Securing devices isn’t just about strong passwords or robust firewalls anymore, it’s also about where they are. A laptop in the office should not have the same access as one sitting in a coffee shop across town. That’s where geofencing comes in, adding location as a crucial piece of the security puzzle.
With employees bringing their own devices and working from just about anywhere, the traditional security perimeter no longer holds. Geofencing establishes invisible control zones that automatically enforce rules based on location. It’s a seamless way to reduce risks, restrict sensitive access when necessary, and give businesses peace of mind, without placing extra burdens on employees.
What is geofencing for device security?
At its core, geofencing is about setting digital perimeters that automatically trigger actions when a device crosses them. These “control zones” let businesses enforce location-based security policies, giving IT teams a powerful, automated way to protect data without relying solely on user behavior or constant manual oversight.
Geofencing can help businesses by:
- Restricting app or data access outside office premises: Keeps sensitive systems from being opened on unsecured networks.
- Enabling device tracking within certain locations: Helps IT teams know where critical assets are, reducing loss and misuse.
- Automating notifications and lockdowns for stolen or misplaced devices: Provides instant response, cutting down on exposure when a device goes missing.
Business risks that make geofencing relevant
Data breaches are hitting harder than ever, and the numbers speak for themselves. The 2025 DBIR shows more than 12,000 confirmed breaches, with human error driving around 60% of them. Add ransomware and third-party risks to the mix, and the financial impact is staggering—the average breach now costs $4.88 million, making prevention and smarter controls a business priority.
At the same time, employees are working from everywhere, often on devices IT never fully manages. BYOD adoption is nearly universal, and IoT endpoints multiply the potential entry points into corporate networks. For IT teams, that means juggling thousands of endpoints, patch cycles, and access rules, an overwhelming task. That’s where geofencing steps in, simplifying enforcement through automation.
BYOD & Remote Work Snapshot
- 95% of organizations allow personal devices; 82% actively leverage BYOD policies.
- 67% of employees use personal endpoints for work even without official approval.
- 32.6 million Americans (22% of the workforce) work remotely in 2025.
- 83% of workers prefer hybrid work models.
- Globally, 75% of employed adults work from home at least occasionally.
Benefits of geofencing as a business control zones strategy
Using geofencing as a control zone strategy gives businesses a smart way to tighten endpoint security without slowing anyone down. It works quietly in the background, enforcing location-based rules that help reduce risk, support compliance, and simplify IT’s job, all while letting employees stay mobile and productive.
- Invisible, automated layers of protection: No need for constant user input, security triggers happen the moment a device moves in or out of a zone.
- Better balance of mobility and security: Employees stay flexible, but sensitive access is still protected based on location.
- Control over BYOD and personal/corporate data separation: Easily apply rules that safeguard company data without overstepping into personal use.
- Compliance support (HIPAA, ISO): Helps meet regulatory requirements by limiting access to sensitive data and automating enforcement.
- Reduced workload for IT teams: With automation in place, IT can stop micromanaging endpoints and focus on more strategic work.
Practical use cases for businesses
Geofencing is a very flexible solution, and it solves real problems for businesses of all sizes. Whether you're managing a remote workforce, securing sensitive data, or juggling dozens of devices, control zones offer an efficient way to automate enforcement and reduce exposure without slowing things down.
Data containment
Geofencing gives businesses the power to limit where sensitive applications can be used. If a device leaves the office or an approved site, access to internal apps or data is instantly restricted or shut down. This keeps confidential tools and systems from being opened on untrusted networks or in risky environments, helping prevent leaks before they happen.
Theft/loss prevention
No matter how careful your team is, devices can and will go missing, it's just a matter of time. With geofencing, you can set specific zones where company endpoints are expected to stay. If one crosses that boundary, the system can automatically trigger alerts, lock the device, or even wipe it remotely. It’s a fast, automated way to respond to theft or forgetfulness without needing someone to sound the alarm manually.
Tiered access
Not every device needs full access all the time. Geofencing allows businesses to define what resources are available depending on where the device is. For example, a BYOD laptop might access only low-risk apps while off-site but gain broader access when inside headquarters. This helps enforce least-privilege principles without relying on constant oversight or user intervention.
Rising adoption with MDM solutions
As more businesses turn to Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms, geofencing adds an extra layer of context-aware automation. Instead of applying blanket policies across the board, companies can tailor controls by location. This makes it easier to scale MDM programs, enforce location-sensitive policies, and adapt to shifting work models without creating additional complexity for IT admins.
Integration with enterprise mobility and compliance frameworks
Geofencing can help align device management with frameworks like HIPAA, ISO 27001, or internal mobility policies. It ensures sensitive data is only accessible under approved conditions—like being inside a secure zone or during working hours—without adding friction. These automatic controls support audits, reduce manual enforcement, and help meet regulatory standards without slowing down operations.
IoT and fleet security
From smart sensors to delivery tablets, IoT and fleet devices often operate outside traditional office spaces. Geofencing allows businesses to set operational boundaries, so if a device goes off-route or leaves a service area, it’s flagged immediately. This proactive control helps detect theft, prevent data misuse, and maintain visibility over critical endpoints spread across large areas.
Building geofences with Prey
Ever wish your devices could tell you they’re in the wrong place? With Prey’s geofences, they can. This powerful feature lets you create virtual boundaries on a map and define exactly what should happen if a device enters or leaves a specific area. It's a simple, proactive way to maintain control and ensure your assets are where they're supposed to be.
Use geofences to enforce location-based policies and usage guidelines. You can define virtual perimeters around approved work areas like an office, a warehouse, a campus, or even a client's site. When a device crosses one of these boundaries, you'll get instant notifications, which can be sent to specific users or custom groups.
Beyond simple alerts, you can automate powerful security responses. Trigger actions like sending a warning message to the device, making it sound a loud alarm, or even locking the screen to prevent unauthorized access. These automations help you respond instantly to potential threats without constant manual monitoring.
How do Prey’s Geofences work?
Creating a geofence is a straightforward process. You can set up as many as you need to cover everything from a single building to an entire country.
- Choose a shape that fits your needs. You can create custom geofences for specific sites, use a radius for a general perimeter, or even set boundaries that align with real-world country borders.
- Assign devices to your fences. Take device groups you created for departments or projects and match them to specific approved locations.
- Set up triggers and actions. Use a device's entry into or exit from a geofence as a trigger for a specific automated action.
Key benefits of using geofences
- Automated device control: Automatically restrict where devices can and cannot be used by making them accessible only within approved perimeters.
- Instant threat response: Automatically flag a device as Missing if it leaves a safe zone. This triggers automated reports with the device's location, photos, screenshots, and other critical information.
- Comprehensive monitoring: Geofences are visible on all your Prey maps, giving you a clear visual overview of your protected areas. You can also review Audit and History logs to track all recorded geofence interactions for internal and external reporting, which is especially useful for compliance audits.
- Integrated security: Geofencing is a powerful layer of your overall security strategy. When combined with other features like Loan manager, Location history, and Activity log, you get a full 360-degree view of your devices and users, giving you total control over your assets.
Create your own safe perimeters with geofences
In cybersecurity, “comfort zones” aren’t about staying safe by doing nothing, they’re about knowing your devices are exactly where they should be, doing only what they’re allowed to do. Geofences help you draw those digital boundaries, giving your team peace of mind and your data an extra layer of protection that doesn’t get in the way.
What would your ideal security comfort zone look like—and where would you draw the line?
Prey makes it simple to set them up and keep your endpoints in check. Get in touch with us to explore how geofencing can work for your team.
