13 Apr Mobile Device Management: An Overview
What is Mobile Device Management?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a type of software solution designed to manage and secure mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, used by employees within an organization.
MDM provides a centralized platform to manage and monitor mobile devices, their applications, and data, regardless of their location or ownership. It enables IT administrators to enforce policies and procedures on mobile devices, such as password requirements, data encryption, and device restrictions.
MDM software allows administrators to remotely install, update, and remove applications on mobile devices, as well as monitor device usage and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. It also enables administrators to wipe data from lost or stolen devices to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
MDM is commonly used by organizations to ensure the security of their data and to comply with industry regulations. It is especially important in environments where employees are using personal mobile devices for work purposes, also known as bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies.
How does Mobile Device Management benefit SMBs in ‘high trust’ sectors?
Improved Security: High trust sectors such as financial and professional services, law and nonprofits require strict security measures to protect sensitive data. MDM provides centralized control over mobile devices, allowing administrators to enforce policies and procedures, such as device encryption and password requirements, to ensure data security.
Compliance: High trust sectors are often subject to strict regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. MDM can help SMBs in these sectors comply with these regulations by providing the necessary tools to secure and manage mobile devices.
Increased Productivity: MDM enables employees to access corporate data and applications on their mobile devices, which can increase productivity and efficiency. With MDM, employees can securely access data and applications from anywhere, at any time, without compromising security.
Cost Savings: MDM can help SMBs save money by reducing the cost of managing mobile devices. With MDM, IT administrators can remotely manage and troubleshoot mobile devices, reducing the need for on-site support and maintenance.
What are some trends in Mobile Device Management?
Cloud-Based MDM: Cloud-based MDM solutions have become popular as they offer more flexibility, scalability, and easy management of devices from a centralized location. With cloud-based MDM, IT teams can remotely manage, secure, and monitor mobile devices over the internet.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): With more employees using their personal devices for work purposes, BYOD policies have become prevalent in many organizations. BYOD presents unique security and management challenges that MDM solutions must address, such as securing corporate data on personal devices and enforcing security policies.
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM): UEM is a comprehensive approach to managing and securing all endpoint devices, including mobile devices, laptops, desktops, and IoT devices. This approach aims to provide a single console for managing and securing all endpoints, reducing complexity and streamlining IT management.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): MDM solutions are incorporating AI and ML to improve their capabilities. For example, AI-powered analytics can help identify potential security threats and alert IT teams to take action before they become major issues.
Mobile Application Management (MAM): MAM focuses on managing and securing mobile applications, rather than the entire device. MAM solutions allow IT teams to distribute and manage applications, enforce security policies, and monitor app usage.
Internet of Things (IoT): As IoT devices become more prevalent in the workplace, MDM solutions will need to adapt to manage and secure these devices. This will require specialized solutions that can manage and secure a variety of devices with different capabilities and security requirements.
What are some best practices in Mobile Device Management?
Establish clear policies: Develop and communicate clear policies for the use of mobile devices in the workplace. Policies should cover topics such as acceptable use, password requirements, and device encryption. Employees should be informed of the policies and trained on best practices for device security.
Select the right MDM solution: Choose an MDM solution that meets the organization’s specific needs. Consider factors such as scalability, security features, and ease of management. Cloud-based MDM solutions can be more flexible and cost-effective for small and medium-sized businesses.
Keep devices up to date: Regularly update mobile devices with the latest operating system updates and security patches to address vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of cyber attacks. Implement automatic updates when possible to ensure devices are always up to date.
Use strong authentication: Require strong authentication for access to corporate data and applications on mobile devices. This includes multi-factor authentication, such as a combination of a password and a biometric factor, like a fingerprint or facial recognition.
Monitor devices: Monitor mobile devices for suspicious activity or unauthorized access to corporate data. Use MDM solutions to monitor device usage, enforce security policies, and remotely wipe data from lost or stolen devices.
Educate employees: Provide regular training and education to employees on mobile device security best practices, such as avoiding public Wi-Fi, using a strong password, and being aware of phishing attempts.
Implement BYOD policies: If allowing employees to use their personal devices for work purposes, implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that outlines requirements for device security and data protection. Consider using mobile application management (MAM) solutions to manage and secure corporate data on personal devices.
ABOUT ALTOURAGE
Altourage is a client-obsessed managed service provider, offering IT and Cybersecurity services to clients in ‘high-trust’ sectors, including Financial Services, Professional Services and Nonprofit Organizations.
We offer both fully managed and co-managed services – customizing our services or integrating with our clients’ existing teams to build successful long-term partnerships.