Mobile device management (MDM) is a management system for a fleet of mobile devices, designed to keep them secure without sacrificing user experience and data security. Many businesses find the mobility offered by mobile devices is highly valuable for their operations; however, that can introduce some security complications because mobile endpoints can be particularly vulnerable.

That’s where MDM becomes important. MDM helps organizations reap the benefits of using mobile devices while protecting the overall network and security of their data. It’s especially important for enterprise organizations, given many of those devices have access to valuable information. If a device is stolen, hacked, or lost, it becomes a security risk. MDM can help businesses set up protections for these devices.

What MDM entails depends on the organization. It is both software as well as a full set of techniques to keep devices secure. Read on to learn more about what makes up an MDM approach, the benefits of using MDM, and best practices.  

Evolution and Importance of MDM

For years, security and connection focused primarily on computers. Computers have evolved to spread into the cloud; but other than that, security and connectivity have stayed relatively the same. Mobile devices, however, provide new challenges for businesses given their small size, often connected to a variety of networks, and used for a diverse set of use cases.

Originally, MDM could focus on only a few devices because they weren’t so widespread geographically. Those mobile devices could be locked down and connected to keep the company secure. However, the increase in devices being used has called for changes in MDM. Now, MDM is prepared to handle enterprise-level mobile devices in a variety of situations and to meet many different needs. 

MDM provides a strong foundation for managing many mobile devices in many situations. Establishing a framework of MDM is important to protecting a business, from small to large enterprises. Having a secure system for mobile devices allows companies to maximize the way they use those types of devices.

Core Components of MDM

An MDM framework can come in many forms and include a wide variety of features. These are some of the core components of MDM that most systems include:

• Device Tracking: Mobile devices are small and can be anywhere. Having some form of GPS tracking can help teams keep track of every mobile device. On top of that, device tracking can allow an enterprise’s team to monitor and even update and adjust devices remotely. That gives IT teams the ability to lock down or wipe clean devices that are stolen or lost to protect the device.
• Application Security: Application security allows an organization to apply security or management features to any application it uses. The IT team can use a technique called app wrapping to repackage and then redeploy an app as a containerized program, which grants the IT team control over what kind of authentication is needed to open an app or the kind of data that will be stored or shared on the device. 
• Endpoint Security: Endpoint security is protecting and securing all devices that access a network. It includes mobile devices, laptops, wearables, Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, and more. Endpoint security can include standard network security tools such as antivirus software and network access control and incident response, URL filtering, and cloud security.
• Identity and Access Security: Identity and access management (IAM) allows an organization’s IT to manage who’s allowed to use certain devices. They can set up user identities associated with a device. They can also determine if a device needs features such as single sign-on (SSO), multi factor authentication, and role-based access.

Benefits of MDM in Enterprise Settings

Using some form of MDM gives organizations a number of benefits, including...

• Improved productivity. Mobile devices let employees use their own devices and take their work wherever they go. That allows them to be more productive and use their time effectively. With MDM, organizations, especially large ones, can take advantage of the productivity of mobile devices without having to risk security breaches. 
• Data security. A strong MDM foundation helps enterprises protect their data and private user information. Security is more important than ever with security threats increasing every day. Being able to protect mobile devices is an important part of a good security strategy. 
• Cost-efficiency. Strong MDM can save organizations money in a few ways. For one, using mobile devices can be highly cost-efficient, especially if used in a bring-your-own-device situation (BYOD). MDM also helps reduce the risk of a security breach, which can be immensely costly. Reducing the costs of security threats can be a more cost-efficient solution in the long run. 

Challenges and Solutions in MDM Implementation

Even with all the benefits of MDM, there are some challenges with implementing it that can make it difficult. Here are some of the main challenges and how they could be overcome: 

Heterogeneous Environments

Most MDM solutions out there have a serious shortcoming: they aren’t designed for heterogeneous environments. The reality is that heterogeneous environments are the new normal for most businesses, even small ones. Few workplaces are dominated by solely Windows or Apple anymore. Most are saturated with a wide variety of operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. 

The key is to choose an MDM solution that’s easy to integrate into a variety of situations. A highly adaptable solution will be able to work with a variety of operating systems and help an organization protect its endpoints in a heterogeneous environment. 

Security and Privacy Concerns

Just as security is an advantage with MDM, it can also be a concern. Mobile devices, by nature, are inherently risky. With more mobile devices, the level of risk of a breach also increases. There’s also an increased number of regulations to follow. Organizations can mitigate this risk by ensuring there are ample security measures in place. For example, restricting access to sensitive data and requiring authorization to view it can help keep data locked down, even on mobile devices. 

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) allows employees to use their own mobile devices for work. Doing this can help boost productivity and save employees time every day. It’s also a particularly popular policy for younger generations of workers. However, implementing BYOD for mobile devices can bring in a wide range of problems for enterprises. For example, there could be increased security risks, compliance issues, vulnerability to malware, and a loss of control over hardware used for company operations. 

An MDM solution that can distinguish between company-owned and personal devices, allowing IT teams to set up different policies and configurations for different mobile devices. 

Best Practices for Effective MDM Deployment

For companies that are implementing an MDM framework, these are some tips that can help it go smoothly: 

• Educate employees. Employees are an important part of protecting an organization - but they can’t do that if they don’t understand protocols and the role they play in security. Educating employees can help ensure they have the knowledge and tools needed to successfully use mobile devices for work. 
• Set up important protocols. Setting up business protocols that protect the corporate network can help make MDM easier. For example, requiring passcodes and two-factor authentication on devices, applications, and files. Or add anti-virus software to mobile devices and enforce updates to patch any vulnerabilities. 
• Have an app approval process. Whether you use BYOD or corporate devices, having a list of approved apps can help make MDM more effective. You might also set up a way for employees to suggest apps for approval. 
• Create rules for public work. Working in public is convenient for many remote workers and a part of the new normal work environment. However, it also introduces many opportunities for security risks. Preparing rules for how to keep public work safe with mobile devices can help MDM be more secure. For example, your organization might not allow employees to connect their mobile devices to public Wi-Fi networks. 

Future Trends and Innovations in MDM

Mobile devices and mobile device management aren’t going anywhere soon. Instead, it’s only going to become more common. These are some trends that may emerge in the next few years as MDM continues to develop:

• Endpoint diversity management. More non-traditional devices will continue to emerge as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand. IoT is creating a connective network of devices that allows people to use more devices, and MDM will adapt to that. Endpoint diversity management lets MDM solutions account for more devices like PCs, smartphones, tablets, wearables, and IoT devices. 
• More BYOD. Bring-your-own-device efforts will only grow in the next few years. After all, it saves organizations money and increases efficiency. As these programs grow, MDM efforts will adapt to handle the challenges, making it more and more effective.
• Cloud-based MDM. More business operates in the cloud today than ever before. In the coming years, MDM will evolve to also operate in the cloud. These newer solutions will be highly effective because of their scalability, flexibility, and simplified management. 

Embracing the Power of MDM

Overall, MDM is a powerful way to adapt to the increased use of mobile devices and to effectively use them for your business. Implementing an effective MDM strategy requires a strong level of connectivity. Connectivity is what links all mobile devices together and other devices that manage endpoints. Without a strong network of connectivity, MDM is hard to smoothly integrate. 

Learn more about how our approach to IoT can amplify your MDM efforts.