Device control refers to technologies used to manage and regulate devices that can connect to a computer, typically USB flash drives and external hard drives. The primary goal of this management is to protect businesses from viruses, malware, and data theft while ensuring compliance with security regulations.  

Device control enables the monitoring and control of removable devices such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, and smartphones, preventing unauthorized access and illicit data transfers. Device control is no longer an option but a necessity, as in 2021, more than half of global organizations (54%) reported USB-based attacks, according to Proofpoint's "State of the Phish Report 2022."

The objectives of Device Control

The primary goal is to prevent the loss or theft of sensitive data, protecting business information from unauthorized access, malware, and potential data leaks—whether accidental or intentional. With device control, companies can establish granular security policies, regulating device access based on specific criteria such as user identity or device type. This allows organizations to authorize only approved devices while blocking unrecognized or potentially dangerous ones.

Device control is often integrated with other security solutions, such as DNS filters and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) platforms, to ensure comprehensive protection. Additionally, it offers logging and auditing features, enabling administrators to monitor removable device activities, detect anomalies, and generate reports to maintain compliance with security regulations.

How Device Control works in security systems

Device control operates through the implementation of systems that centrally manage security policies, regulating access to and usage of peripheral devices connected to corporate networks. Here’s how the process is structured:

• Installation of an agent software: An agent is installed on endpoint devices (computers, servers, etc.) to continuously monitor connection ports (USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi).
• Device identification: The agent detects connected devices and checks whether they comply with predefined security policies.
• Policy enforcement: If the device is authorized, the user can access company resources with specific restrictions (e.g., read-only mode or mandatory encryption). If unauthorized, access is denied, and the activity is logged for further review.

Device control also offers advanced features, including:

• Whitelisting and blacklisting: Defines which devices can be used and which must be blocked.
• Real-time alerts: Notifies administrators of unauthorized access attempts or suspicious behavior.
• Logging and reporting: Tracks device activity to ensure compliance with security regulations.

The benefits of Device Control for businesses and organizations

Device control offers numerous advantages to companies, helping to improve cybersecurity and the management of peripheral devices. These include:

• Protection of sensitive data: Prevents unauthorized copying of confidential information to removable devices. According to Proofpoint's "State of the Phish Report 2022," in 2021, over half of global organizations (54%) reported USB-based attacks.
• Threat prevention: Blocks the use of unauthorized devices, reducing the risk of malware and ransomware infections that could be introduced through external media.
• Compliance with security regulations: Helps businesses comply with regulations by ensuring the protection of sensitive data and facilitating compliance audits.
• Granular access control: Allows the definition of custom policies to authorize only certified devices.
• Centralized monitoring and visibility: Provides complete visibility over device usage, making it easier to detect suspicious behavior.
• Ease of management and integration: Easily integrates with Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, centralizing security policy management and incident response.

The main threats addressed by Device Control

As reported by Cybersecurity Insiders, approximately 85% of companies still allow the uncontrolled use of USB devices, despite the risks associated with them. To minimize various cybersecurity risks, it is essential to implement a device control system.

As we have seen, device control helps prevent the leakage of sensitive data by blocking unauthorized transfers to external devices, prevents malware and ransomware infections by limiting the use of unrecognized peripherals, and mitigates internal threats by regulating data access.

Additionally, it prevents attacks via compromised hardware and limits the use of unapproved devices, strengthening network security. It plays a key role in compliance with regulations such as GDPR, avoiding penalties related to breaches, and blocks the execution of unauthorized software introduced through external media. In summary, device control is an essential tool for protecting digital infrastructures and ensuring compliance with security standards.