Did you know that smartphone ownership has surged dramatically over the last decade? In 2016, there were approximately 3.7 billion smartphones in use worldwide, and today, that number has climbed to an impressive 6.84 billion. These devices have evolved from being simple communication tools to indispensable resources that hold the keys to both personal and professional lives.
In the workplace, smartphones are more than just personal gadgets; they’re essential for seamless communication and accessing company data on the go. However, this convenience has a downside. From corporate data hackers to street-level thieves, mobile devices are high-value targets, both for the information they hold and their resale potential. For businesses, a lost or stolen device can mean more than just replacing hardware—it could compromise sensitive data and put your entire organization at risk.
That’s why company cell phone tracking isn’t just a good idea—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re managing a small team or a large enterprise, having the right tracking tools in place helps protect company-owned devices, ensures compliance with legal standards, and makes recovering lost or stolen assets far more efficient.
Why company cell phone tracking is a necessity?
Employee turnover in the U.S. is on pace to hit 20% in 2022. High turnover rates at companies like Amazon, AFLAC, and Google might be good for the job market, but they can cause data security personnel nightmares as companies are continuously onboarding and training new end users while off-boarding old ones.
Making sure you’ve safeguarded your data and collected all of your loaned company devices can be overwhelming during a lot of employee turnaround and change. That’s where a phone location tracking solution comes in. Some more important benefits of a comprehensive enterprise phone location program include:
Theft prevention
According to the FBI, 70 million cell phones are lost every year. Additionally, 4.3% of corporate-issued cell phones are stolen each year, too. And 52% of devices are stolen from the workplace and another 24% from conferences.
Software that provides multiple types of phone location tracking can allow IT and physical security personnel to know exactly where an employee’s cell phone is lcated, if it leaves a facility or specific area, and the ability to lock a device remotely if any suspicious activity is detected. This is more efficient than trying to track down a lost or stolen cell phone by other means.
We should also consider rogue employees that steal their company assets. It is absolutely, categorically essential for technical enterprises serving clients that handle sensitive corporate data or personal data that is protected by law to have procedures in place that protect against data leaks - even those brought on by the worst case situations.
Monitoring the location of staff
Although this may sound a bit like a big brother, an agile organization can benefit greatly from knowing where its employees are at during work hours. Much like GPS tracking for law enforcement vehicles and even carting services, location software can help with deployment management and reaction times to urgent issues in the field.
Tracking an employee’s cell phone also allows you to find them during an emergency like a weather warning or other natural event.
Tracking employee productivity
If you have permission to track employee emails and communications, managers are then able to gain insight into how much their employees focus on work, especially during busy and pivotal times for your industry.
Increasing data security
At least 80% of the value lost when a phone is stolen is in the data that is accessible via that device. Phone location tracking programs give companies the ability to delete saved passwords and prevent access to internet accounts or banking credentials.
Guarding against insider threats
As any company in the retail sector can attest to loss prevention starts at home. When an employee becomes disgruntled or uses information in ways that breach company policy, tracking software can alert personnel of unusual activity, like access to confidential or need-to-know files, even if it happens off-hours.
Information loss prevention
Mobile device security can also incorporate corporate policy, too. For example, setting company-wide security policies on all devices like employing the lock screen feature and applications that require login credentials of 2FA every time they are accessed can help greatly with information loss prevention.
Phone security software can also limit the installation of mobile apps onto a device by an end user, which can take away the possibility of any malicious activities or the use of applications that access other information on a cell phone or tablet.
Is It Legal To Track Employee Phones?
It is legal to track an employee’s phone, especially if the phone is company-owned property. It’s much harder to track an employee’s personal device. If you do choose to monitor personal devices because they are used for work, a policy must be established that employees are aware of pertaining to monitoring and what is considered work product vs. personal business.
When you give an employee a company phone, it’s important to alert them that it will come with location and other data tracking on board. This is legal under federal law and each state may have its own interpretation, too.
Consider whether you want a record of conversations and phone calls, too. This is also legal under federal law, with some guidelines. Business data, including voice and text, on company devices, can be recorded, based on the business-related exception to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986.
