Why Tablets Are Helping to Streamline Business Operations

Tablets are quickly becoming a key tool for businesses aiming to improve efficiency and collaboration. Their unique combination of portability and power is changing how teams access, interact with, and share information.

From field operations to meetings and remote work, tablets are helping businesses streamline workflows, reduce delays, and enhance communication.

Rather than just a mobile option, tablets are offering practical solutions to real-world business challenges. Here’s how integrating tablets into your operations can directly boost productivity and save time, while keeping cybersecurity in mind.

1. Portability Meets Productivity for Remote Work

As businesses adopt more flexible work models, employees are no longer tethered to desks. Tablets offer a lightweight, powerful alternative to laptops, enabling workers to stay productive wherever they are.

With easy access to documents, cloud-based apps, and communication platforms, tablets allow employees to collaborate in real-time without sacrificing performance.

However, with this increased mobility comes an increase in risk. Tablets often connect to public Wi-Fi networks, which makes them more vulnerable to attacks. To mitigate this risk, businesses should implement security protocols such as:

• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs): Ensuring remote workers are using a VPN when accessing company resources.
• Mobile Device Management (MDM): Using MDM solutions to enforce strong security policies on tablets, such as remote wipe capabilities and password protection.
• Encryption: Encrypting sensitive business data on tablets ensures that even if a device is lost or stolen, the information remains secure.

2. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Tablets are revolutionizing in-person collaboration. With large touchscreens and intuitive interfaces, tablets make it easier to present, annotate, and share documents in real-time during meetings.

Teams can access shared workspaces and manage tasks directly from their tablets, improving communication and decision-making speed.

The downside is that tablets are often used in places with higher security risks… such as conference rooms, trade shows, or public areas. This makes tablets a target for cyberattacks. To combat this, businesses should:

• Adopt multi-factor authentication (MFA): Requiring MFA for tablet logins reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, especially when using shared devices.
• Use secure apps: Encourage employees to use apps designed with security in mind, avoiding third-party apps that may not be vetted for security vulnerabilities.

3. Field Operations and Real-Time Data Access

For businesses with employees in the field, whether they’re inspecting infrastructure, managing inventory, or providing customer service, tablets provide the ability to access real-time data and update records on the spot.

This not only increases efficiency but also ensures that critical information is always up to date, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication and data entry errors.

However, employees in the field often face challenges with tablet security. These devices can be easily lost or stolen, and accessing sensitive information in public spaces increases exposure to cyber threats. Companies can take steps to secure their field operations, such as:

• Deploying secure apps: Use business apps with built-in security features, like end-to-end encryption, to protect data as it’s accessed or updated.
• Physical security measures: Use tablet locking mechanisms in high-risk areas to prevent theft, and track devices with GPS if they are lost.
• Remote data wiping: Ensure that sensitive business data can be wiped remotely in case a tablet is stolen or misplaced.

4. Streamlining Customer Interactions and Sales

In retail, hospitality, and service industries, tablets are becoming the go-to devices for customer-facing employees.

Whether it’s processing orders, managing reservations, or providing customer support, tablets allow staff to serve customers more efficiently, improving satisfaction and reducing wait times.

Given that these devices often handle sensitive customer information (ie. payment details, personal data, and service preferences) securing customer interactions is paramount. To keep customer data safe, businesses should:

• Use secure payment systems: Tablets used for transactions should integrate with secure payment gateways that comply with PCI DSS standards to ensure credit card information is protected.
• Regular software updates: Ensure all tablet operating systems and apps are up-to-date with the latest security patches to avoid vulnerabilities.

5. Cybersecurity for Tablets: Best Practices for Protection

As more tablets become integral to business operations, ensuring their security is crucial to maintaining overall cybersecurity.

Tablets can often be overlooked in the broader cybersecurity talent gap, but they are prime targets for AI and non AI cyberattacks due to their portability and accessibility. Here are some essential cybersecurity best practices for tablets:

• Enforce strong password policies: Ensure all devices require strong, unique passwords and utilize biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition where possible.
• Regular security audits: Conduct frequent security audits of tablets to ensure they’re compliant with your business’s security policies. This includes checking for unauthorized apps, outdated operating systems, and weak password practices.
• Install security software: Use reliable anti-malware and anti-virus software on tablets to detect and prevent malicious attacks before they can cause damage.

6. Scaling Tablet Use Across Your Business

As your business grows, so too should your tablet security. Scaling tablet usage involves ensuring that as new devices are added to your workforce, security remains a top priority.

With the right Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools, you can monitor and manage tablet security across your entire organization, ensuring devices are secure, compliant, and functioning properly. Key strategies for scaling tablet use securely include:

• Centralized management tools: Use MDM solutions to enforce company-wide security policies, such as software updates, remote wipes, and device encryption, across all tablets in the field.
• Training and awareness: Regularly educate employees on the risks associated with tablet use and provide them with clear guidelines for securely handling and accessing business data.

Conclusion

Tablets are transforming how businesses operate, from improving collaboration to enabling efficient field operations and customer interactions. However, their portability and use in various environments also expose businesses to unique cybersecurity risks.

By adopting robust security measures (such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, secure apps, and remote management tools) businesses can protect their tablet-based workflows while reaping the benefits of increased productivity and efficiency.

As tablets continue to be a cornerstone of modern business operations, prioritizing their security ensures that the organization stays ahead of threats while maximizing their potential.