Mobile Device Management (MDM) revolves around deploying, securing, monitoring, integrating and managing not just mobile devices—smartphones and tablets—but also laptops, desktops and even IoT devices in the workplace.
Instead of mobile device management, you should think of unified endpoint management (UEM).
With the rapid rise in mobile security threats and the increased compliance requirements from GDPR, every company should have some form of mobile management strategy.
With the difficulty and management time involved in enforcing policy, it is understandable why many organisations, big and small, are choosing Mobile Device Management (MDM) platforms to simplify the management headache while protecting from today’s cyber security threats.
What is Mobile Device Management?
MDM software allows the management and distribution of apps, configuration and security settings, monitoring for malware, patching firmware and apps, and containerisation of business data—really, anything administrators require to manage, monitor and secure their mobile workforce—all from a unified cloud-based dashboard.
When an organisation needs to monitor employees’ smartphone and tablet use, an MDM platform will be the first and most essential technology to deploy; it’s a great starting point and plays an important role in the overall enterprise mobile management strategy.
Technology has evolved significantly in recent years, which is why we’re seeing the rapid advancements of mobile phones, tablets and other devices being used not just when out of the office but also as a preference and convenience over PCs.
1. A Full Suite of Management & Security Tools
The MDM platform your company selects should include a full suite of management and security tools, for any device - iOS, macOS, Android or Windows - whether a company-owned or employee-owned (BYOD - Bring Your Device). Important capabilities should include:
Management
- Rapid device enrolment, ‘Over-the-Air’
- Integration of devices with Enterprise systems
- Central management of devices
- Remote app and configuration management
- Geo-fencing rules, based on device location
- AI engine to identify and action productivity & security improvements
Security
- Identify management
- Patch and update management
- Proactively secure monitoring software and security threats
- Secure container for sensitive documents and content
Productivity
- Comprehensive monitoring and reporting functions
- Integration with Microsoft Exchange, Lotus Notes, etc.
- Mobile expense management, to avoid excess bill charges
- Individual or bulk device enrolment
- Registering of BYOD devices
Compliance
- Secure mobile mail
- Ability to segment personal and corporate data, and selectively wipe corporate data
- GDPR compliance rules to prevent loss of PII
All of the benefits focus on protecting the integrity of the company network and the sensitive data it contains. Let’s examine the unmistakable benefits of implementing an MDM platform.
2. Easily Manage Your Devices
Being able to manage users and their devices remotely is a massive benefit.
Remotely update critical security patches of firmware, apps, or device security configuration—in bulk, across hundreds of devices, in minutes.
By remotely managing your mobile workforce, you can attain the same level of oversight as you would with your network endpoints and quickly gain control of all devices 24/7. This significantly improves mobile security and solves the management headache.
Remote Management of Mobiles
Remote management of mobile devices also allows you to quarantine, disable, or remove any unauthorised applications or users, ensuring your data is always secure, such as when employees leave. In the fast-paced world we operate in today, any avoidable, time-consuming activity is a loss of productivity and a distraction from one’s primary job function.
You can no longer afford to have technology issues responded to in hours or days—the expectation is that IT support can react within minutes. An MDM platform provides that ability—an immediate and visible advantage to every user, from the CEO down.
3. Keeps Applications and Data Secure
An MDM platform, like Microsoft Intune ensures that all your systems and software are up-to-date and patched to combat any identified security vulnerabilities. These updates can be centrally controlled and audited, so they protect your devices and data. They are also required for government compliance.
Similarly, both business and public apps can be centrally managed, with required apps installed upon configuration or policy-based rules governing permitted or prohibited apps.
This can be broken down even further, as the platform provides role-based access management and the ability to remove or turn off an application if a process changes.
4. Embrace BYOD with MDM
While businesses usually stay away from any device that the company doesn’t own, they have been quick to embrace BYOD (Bring Your Device), with big cost savings and productivity benefits, yet with minimal management requirements. However, as the power of devices has increased, so has the amount of company data stored outside the traditional security perimeter.
With the introduction of GDPR and the ever-changing security threats from mobile malware and data loss, organisations have realised that they require a dedicated BYOD policy, with effective management and security protocols in place.
› Remote locate, lock and wipe
Business and personal data can be segmented and containerised on BYOD devices, so you can have the best of both worlds—effective corporate security and management control without the upfront cost of large numbers of devices. And when an employee leaves, you can selectively remove all corporate information remotely.
5. Automated Device Registration
MDM solutions are generally equipped to automatically support new device registrations. This is usually done by sending an email to the user or owner of a specific device that allows them to register the device, so remote configuration of Wi-Fi settings, business applications, and user policies can be applied.
Device Enrolment in Minutes
Enrolment takes minutes and saves significant amounts of ongoing management time.
Saving time with device registration also allows your IT department to focus elsewhere, as it minimises direct involvement in the set-up process. A clear dashboard showing the status of every device makes management simple and saves a lot of unnecessary hassle!