Over the past decade, mobile device usage has become an integral component of
enterprises across virtually every vertical. Today’s organizations and their staff rely on
mobile devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones to manage their daily tasks,
communicate with clients, and maximize productivity. Additionally, the rapid transition to
remote work models has further embedded mobile devices into the very fabric of
modern businesses.
Keeping up with dozens, if not hundreds, of enterprise devices is a daunting task on its
own, but the waters have become further muddled due to a trend known as bring-your-
own-device (BYOD), which enables employees to access critical business systems from
their personal devices.
The widespread adoption of mobile devices has been undoubtedly valuable to the
continued growth of today’s businesses, and your organization relies on personal
mobile devices to carry out mission-critical tasks and routine, day-to-day processes.
Ensuring your company’s data is safe and secure on personal devices requires
comprehensive mobile device management (MDM) technology.
Without such solutions in place, organizations will struggle to protect their business data
from looming and growing cybersecurity threats.
What Is Mobile Device Management?
Mobile device management refers to the administration of an organization’s mobile
devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Typically, MDM is facilitated via
the use of a third-party application that includes various management features.
However, mobile device management involves much more than just a piece of software.
It is a set of processes, policies, and best practices that are designed to protect a
device’s data, content, and applications. Together, this ensures devices are correctly
configured, provisioned, and secured in partnership with both the user and the
company. Users can be assured their privacy is maintained and the company can
ensure their risk is reduced.
Mobile Device Management vs. Enterprise Mobility Management
Mobile device management is a device-centric strategy that can be applied to devices
owned either by your organization or personally by your staff. The focus of MDM
strategies is relatively narrow, as they are designed to protect business data and
monitor the application and/or device.
Conversely, enterprise mobility management (EMM) is a broader variation of MDM
incorporating endpoint and application management in addition to device, user, and
data management.
EMM is often viewed as the natural evolution of MDM, as it is highly scalable and able
to accommodate BYOD equipment more effectively, though many organizations use the
terms EMM and MDM interchangeably, as it is assumed that their management
strategies will also encompass employee-owned devices and application data.
How It Works
Under a mobile device management program, an employee can bring their own device
or receive a device from their employer. Once enrolled, personal and dedicated devices
can receive role-based access to enterprise information, in addition to the following:
● Email
● A secure VPN
● Password-protected apps
● Communication tools like Zoom, Teams, and GoToMeeting
● Security profiles such as required biometrics for unlocking
● Additional mobile device management software
For enterprise-owned devices, mobile device management software can monitor
employee behaviors and any sensitive business data. Leading MDM solutions monitor
devices by using artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. These tools protect
devices and their data from various cyber threats.
Key Facets of Mobile Device Management Software
Leading mobile device management solutions facilitate the following:
Device Tracking
Some MDM software is configured to feature device-tracking capabilities, which allow IT
teams to monitor their devices’ locations in real-time. GPS monitoring enables remote
troubleshooting and enables IT professionals to detect non-compliant or high-risk
devices. Should a device be lost or stolen, they can remotely wipe or lock it. For
personal devices, this functionality is removed or can be opted-in, which is useful for
fleet management.
Application Security
Robust mobile device management solutions allow for a process known as “app
wrapping,” which involves applying management or security features to a third-party
app. Once “wrapped,” the IT team can deploy it as a containerized app. Containerizing
prevents a breached application from impacting other applications or the device.
Mobile Management
Mobile management is the general process of procuring, deploying, and providing
ongoing support for an organization’s mobile devices. As part of these efforts, IT teams
will ensure that the devices they procure include the requisite apps and operating
systems for their designated users.
Endpoint Security
Endpoint security protocols address any device that accesses an organization’s
network, including traditional mobile devices, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and even
wearable tech. Endpoint security is an aspect of the MDM strategy that can involve
implementing network access control tactics, deploying network security tools, and
leveraging URL filtering.
Access Management and Identify Verification
To maximize the security of their mobile devices, organizations must implement
advanced access management and identity verification protocols. These enable a
business to fully regulate each user’s access to the organization’s digital assets. A few
common access management and identity verification tools include multifactor
authentication and single sign-on (SSO) portals.
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Benefits of Mobile Device Management Software
Implementing a mobile device management solution and pairing that software with an
overarching strategy will allow your organization to:
Improve Efficiency
A mobile device management solution will empower your IT team to efficiently and
effectively oversee all of your organization’s technology assets, including enrolled
BYOD equipment and issued devices. In turn, your IT professionals will be able to
devote more of their time and energy toward tackling pressing organizational technology
needs.
Increase Security
Allowing your workforce to remotely access critical business data and applications
without supporting these activities via mobile device management leaves your business
vulnerable to cyberattack. Conversely, investing in a robust MDM solution will
significantly increase your security stance while simultaneously providing your team with
technical mobility.
Bolster Productivity
Permitting your workforce to bring their own devices is a great way of boosting morale
and bolstering productivity when balanced with your organization’s cybersecurity needs.
That’s where mobile device management comes is useful. Leading MDM software
facilitates seamless device enrollment and allows you to scale your strategy across all
network devices, whether provisioned by your IT team or provided by your employees.
Save Time
Manually monitoring device traffic, usage, and compliance is an impossible task that
wear on your indispensable IT resources. Fortunately, mobile device management
offers a viable alternative that will save time, money, and resources.
Enhance Overall Mobile Management Capabilities
Mobile devices are and will continue to be an essential component of your business
model. Embracing mobile device management capabilities by strategically implementing
the right technologies and strategies is important. A sophisticated MDM platform will
enhance your ability to manage your devices while also promoting peak productivity.
Rein In Your Mobile Devices with Red Bigfoot
Mobile device management is an aspect of organizational cybersecurity that cannot be
overlooked. However, configuring, rolling out, and managing your own MDM solution
can be time-consuming, expensive, and impractical. The good news is – you don’t have
to.
At Red Bigfoot, we understand the nuances of managing a vast network of enterprise-
owned and BYOD equipment. Our talented team can help you implement a proven
MDM solution and configure it to align with your policies, business needs, and security
goals. We specialize in serving clients that operate in highly regulated, tightly monitored
verticals and know how to support your compliance initiative.
To learn more about our mobile device management services, schedule a consultation
with Red Bigfoot today.