What Is Mobile Device Management?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a technology that allows organizations to control and manage mobile devices used by their employees. It provides a centralized platform for IT administrators to monitor, configure, and secure devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

Mobile device management is a component of both of these:

  • Unified endpoint management
  • Enterprise mobility management

Mobile device management is used to optimize the security and functionality of mobile devices while also protecting the overall corporate network.

Why Is Mobile Device Management Important?

A mobile device management solution helps enforce security policies and can be used across multiple operating systems. It also helps with mobile application management which protects from potential threats coming in on employee devices.

Key features of a mobile device management platform include:

  • Mobile security
  • Enforcement of a mobile device management policy
  • Device inventory
  • Secure access
  • Role-based access
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Protection against cyber threats

Using mobile device app management ensures your business-critical data doesn’t fall in the wrong hands.

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How Mobile Device Management Works

Here’s precisely how mobile device management works.

Leveraging Smart Devices with Security Software

Mobile device management can be enhanced by an organization issuing smart devices for work purposes like a laptop, or smartphone, that have security software installed and are used as a work device. This fleet of devices will connect to a unified console and can protect sensitive business information against a security threat. 

Issuing these devices also allows administrators to keep an active directory of devices which are connecting to the company’s network. 

Company-issued devices will help limit the use of individual devices which could pose a threat to the company network’s security.

Security Apps

You can install security apps to devices, manage device lifecycles, and control the entire device fleet to ensure they are all up to date. Having a limited range of devices allows for mobile device security to be implemented across the entire fleet, making it easier to:

  • Enforce mobile threat defense
  • Protect against mobile security vulnerabilities and threats

Top 10 Mobile Device Management Best Practices

Whether using an in-house system from a central console, or a cloud-based model, ensuring that you’re maximizing security features across business applications will help prevent unauthorized access without impacting mobile endpoint security.

The best mobile device remote management solutions can help you:

  • Save time
  • Improve employee productivity
  • Increase security
  • Boost production

Some other things you may want to consider:

  1. Enforce device enrollment: Require all corporate devices to be enrolled in the MDM solution.
  2. Provisioning: Automatically configure devices with necessary settings, apps, and policies upon enrollment.
  3. Separation: Maintain a clear separation between personal and corporate data on devices.
  4. Strong passwords: Require strong passwords or passphrases for device access.
  5. Biometric authentication: Consider using biometric authentication (e.g., fingerprint or facial recognition) for added security.
  6. Lock screens: Set a short screen lock timeout to prevent unauthorized access.
  7. Remote wipe: Enable remote wiping capabilities to erase data on lost or stolen devices.
  8. Encryption: Encrypt all data on devices to protect it from unauthorized access.
  9. Data loss prevention (DLP): Implement DLP policies to prevent sensitive data from being shared or transferred inappropriately.
  10. App store: Allow only approved apps from authorized app stores (e.g., Apple App Store, Google Play Store).

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Perimeter 81 is your partner for cybersecurity solutions for your organization. We have the expertise to help ensure you’re implementing the best practices to protect your valuable data.

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FAQs

How does MDM help with device lifecycle management? 
MDM can help organizations manage the entire lifecycle of their devices, from provisioning and deployment to retirement. This includes tasks like distributing new devices,wiping data from old devices, and tracking device usage over time.
How does MDM help with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies? 
MDM can be used to implement BYOD policies by allowing employees to use their personal devices for work purposes while maintaining security and compliance. MDM can enforce corporate policies, restrict access to sensitive data, and remotely wipe devices if necessary.
How does MDM ensure data security for remote workers? 
MDM can help ensure data security for remote workers by enforcing encryption, password policies, and remote wipe capabilities. It can also restrict access to sensitive data and monitor device usage to identify potential security threats.
How does MDM help with compliance for remote workers? 
MDM can help organizations ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies for remote workers. This includes enforcing data privacy regulations,preventing unauthorized access, and tracking device usage to ensure compliance with internal policies.
How does MDM integrate with other IT systems? 
MDM can integrate with other IT systems, such as Active Directory, identity and access management (IAM) solutions, and cloud platforms. This integration can help streamline device management processes, improve security, and provide a more unified view of the IT environment.
How can MDM be used to automate device management tasks? 
MDM can be used to automate many device management tasks, such as device enrollment, configuration, and app distribution. This can help reduce the workload on IT staff and improve efficiency.

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