Mobile devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops and other portables have become indispensable tools in most workplaces. Mobile device management (MDM) focuses on the security, configuration and administration of these devices for companies. Ultimately, MDM aims to securely manage content and devices across an organization's network. Projections suggest that 93.5 million workers will use mobile devices in work settings in 2024. MDM software will be vital to help ensure these phones and tablets increase productivity and connectivity without sacrificing security.
How mobile device management works
MDM strategies vary depending on the industry, device types and security issues. However, centralized administration, security monitoring and remote device access are common threads in almost every MDM platform. Administrators use the centralized system to access corporate-owned or BYOD devices within their company. They can enroll and update new devices remotely, granting permissions and verifying settings on work-issued and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) equipment. The MDM software provides an extra layer of protection by facilitating device tracking, remote locking and wiping capabilities.
Why mobile device management is important
Mobile device management helps ensure all phones, laptops and tablets handling sensitive data don't have security vulnerabilities and can be wiped if stolen. This lets employees enjoy the convenience and productivity improvements of mobile devices while minimizing cybersecurity weak points. In some industries, like healthcare and finance, companies are required by law to protect customer data. The centralized platform helps ensure all devices meet these compliance standards. With 82% of companies allowing BYOD in some form, administrators likewise can use MDM software to onboard personal devices and ensure proper security and settings.
Benefits of mobile device management strategies
Mobile device management brings specific benefits to companies of all sizes, including:
- Enhanced cybersecurity
- Ability to access, update or wipe devices remotely
- Verification of employee compliance with usage practices and policies
- Efficient remote onboarding of new devices
- Better risk management with remote lock and wipe capabilities
- Efficient installation and configuration of business applications MDM software can also lead to cost savings. While BYOD programs limit hardware costs, implementing an MDM solution ensures devices (whether corporate-owned or BYOD) with access to corporate data are remotely updated, which in turn lowers management and maintenance times.
Mobile device management strategies
Here are the methods administrators can employ as part of a comprehensive MDM program.
- Containerization: Involves creating isolated memory within the device to separate personal and work data.
- Mobile application management (MAM): Focuses on securing individual applications rather than worrying about the security of the device itself. This approach helps ensure user privacy in BYOD situations without compromising security.
- Over-the-air (OTA) control: Enables over-the-air updates, application distribution and onboarding, allowing administrators to efficiently add or remove permissions and applications from devices.
- Mobile content management (MCM): Focuses on the security of company data through encryption or cloud hosting, with access controlled by permissions and login credentials.
- Continuous verification: Employs zero-trust security continuous monitoring of user behaviors and device statuses to constantly assess users for suspicious behavior.
- Role-based access control: Uses different permissions and access controls based on the user's role. Each employee has job-specific access to the data and resources, but they don't have unlimited access to the entire company system. Companies can choose the best strategies for them by defining their access needs and the types of devices employees will use. They can then determine security requirements and list necessary features to ensure that the chosen platform will provide these essentials.
Important features of MDM software
Administrators employ different MDM features based on their chosen strategies and device types. These tools allow them to manage administrative and security processes easily.
- A mobile device management platform serves as the central component of the device management system. These tools often include dashboards for device tracking, updates and other administrative tasks.
- Identity and access management (IAM) directories provide user authentication, access controls and permission settings.
- Security information and event management (SIEM) tools monitor activity on company devices. They alert administrators of potential threats, giving them time to respond or make additional threat assessments.
- Endpoint detection and response tools constantly monitor devices to provide early warning of potential security threats. They may automatically limit mobile devices until administrators can assess the problem. MDM systems also need data backup features to make sure information is safely stored in case a device needs to be wiped or removed from the system.
Best practices for mobile device management
The details of a mobile device management strategy vary by industry and size of business. However, the following best practices are essential for almost all situations.
- Define policies and practices to avoid potential misunderstandings.
- Use robust authentication and monitoring practices such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect against password theft. Then, deploy continuous monitoring to detect suspicious behavior on applications and networks.
- Use encryption to provide an extra layer of security. It helps ensure a hacker cannot read data stolen during transmission. Only someone with a decryption key would be able to see the information. It's also important to provide support and give employees a point of contact for any questions or concerns about their devices and policies.
Mobile device management for small-to-medium businesses
Small and medium-sized businesses can use third-party mobile account management or MDM platforms. These allow many of the features of enterprise-level platforms without the need to build or customize consoles or integrate additional tools. Smaller companies may not have the time or personnel for intensive administration, so they require a cloud-based platform that provides necessary OTA updates and security monitoring features while streamlining MDM processes. In addition, small businesses should seek scalability MDM tools so they don't need to change to a new system as the company grows.
Mobile device management for large businesses
Efficiency and automation are essential for larger businesses implementing an enterprise MDM program. For instance, a company can use automated over-the-air enrollment for its BYOD program. Automated reports also help find and define trends related to usage and application performance, offering insights into the effectiveness of compliance and security policies. Large firms must create clear policies for device use, configurations and security settings and practices. These rules empower employees to know the best practices and requirements, and also encourage consistency in the management of devices.
Integration challenges and solutions
An MDM strategy must account for all the tools and processes currently in place at a company. Devices must meet baseline requirements for remote control and updates, configuration and security. Also, the devices should integrate into the system without compromising productivity. Here are common challenges customers may encounter during integration.
- Device diversity: It can be difficult to create hardware and configuration standards when employees bring many different devices to work. Administrators should set and publish baseline requirements that all devices must meet to qualify for a BYOD program.
- Different operating systems: Administrators should make sure MDM processes work predictably on device OS setups.
- Privacy: Administrators may find it challenging to balance user privacy with access control and security monitoring. Solutions like containerization or app-level security can protect without monitoring all activity on the device.
- Connection security: Insecure Wi-Fi or data connections can compromise the business's network or applications. VPNs and comprehensive endpoint security strategies help facilitate connectivity while adding extra security layers. Administrators must be aware of device lifecycles. They should continuously update baseline requirements for performance and security, removing devices that don't meet these fundamentals.
Related tools and strategies
One step a company could take is to purchase or allow corporate-owned devices for their employees that have the necessary support and performance capabilities. Administrators might also provide or require mobile plans with data connections and bandwidth to perform necessary business tasks and meet security requirements. They could also consider plans with uncapped data that don't throttle speed or cut off users when they pass usage thresholds. With the right MDM strategies and services, companies can embrace the productivity offered by mobile devices without exposing their business to added security risks.
