Mobile Device Management (MDM)

 What is Mobile Device Management?

Mobile device management (MDM) is software that allows IT administrators to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints.

Mobile Device Management is a core component of enterprise mobility management (EMM), which also includes mobile application management, identity and access management, and enterprise file sync and share. The intent of MDM is to optimize the functionality and security of mobile devices within the enterprise while simultaneously protecting the corporate network.

Modern enterprise mobility products support not only smartphones but also tablets, Windows 10 and macOS computers and even some internet of things (IoT) devices. The practice of using MDM to control PCs is known as unified endpoint management (UEM). UEM is widely considered the successor to MDM and aims to manage all enterprise devices with a single console.

Why mobile device management is important

In recent years, mobile devices have become ubiquitous in enterprise use. Businesses and their workforces rely on mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops for a wide assortment of tasks. And as working remotely has become essential, mobile devices have become an integral part of most organizations — vital tools for productivity and efficiency.

But because enterprise mobile devices access critical business data, they can threaten security if hacked, stolen or lost. So, the importance of managing mobile devices has evolved such that IT and security leaders are now tasked to provision, manage and secure mobile devices within their respective corporate environments.

With a mature MDM platform, IT and Security departments can manage all of a company’s devices, no matter their type or operating system. An effective MDM platform helps keep all devices secure while keeping the workforce flexible and productive.

How mobile device management works

A common question on the web is: “Is mobile device management a piece of software?” The short answer is “yes” and “no.” MDM is a solution that uses software as a component to provision mobile devices while protecting an organization’s assets, such as data. Organizations practice MDM by applying software, processes and security policies onto mobile devices and toward their use. Beyond managing device inventory and provisioning, MDM solutions protect the device’s applications, data and content. In this sense, MDM and mobile security are similar. However, MDM is a device-centric approach, whereas mobile security and unified endpoint management have evolved to a user-centric stance.

In an MDM program, employees can receive a dedicated work device, such as laptops or smartphones, or have a personal device remotely enrolled. Personal devices receive role-based access to enterprise data and email, a secure VPN, GPS tracking, password-protected applications, and other MDM software for optimal data security.

MDM software can then monitor the behaviors and business-critical data on enrolled devices. And with more sophisticated MDM solutions, they can be analyzed by machine learning and AI. These tools ensure devices are kept safe from malware and other cyber threats. For example, a firm might assign a laptop or smartphone to a staff member or consultant, pre-programmed with a data profile, VPN and the other necessary software and applications. In this scenario, MDM offers the most control to the employer. With MDM tools, enterprises can track, monitor, troubleshoot and even wipe device data in the event of theft, loss or a detected breach.

Keywords

Information Technology

Device Management

Device protection

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