When To Issue a Remote Wipe: Scenarios that Require Decisive Action

A strong defensive posture means knowing how to use tools like a Remote Wipe in situations where fast action must be taken to protect data. Having to make such decisions in the midst of a cybersecurity incident can cause trepidation; what if it is too extreme? A way to combat this fear is to think through potential situations with a clear head before the scenario has begun playing out.

What Is A Remote Wipe?

Before forming any plans, it is important to understand what, exactly, a Remote Wipe is. In simple terms, a remote wipe destroys digital data without needing to be in physical proximity to the device or system the information is stored on. This renders the data irretrievable. An endpoint security solution that offers Remote Wipe capabilities is an integral part of a robust organizational plan to protect customer, employee, and proprietary data.

For more information on the technical aspects of issuing a Remote Wipe, visit the DriveStrike Wipe page.

Now, let’s look at a few scenarios where this tool can be used effectively!

Scenario One: Device Theft

A few employees walk into a popular local cafe for lunch, order their food, and sit down to discuss some upcoming projects over soup. When they get up to leave, one of the individuals realizes that his briefcase was stolen out from under his chair, and that he has lost his laptop.

Some estimates say that 36.2 million U.S. workers will be remote by 2025, and that employees almost always take the opportunity to work from home a few days a week. People are working in public settings like coffee shops, hotel lobbies, and libraries. These environments all have their benefits to the remote worker or digital nomad, yet they also create an environment that presents ample opportunity for criminals to snatch cell phones, laptops, and other devices.

In situations like this, the faster a device can be remotely wiped, the more likely it is that a catastrophic breach can be avoided. As soon as an employee alerts his or her company of a stolen device, the organization should issue a Remote Wipe to remove the information from the perpetrator’s grasp. Speed is of the essence in this situation- every second is a second that the thief could be making copies of information. Make sure all of the company administrators are aware of the workflow if there is a theft, and empower them to take action quickly.

Speak to HR and the Legal Department to verify you have the jurisdiction to Remote Wipe information based on the company’s Mobile Device Management Policy including Bring Your Own Device options. Check out our MDM Templates for ideas.

Scenario Two: Data Breach

The office hums with the normal chatter of a busy Monday at a regional medical group’s administrative department. While sipping her second cup of coffee, a member of the IT Team gets a frantic call from one of the upper-level administrators stating that he has been locked out of his computer after opening an e-mail he received.

Data breaches are a continuing threat in any organization, and per the recent IBM Data Breach Report for 2022, the cost of the average breach has increased to $4.35 million. Any time data is accessed by an individual or group that does not have the proper authorization, a breach has occurred. Not every breach is a nefarious action, but every breach increases the probability that private data can be accessed by malicious actors and puts your data at risk.

In the event of a potential data breach, it is important to be prepared to accurately assess the risk and quickly take action.

Some risks may require steps such as Remotely Locking a device or retraining staff on healthy data security habits. For example, if an employee keeps their password on a piece of paper near their workstation, an unauthorized user could find this paper and use it to gain access to the employee’s machine. Leaving a device unlocked when the user is not present also creates an opportunity for a breach.

Unfortunately, some breaches have the potential to cause more damage than others. In a situation where an external actor has gained access to critical systems, a Remote Wipe is a necessary step. Wiping any devices that may be impacted by the attack mitigates damage as much as possible. In this situation, be sure to document every step of your process for any future investigation or audit.

Scenario Three: Ending Employment

An employee has failed to show up for work for the fourth time this month, and excuses are not cutting it anymore. HR has determined that the employee should be fired, but there is one problem; she was working on a large project, and still may have proprietary information stored on her cell phone.

Many employees in the United States use some form of mobile device for their jobs, meaning that work documents are accessed and stored in pockets and purses around the world. Depending on the Device Ownership Solution a company enforces, these files might be on employees personal phones…which can pose a problem.

What happens when an employee is terminated? An organization will not want their proprietary information to still be accessible to the ex-employee! Issuing a Remote Wipe in this situation is ideal, as it removes the chance that information can end up in the wrong hands or the risk of an disgruntled individual using the information to harm the company. After verifying that all proper legal procedures were followed to allow for a Remote Wipe based on the company’s Mobile Device Management Policy, a few keystrokes painlessly remove any sensitive or privileged data from work devices, whether they are returned to the company or not.

Data Security is extremely important during a reduction in workforce, and it can be further complicated with a remote workforce. Learn more about protecting data during remote workforce reductions.

While it may seem nerve wracking to delete all information from a computer or phone remotely, expedient action in this regard can save companies millions of dollars and a world of headaches. A company’s responsibility is to their employees, customers, and shareholders, and part of that responsibility is protecting their digital information and assets.

Investing in an Endpoint Security Solution that offers Remote Wipe capabilities is the Smart Choice for all businesses; be ready in case the worst should happen!