How company phone tracking works
Company cell phone tracking relies on a combination of powerful yet accessible technologies that work seamlessly to safeguard your devices and data. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- GPS Tracking: This is the cornerstone of most tracking solutions. GPS (Global Positioning System) allows businesses to pinpoint the exact location of a device in real-time. Whether a phone is misplaced in the office or stolen during a commute, GPS provides a precise map to its location.
- Geofencing: Think of this as creating invisible boundaries. With geofencing, you can set predefined zones—like office premises or delivery routes. If a device leaves or enters these zones, you’ll get an instant alert. This is especially helpful for monitoring employee compliance or preventing theft. Learn more about how geofencing for device protection can be used in various environments.
- Tracking Software: Dedicated software, like Prey’s multi-device tracking platform, brings these technologies together. It doesn’t just track a device—it provides additional features like remote locking, wiping sensitive data, and generating detailed activity reports. These tools are designed to be easy to use, scalable, and adaptable to your company’s needs.
Tracking employees cell phone location: what features to look for
Choosing the right phone tracking solution isn’t just about keeping tabs on your devices—it’s about protecting your team, your data, and your bottom line. With the cost of data breaches skyrocketing, having the right tool in place is essential. But what features should you prioritize? Here’s a breakdown to help you make the best choice:
1. Stay on Top of Every Move with Real-Time Tracking
Your tracking solution should give you the ability to gather location updates as they happen, especially when movement is detected. Real-time data means you’re never in the dark about where your devices are—whether they’re safely in the office or unexpectedly on the move.
2. Keep All Your Devices in Check
Whether you’re managing a handful of phones or an entire fleet, scalability is crucial. Look for software that lets you monitor each device individually or take a global view of all your company’s devices from a single dashboard. That way, no device slips through the cracks, no matter how big your team grows.
3. Draw the Line with Geofencing
Geofencing is like setting invisible borders for your devices. A good solution will allow you to:
- Create zones and boundaries for specific areas, like office spaces or delivery routes.
- Set up alerts for when devices enter or leave these zones.
- Stay notified instantly when movement triggers your custom rules.
This isn’t just about security—it’s about peace of mind, knowing that your assets are exactly where they’re supposed to be.
4. Learn From the Past with Movement History
Being able to access a device’s movement history is a game-changer. You can track patterns, avoid high-risk zones, and even use this data to recover stolen devices. It’s like having a time machine for your tracking needs.
5. Be Smart About Licensing Costs
Nobody likes surprise fees. Make sure your tracking solution offers:
- Flexible licenses that can transfer to new devices if one is damaged or replaced.
- Clear pricing, so you know what to expect when your team grows or upgrades.
A fair and transparent licensing model will save you headaches—and money—in the long run.
6. Make Life Easier for Your Admins
Your tracking solution should make device management simple, not more complicated. Features like:
- Intuitive dashboards for quick access.
- Customizable alerts to avoid notification overload.
- Easy integration with your existing tools.
These small conveniences add up to big-time savings and smoother operations.
Takeaways
A high-quality enterprise phone location tracking solution offers more than just location monitoring—it empowers your team to enhance data security, prevent device theft, and minimize risks from information leaks or insider threats. The right software should provide essential features like:
- Access to multiple location technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, and GeoIP) for accurate tracking across various environments.
- Customizable tracking options, whether active or on-demand, to suit your company’s needs.
- Timestamped reports for clear visibility into device movements.
- Remote locking and access prevention in case of suspicious activity.
- The ability to wipe sensitive data, such as saved passwords, to protect internet accounts and financial credentials.
While many phone tracking solutions exist, most fall short when it comes to offering the comprehensive features needed to protect both physical and digital assets.
Prey’s Enterprise Solution combines these essential capabilities with advanced tools designed for businesses. Beyond just tracking, our platform enables you to monitor and manage laptops, tablets, and phones through an intuitive interface. With mass actions and a global map view, managing large fleets has never been easier.
Ready to protect your company’s mobile assets? Explore how Prey’s reliable tracking solutions can elevate your device security strategy.
