In today’s knowledge economy, it is essential to empower your end users with the tools necessary to increase their efficiency and productivity at work. Mobile devices are a key to drive work- irrespective of the industry the company belongs to. For this reason, mobile device management (MDM) should be a priority for any company, organization or institution.
Companies employing mobile devices and operating systems including Windows, Android, iOS and macOS were previously protected by on-premise device management. It’s a server that provides the storage capacity for enterprise-level applications, system files and all other information to access the info remotely. But, the world is undergoing a radical change. Users now rely on cloud services to save their files, including business-critical data. In turn, enterprises can hence use an MDM system, just like mobile device management in cloud security.
What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a software or service used to secure, monitor, manage and support mobile devices deployed across mobile operators, service providers and enterprises. It’s designed to reduce the support costs associated with a growing number of mobile devices by automating routine procedures such as:
- Remote configuration
- Remote monitoring
- Enrollment of new devices
- Application distribution
- Security management
- Policy enforcement
MDM addresses the security concerns of corporate data by implementing restrictions on devices that store sensitive information and enforcing policies that govern how employees can use them.
For example, MDM solutions provide security features such as device encryption, password enforcement, and remote wipe to protect against data loss in case of loss or theft. MDMs also provide features for deploying apps on multiple devices at once and configuring app settings remotely.
Mobile Device Management can be used for many different tasks, including:
- Configuring networks
- Installing security certificates
- Enforcing security policies
- Remotely wiping data from lost or stolen devices
- Providing over-the-air (OTA) distribution of applications
Aspects of MDM in Cloud Computing
Mobile Device Management is often implemented using a third-party product that has management features for particular vendors of mobile devices. In other cases, MDM is offered as a “service” (SaaS), also called “hosted MDM”. This kind of service allows for quick implementation without technical knowledge about the specific mobile devices being used in the organization.
In a business context, the primary purpose of Mobile Device Management is to monitor and control access to corporate data while allowing the user to retain ownership of their device. Other benefits include reducing mobile device support costs by providing self-help support capabilities to end-users; improving enterprise security through a remote lock and wipe; enforcing compliance with company policies regarding apps; encrypting data on the phone; preventing unauthorized access to corporate systems by blocking non-compliant devices, and automatically configuring email profiles.
There are several different aspects of device management:
- Security policies: how to control access to corporate data on a device
- Mobile application management: how to install or remove applications on a device
- Mobile content management: how to securely store and share documents on a device
- Identity management: how to ensure that only authorized users can access corporate data on the device
Features of MDM Solutions
MDM is the foundation for the company-wide adoption of mobile devices and applications and the development of BYOD programs. Without MDM, companies have little visibility into what goes on with their data, such as whether it’s been compromised or lost due to a lost or stolen phone. Employees are also less likely to comply with company policies if there isn’t an easy way to enforce them.
The MDM solution will provide the administrator with a dashboard to manage all devices connected to the corporate network. Here are some of the basic tasks performed by the MDM:
- Mobile devices enrollment
- Device configuration management, including profile management, security settings, and apps installation
- Remote device locking and wiping
The MDM solution can also provide advanced features like mobile threat protection, application blacklisting and whitelisting, app inventory management, geolocation for corporate devices, or data loss prevention.
Mobile Device Management in Cloud Security
Cloud computing has been a game-changer for organizations of all types and sizes. The cloud offers a cost-effective platform that is easy to set up and manage, requires minimal maintenance, and can be scaled automatically to meet changing needs. The cloud also offers better security than on-premises systems because the provider collects the infrastructure.
However, cloud security is not foolproof, and there are many ways in which sensitive data can get compromised, even with the providers’ best efforts. One of these is mobile devices. Mobile devices are very convenient for employees, who can use them to access corporate data from virtually anywhere. Hackers can also use them to steal that data when they fall into the wrong hands or is lost or stolen. This is why mobile device management in cloud security is so important.
No matter what type of mobile devices your organization uses — iOS devices like iPhones, and iPads; Android smartphones and tablets; Windows laptops and tablets; they need to be appropriately managed to minimize security risks.
Strategies to improve Cloud Security
When appropriately implemented, MDM can significantly bolster your cloud security posture. An effective MDM strategy consists of the following elements:
- Device discovery. If a device connects to your network, you should know what it is and who owns it.
- Devices should be configured only to run approved software.
- Apps should be configured to only transmit data through approved channels and gateways.
- Mobile devices should be monitored for unusual activity patterns. For example, if a mobile device typically only connects from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. but starts connecting at 3:00 a.m., this could indicate malware or other compromises.
- Devices should be checked periodically for current patches and updates.
- When possible, data on devices should be encrypted so that even if the device is lost or stolen, unauthorized parties can’t access it without the encryption key.
Benefits of Using MDM in Cloud security
There are many advantages of using MDM in Cloud Security. Here are some of them:
1) Security: One of the main advantages of using MDM is that it offers a high level of security for all mobile devices. Using this software, you can easily encrypt the data you share via your device. This ensures that no one can access it without your permission.
2) Portability: Using this software, you can easily access the data from your mobile device from any location on earth. All you need is a good internet connection, and you can easily access all your files stored in the cloud storage system.
3) Scalability: As this software is based on cloud technology, it can scale up automatically according to an increase in subscribers. This makes it very cost-effective.
Wrapping Up
MDM is an essential and effective tool for keeping your company’s data secure, particularly regarding employees using their devices for work. It’s crucial to understand how MDM interacts with other tools and how it can help you protect yourself against the different types of threats.
