Introduction
In today’s fast-paced business environment, ensuring secure and seamless device access is critical. Many organizations leverage Okta Workforce Identity to enforce robust security standards while providing employees with a frictionless user experience. This article outlines how you can streamline your device access program, from policy definition to implementation and ongoing communication.

Why Mobile Device Security Matters

With an increasing number of employees working remotely or on the go, company devices have become gateways to sensitive corporate data. A compromised or outdated device can expose your network to threats such as malware, data leakage, or unauthorized access. By enforcing minimum security requirements, including OS updates, passcodes, and biometric protections, you can significantly reduce risk and protect both company and customer information.

OS Update Policy

Keeping operating systems up to date is one of the simplest yet most effective defenses against emerging vulnerabilities.

A typical OS‑update policy might include:

Monthly Review Date: Assess and update minimum supported versions on a regular, predictable schedule. For example, on every first working day of the month,assess and set the minimum OS level for different platforms.
- Android Devices: Require security patches to be no older than six months and ensure the OS is within two major versions of the latest release. This policy is less tight then for iOS devices, since Android devices is more fragmented and not getting updates in the same time as iOS devices.
- macOS / Windows - Require updates to be installed at least one month after their public release.
- iOS Devices: Require updates to be installed at least two weeks after their public release.

By aligning update requirements with vendor release schedules and official security bulletins, organizations can ensure that devices remain protected against known threats.

Example of Device Assurance Policies

Android

Okta Verify installed and configured
Android 14 or higher
Security patch ≥ 2025‑03‑05 (Android Security Bulletin – March 2025)
Screen lock | Biometrics - enabled
Not rooted

iOS

Okta Verify installed
iOS 18.5 or higher
Passcode | Touch ID or Face ID enabled
Not jailbroken

macOS

Okta Verify installed
macOS version ≥ 15.5
Disk encryption enabled
Secure Enclave presented

Windows

Okta Verify installed
OS Windows 10 22H2 (10.0.19045.5854) or higher
OS Windows 11 24H2 (10.0.22631.5335) or higher
Windows Hello enabled
Disk encryption enabled
Trusted Platform Module presented

Streamlining Access with Okta Workforce Identity

Automated Device Enrollment
Employees install the Okta Verify app during initial setup. Once they authenticate, Okta automatically checks device compliance against Okta policy and issues a device certificate, enabling passwordless and MFA-secured access.
Conditional Access Policies
Okta’s policy engine evaluates device posture in real time. If a device falls out of compliance - say, it’s running an outdated OS - access is automatically restricted until the user updates and re-authenticates, eliminating manual IT intervention.
Seamless Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Okta Verify’s built‑in biometrics ensure strong authentication without adding burden.
Unified Visibility and Reporting
Through Okta’s admin console, your security team gains a centralized view of all enrolled devices, compliance statuses, and access attempts. You can setup SIEM alerts notify your security team of non-compliant devices or anomalous activities, enabling swift remediation.

Communicating Policy Updates

Effective communication is key to driving adoption and compliance. You may implement:

Monthly Newsletters: Summarize upcoming OS changes, highlight new security features, and remind users of the next review date.
Knowledge Base Articles: Step-by-step guides on updating OS, setting passcodes, and enrolling devices.

By keeping your employees informed and engaged, you can minimize disruptions and foster a security-first culture.

Best Practices for Employees

Regularly Check for Updates: Enable automatic OS and security patch installs when possible.
Use Strong, Unique Passcodes: Avoid simple PINs; opt for alphanumeric passcodes if supported.
Enable Biometrics: Face ID or Touch ID adds an extra layer of protection and accelerates login.
Never Jailbreak or Root: Circumventing manufacturer restrictions voids warranty, disables critical security controls, and breaches corporate policy.

Conclusion

By combining clear OS update policies, stringent device requirements, and dynamic conditional access, you can empower employees to work securely from any device. Ongoing communication ensures everyone stays informed.- and keeps our corporate data safe.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are my own and do not represent the official position or policies of any employer.

Boosting Device Protection in Your Company with Okta Workforce Identity