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Even though we’re in a post-pandemic world, remote work has been so normalized that millions of Americans are still working from home even with the removal of the pandemic restrictions. 

And with so many people still choosing to work from home, mobile device management (or MDM for short) will become even more important in maintaining a secure corporate network while also working efficiently.

Another recent trend is that employees are using mobile devices to work from home; both corporate or personally owned. This means that mobile devices are being used to access, edit, and share sensitive corporate data more and more.

In order to streamline and simplify the management of all these devices, MSPs and IT departments alike will need to know the ins and outs of MDM to keep their organization secure. In this article, we’ll take a look at MDM, why it’s important to any organization, and how MSPs can efficiently use one.

What is MDM?

MDM is an acronym that stands for mobile device management. It refers to the management of corporate or personal mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other “Internet of Things” devices) that employees use to access, edit, and share corporate files or data, which can include sensitive information.

MDM is a blanket term that also refers to both the monitoring and security sides of mobile devices within a network. Because there are so many aspects that are involved in MDM, most organizations use RMM software to effectively manage the mobile devices in their network.

Mobile devices are meant to be convenient and highly portable. In a working context, this means that employees can work from anywhere. However, this can open corporations up to data breaches, incidents of unauthorized data access, and heightened security risks. Especially because mobile devices are more susceptible to being stolen, hacked, or lost.

MDM enhances corporate data security because it allows MSPs to control and distribute standardized security policies to devices that have access to sensitive corporate data.

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What is BYOD?

BYOD (‘Bring Your Own Device’) is where employees use their own personal devices for work purposes. This is becoming far more commonplace, especially within younger workforces. Though BYOD saves companies a lot of money, it also creates a new vulnerability within a network’s security. 

Through RMM software with network discovery, you can see each of the mobile devices (and stationary devices) in one easy-to-manage screen. This will help you get ahead of any potential issues before they arise, even if your employees are using their own devices within your organization’s network.

Allowing a BYOD policy with your employees can be a great way to stay within a company budget, as long as you have the means to manage them efficiently remotely

What does MDM do?

Broadly speaking, MDM refers to the procurement, deployment, management, and support of the mobile devices within a specific corporation. MDM covers a number of functions, such as:

  • Device enrollment
  • Overall mobile device security
  • Data segregation for different users
  • Email security on mobile devices
  • Document security on mobile devices
  • Application security
  • Browser security
  • Set standardized usage rules for enhanced security.
  • The standard configuration of corporate devices
  • Standard app catalog
  • Equipment, policy, and application updates
  • Configuring VPN & Wifi settings
  • Monitoring user activity
  • Monitoring and tracking equipment performance
  • Troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • Storing information about mobile devices (device inventory)
  • Securing devices that have been lost or stolen
  • Identity and access management

Why is MDM important?

Mobile device management offers a way to centrally monitor the mobile devices your employees use within your business while ensuring maximum security and productivity. Without a central management system, your business’ network is at higher risk of bad actors infiltrating your network.

Through MDM software, MSPs and IT departments are able to minimize corporate cyber-security risks. At their fingertips, they’re able to monitor, control, and protect the data of all mobile devices in a network. And maybe its biggest functionality, MDM allows employers to monitor the use of sensitive data that may be stored within a mobile device in their network.

Here are some other reasons why MDM is important for MSPs:

  • Save time by automating repetitive tasks
  • Customize corporate policies to streamline your workflow
  • Implement blanket policies to maximize efficiency
  • Quickly ensure that all your managed devices are compliant with key legislation
  • No need for end-user involvement in the management of their device
  • Manage various types of devices from a centralized software

How does MDM work?

Most MSPs and IT departments carry out their MDM using third-party software that is tailored to specific devices. It usually consists of a combination of applications installed on the device, configurations, corporate policies, certificates, as well as backend infrastructure.

Employees will either have a corporate device or enroll their personal device, if they use it for remote work. In cases where the device is personally owned, MSPs can grant role-based access to corporate data and email.

MDM works via correspondence between a server component and a client component. First, MSPs configure and send out management commands from the server component. This command is then received and actioned by the client component that runs on the end-user device.

MDM software can remotely push configurations, applications, and other security policies. MDM can either be on-location or cloud-based, but cloud-based solutions are quickly becoming the norm due to their convenience.

What does MDM software do?

In a modern context where most corporations have a lot of devices (both mobile and stationary) within their network, MDM solutions are designed to facilitate efficient, consistent, and scalable management.

MDM software ensures that your network’s end-users can quickly and easily use their devices without major hiccups in performacne or security. By automatically detecting any new devices on the network and configuring them for immediate use, while notifying you about suspicious activity or device usage, you’ll be able to limit any potential cybersecurity nightmares.

By using an MDM (like the one that we offer here at Atera!), you’ll be able to stay on top of remotely managening and monitoring devices within your network with real-time device compliance checks, configuration pushes, and security policy applications. We’re also industry-leaders thanks to our robust patch management solution for both Windows and Mac, automating software updates and installations​.

And with more advanced features like AI and remote access integrations with tools like Splashtop and AnyDesk, you’ll be able to operate at peak organizational IT efficiency. Lastly, with network discovery you’ll get a birds-eye view of the devices within your network, which will improve your IT asset management and RMM security capabilities.

What to look for in MDM software

If you run an MSP or IT department, here are some of the factors you should take into consideration when selecting MDM software:

On-premises or cloud-based MDM

As we mentioned, MDM can be on-premise or cloud-based. Though your client may have a specific preference, be aware of the different security considerations relating to both types.

On-premise MDM will be more expensive, but you’ll have slightly more control. While using a cloud-based MDM will be more affordable, easy-to-setup, and scalable.

Supported devices and features

Be aware that certain software is only configured to support select types of devices, features, or management styles. You’ll need to identify what kind of controls you need, as well as the type of policies you need to enforce, and then cross-check against the capabilities of potential MDM software.

How devices are enrolled

This is an important factor if you or your client works on a BYOD model, because you’ll likely have more personally-owned devices that need to be managed and monitored.

You should also consider the type of enrolment, whether that’s zero-touch, admin, or self-enrolment.

Device monitoring

Certain MDM software allows for real-time monitoring and tracking of devices, as well as checking device compliance. You should consider how the MDM’s offerings might integrate into your existing processes.

MDM and the future of work

Flexible and remote working are most certainly here to stay. Even as employees move to a hybrid working structure, the convenience, portability, and accessibility of mobile devices means that their use for professional purposes will persist. 

With this in mind, MSPs and IT departments should gear up for enhanced MDM protocols that are efficient, effective, and straightforward. Most importantly, to truly adapt to the new working world, they need to be equipped to manage and monitor a large number of remote mobile devices at any one time.

To step up your IT management game, take a spin of Atera’s RMM and MDM software, with our free 30-day trial. We won’t even ask for your credit card; just sign up and see the future of IT management.

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