage cyber risk.

Try Tenable Nessus Professional Free

FREE FOR 7 DAYS

Tenable Nessus is the most comprehensive vulnerability scanner on the market today.

NEW - Tenable Nessus Expert
Now Available

Nessus Expert adds even more features, including external attack surface scanning, and the ability to add domains and scan cloud infrastructure. Click here to Try Nessus Expert.

Fill out the form below to continue with a Nessus Pro Trial.

Buy Tenable Nessus Professional

Tenable Nessus is the most comprehensive vulnerability scanner on the market today. Tenable Nessus Professional will help automate the vulnerability scanning process, save time in your compliance cycles and allow you to engage your IT team.

Buy a multi-year license and save. Add Advanced Support for access to phone, community and chat support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Select Your License

Buy a multi-year license and save.

Add Support and Training

Try Tenable Nessus Expert Free

FREE FOR 7 DAYS

Built for the modern attack surface, Nessus Expert enables you to see more and protect your organization from vulnerabilities from IT to the cloud.

Already have Tenable Nessus Professional?
Upgrade to Nessus Expert free for 7 days.

Buy Tenable Nessus Expert

Built for the modern attack surface, Nessus Expert enables you to see more and protect your organization from vulnerabilities from IT to the cloud.

Select Your License

Buy a multi-year license and save more.

Add Support and Training