7 Industrial Device Control Use Cases for Risk Mitigation in 2024

As more devices are used for personal and professional purposes, device-related vulnerabilities and ingrained security risks arise, which in turn increases the demand for device control solutions. Corporate devices are safeguarded with device control tools that are tailored to fit the needs of their users and environments.  

Although the terms “device” and “IoT devices” are occasionally used interchangeably, this article uses the term “device” in an inclusive manner in order to establish comprehensive guidance. This article looks at the challenges and its solutions of different industries in which devices are placed and used in the light of case studies and real life examples.

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Device control use cases in different industries

Device control is utilized across various industries to safeguard against data breaches and data loss by implementing measures such as access controls, encryption, endpoint security solutions, and remote device management tools. These measures help protect sensitive information, maintain compliance with data protection regulations, and prevent cyber threats. Several industries prioritize device control to mitigate the risks of data breaches and data loss. Here are some examples of industries and how they utilize device control for this purpose:

1. Finance

The finance industry is highly regulated and handles sensitive financial information and operations like transactions. Financial institutions use device control measures such as endpoint protection software, encryption, and access controls to protect device users against unauthorized access. These measures help prevent unauthorized access to data and ensure compliance with data protection regulations such as PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

What is device binding?

Device binding refers to the process of linking a specific device or hardware component to a particular software, service, or account. This linking is often done for security or licensing purposes. In banking applications, device binding is used by registration of the customer/employer device at use. This process is a component of Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and is enforced by the European Economic Area (EEA).¹

The use of device control and related features such as remote monitoring, patching, MFA, and more become a priority in online and hybrid settings at work and universities.

Figure 1. Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) by schema

Source: Stripe.²

2. Healthcare

Healthcare organizations deal with confidential patient records and sensitive medical information, making them prime targets for cyber attacks. Device control is crucial in healthcare settings to safeguard medical devices, electronic health records (EHRs), and other systems from data breaches. Access control tools help healthcare providers secure devices and protect patient privacy.³ For more on cybersecurity on healthcare

Case study on Mount Sinai Health System

Mount Sinai Health System dealt with multiple challenges that arose from the lack of integration between biomedical devices and the IT infrastructure. Examples of challenge notes were about patches that were delayed and lacking asset inventory in terms of the life status of the devices that come near or at the end of their lives without prior notice and pose a serious problem.

The integration phase has been conducted with three different objectives in mind: “understanding device functionalities, monitoring traffic, and identifying communication patterns ”.⁴

After the integration, Mount Sinai Health System is able to monitor and manage its network components with a decreased risk of vulnerabilities in the network.⁵

3. Government

Government agencies handle vast amounts of sensitive data, including national security information, citizen records, and classified documents. Device control measures such as secure boot, firmware verification, and remote wipe capabilities are employed to protect government devices from unauthorized access and tampering. Endpoint security solutions also help detect and mitigate cybersecurity threats across government networks.

Governments publish informatory documents on cybersecurity with a focus on subjects such as identity and privacy and enterprise related risks. For example, the National Institute of Standards and Technology provides guidance for enterprise cybersecurity by defining a framework and risk investigation methods.

Figure 2. Cybersecurity and privacy risks

Source: National Institute of Standards and Technology. ⁶

4. Legal

Law firms and legal organizations deal with confidential client information and privileged communications. Device control is essential in the legal industry to protect laptops, mobile devices, and other endpoints from data breaches and unauthorized access. Encryption, multi-factor authentication, and mobile device management (MDM) solutions are commonly used to secure devices and prevent data loss.

5. Technology

Technology companies develop and deploy a wide range of devices, such as USBs, removable media, and software solutions, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches caused by endpoint threats. Device control measures such as secure boot, code signing, and sandboxing are implemented to secure software applications and prevent unauthorized modifications. Additionally, source code security and regular security updates help mitigate vulnerabilities in technology products. For more on device control dedicated to USBs, free USB blocking software

6. Education

Educational institutions store sensitive student data, including academic records, financial information, and personally identifiable information (PII). Device control measures such as access controls, encryption, and network segmentation help protect devices and data within educational environments. Endpoint security solutions also help detect and respond to security threats targeting school devices and networks.According to the paper, cybercrime boomed during COVID-19 period, when students were taught online, and led to an increase of 400% in incidents.⁷

The use of device control and related features such as remote monitoring, patching, MFA, and more become a priority in online and hybrid settings at work and universities.

Device control use at home with parental control

Device control at home is also essential for mitigating cybersecurity risks, as the increasing number of connected devices in households introduces new vulnerabilities. Here’s how device control is used at home to prevent children and young people from being abused by imagery, phishing, etc.

7. Parental controls

For households with children, device control features such as parental controls can be used to restrict access to inappropriate content, limit screen time, and monitor online activities. Parental control software allows parents to set up content filters, block certain websites or applications, and receive reports on their children’s online behavior.

The initiatives taken by international communities, such as the Digital Services Act by the European Union Commission, raise awareness about parental control with a focus on the potential adverse effects of the internet. The parental software market is growing, correlated with the pervasive information on the unregulated exposure of children to the internet. According to the report⁸, the global parental control software market size is expected to rise from $1.4 billion in 2024 to $3.5 billion by 2032.

Figure 3. Safer Internet Day

Source: Digital Strategy EU.⁹

Further reading

• Top 9 Hexnode Alternatives Based on 10K+ Reviews
• Top 5 NinjaOne Alternatives Based on 4.5K+ Reviews
• Top 9 Endpoint Management Software: 12K+ Reviews

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External resources

External Links

• 1. “Strong Customer Authentication”. Solaris Group. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
• 2. “What is Strong Customer Authentication?”. Stripe. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
• 3. “Access control for electronic patient records”. PubMed. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
• 4. “INTEGRATING MEDIGATE AND CISCO FOR ENHANCED MEDICAL DEVICE SECURITY AT MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM” (PDF). Claroty. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
• 5. “INTEGRATING MEDIGATE AND CISCO FOR ENHANCED MEDICAL DEVICE SECURITY AT MOUNT SINAI HEALTH SYSTEM” (PDF). Claroty. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
• 6. “The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0″ (PDF). National Institute of Standards and Technology. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
• 7. Arogbodo M. “Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Online Security Behavior within the UK Educational Industry.” (PDF) OSF. Retrieved 7 May, 2024.
• 8. “Parental Software Market Size…”. Fortune Business Insights. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
• 9. “Making the online world safer for children and young people on Safer Internet Day”. Digital Strategy EU. Retrieved May 6, 2024.