The Role of Cyber Security in Field Service Management

Earlier, a crucial task for any modern organization was to find service technicians or field forces. These tasks normally took a lot of precision and time as they involved multiple variables which had to be controlled, monitored, and logged manually.

However, many companies were plagued with issues such as inaccurate information, miscommunication, and delays. Software developers then came out with appropriate software programs which could aid in managing the mobile workforce and field service operations, which is known as field service management technology.

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The majority of field service data is stored on servers behind complex security systems and corporate firewalls. However, the devices that use the data seldom have the same level of protection.

For example, mobile devices that are used by staff can be vulnerable to attack, especially if it’s on an unsecured Wi-Fi network. The software program you’re using for field service management can easily be infiltrated if proper attention isn’t given to its cyber security. Some cheaper and less quality field service management apps are unable to safeguard data as they lack threat prevention systems and robust access controls.

Cyber security is thus an important aspect of field service management software and should be a prime consideration when selecting an appropriate software vendor. Whenever possible utilize the services of cyber security consultants to help double-check the systems you use are secure.

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How to Determine If Your Field Service Management Software Is Secure?

Organizations should be able to distinguish between subpar field service management software from a fully secure one to keep their businesses safe. There are several key areas to focus on which are discussed in brief below.

1. Data centers should be secure

Most high-quality field service management software programs ensure that their client’s files are secured in data centers managed by a team of professionals around the clock. To minimize the risk of data loss, make sure the software programs perform regularly scheduled backups and possess advanced threat prevention software.

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2. How the software is patched

Getting to know how a field service management software program is patched can shed light on how secure it is. To see how quickly the software deals with security issues, always ask to see its bug tracking systems and patch release notes. The best software providers make sure their products are regularly updated to defend against the latest cyber threat.

3. Type of encryption

Always inspect the encryption capabilities of a field service management software program when selecting them. Most reliable field service management software programs use an encryption protocol known as Transport Layer Security (TLS) to secure the connection between the app and web servers. Hackers thus are unable to read any packet of data that they manage to intercept. Additionally, make sure the software program comes with 256-bit encryption in case of data storage, as it offers more robust protection that requires over 50 supercomputers to infiltrate.

4. Access controls

Access controls should be set up and provided in such a way that allows organizations to freely grant their users the least amount of access privileges that are necessary to do their tasks. The software programs should also have an easy decommission system to remove accounts of former employees. This protects critical client information such as proprietary records and credit card details from unauthorized access.

5. Methods of authentication

Vulnerable accounts are the first points of attack for hackers, which is why software programs need to be equipped with strong user authentication. Almost all cybersecurity apps set minimum password lengths and other requirements to encourage their users to set stronger apps. However, this doesn’t always mean that it’s secure.

To make sure users are protected from unauthorized logins, most reliable software providers offer single sign-on and multifactor authentication features. Single sign-in features make it easy to manage multiple passwords across platforms by eliminating some of the associated risks. Multifactor authentication requires users to submit an additional form of identification that’s not easy to replicate or steal. This can be a temporary SMS code or a fingerprint scan.

Additional Cyber Security Practices

Organizations must take additional precautions to protect data even if they have a fortified software program. These include:

Train users to develop good security habits.
Use the latest firewalls and anti-malware software.
Limit access privileges when users are on the field.
Adding mobile device management software that allows organizations to wipe data from stolen or lost devices to minimize data loss.
Secure connections between devices and the internet by using a virtual private network.

Final Thoughts

Field service software and cyber security go hand in hand. Field service management software programs do a great job of streamlining processes including billing, invoicing, scheduling and dispatching. It enables staff to focus on carrying out field activities by accurately storing customer information. As a decision-maker at an organization, always make sure you choose field service management software from a reliable and experienced software vendor.