As the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend continues, it’s important for businesses to implement a Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution.
If you work in IT, you know how crucial it is to have an organised management process for user devices on your network. A recent report stated 40% of mobile devices are prone to cyber-attacks, which is a perfect example of what can go wrong when you don’t have an appropriate level of control over connected devices.
An MDM solution ensures employee devices are locked with passwords, encrypted, and cannot access unauthorised sites or apps. It also tracks personal apps so they are not at risk from cybercriminals.
What is Mobile Device Management?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a solution that helps businesses secure, configure, and control devices connected to their networks. It allows you to remotely lock and wipe company devices if they are lost or stolen. You can also remotely install apps, configure settings, track lost devices, and more.
An MDM solution grants IT admins access to apps on employee devices. With that access, you can remotely install software like Citrix and Microsoft Remote Desktop. And you can remotely access data stored on those devices — even if they’re encrypted.
Support a BYOD program
As more people use their smartphones as their primary devices, MDM has become increasingly important for businesses, as it lets IT administrators control which apps and services can be used on the device and also whether it can be synced with corporate email and calendar accounts.
While not all types of MDM are created equal, most allow IT administrators to set policies for employees’ devices. For example, they may be able to control access to specific apps and can even require that employees sign in with their official account before using their device at work.
Having a robust MDM strategy is key for any organisation that wants to ensure that employee productivity remains high while keeping the lines of communication open between employees.
Enhanced data and network security
MDM can reduce data breaches by limiting access to sensitive data stored on these devices. By controlling which applications employees can use on their phones, MDM can prevent employees from accidentally downloading viruses or other malware onto their devices. It can also be used to enforce strict password requirements for employees so that they are less likely to share passwords with third parties
In addition, it allows administrators to remotely wipe any lost or stolen devices so that any sensitive data is not left exposed. In this way, MDM has the potential to significantly improve data and network security by ensuring that all devices are properly secured at all times.
Monitor device access to business resources
Employees are likely to use their personal devices to access company data. With an MDM solution, you can monitor which devices are accessing sensitive information, and limit access to certain devices. This way, you can make sure employees are using the right devices to access business data.
An MDM solution also allows you to monitor the devices that are accessing company resources like email, file servers, and calendars. You can also monitor which apps employees are accessing on their devices.
Another way MDM can help you monitor company resources is by tracking location data. This is particularly helpful for businesses that send employees out on the road.
Greater access control
With MDM, you can remotely manage and restrict employee devices, giving you more control and transparency over how they use their phones and tablets when conducting business or on work hours.
By monitoring where, when, and for how long employees are using their devices, you can ensure that they’re not wasting time on unproductive tasks. It will also prevent employees from accessing company data on their personal devices or in their own time, and reduce the possibility of an internal party stealing company information.
Offer real-time support
By centralising controls over mobile devices in your business, you can increase productivity by allowing employees to access their work devices when needed, including providing remote assistance and monitoring. This can help you to prevent problems before they happen and also keep employees productive.
MDM allows you to enforce a set of policies across all of your users’ devices. This way, you can ensure that each employee follows the same guidelines and standards when accessing your network resources. By doing this, you can reduce risk and increase overall security while also reducing support costs.
Implement the right MDM solutions for your business
If you want to take control of your company’s data and communications, you need Mobile Device Management. This is because MDM offers a wide range of features that can help you protect your business against cyber-attacks, harness greater control over your company data and digital assets, and help your employees better manage their resources, user accounts, and day-to-day tasks.
The MDM specialists at Itopia can help you setup an MDM solution designed for your business’s needs, user devices, and operations. Talk to them today and increase your daily efficiency, productivity, and cyber security.
