While “bring your own device” (BYOD) policies give employees an easy way to access company data, they carry a set of unique challenges.
Mobile device management works to address these challenges, and, when coupled with mobile application management, can help overcome them.
Even with a detailed policy and comprehensive software solutions, data leakage, user authentication, and access are still issues causing concern. Thankfully, as part of a greater strategy and approach, mobile application management is able to avoid these common challenges.
Mobile device management (MDM) is inherently challenging in an IT infrastructure based around employee-owned devices. Concerns over security, data leakage, and user access abound. MDM operates on the assumption that employees:
Beyond this, MDM alone doesn’t have a direct way of addressing device theft or less. Thankfully, there is a solution.
Managing mobile applications is a more granular approach that can mesh well with device management initiatives. Mobile application management (MAM) can provide a clear endpoint that gives a business greater control over their data while also minimizing how this affects an employee’s device.
For example, a remote monitoring endpoint solution as part of a company’s mobile application can notify IT managers when unauthorized apps are installed on an employee’s device.
Should a shady application attempt to access company data (with or without the employee’s knowledge), it is easily wiped from the device.
While MDM offers a level of integration necessary for normal operations, it is in many ways limited by its scope. A management solution for mobile applications, paired with MDM, improves integration options.
As a result, IT managers are no longer managing an IT infrastructure built on ad hoc solutions; they’re taking steps towards a comprehensive enterprise mobility approach that allows for greater flexibility while still providing a standardized approach.
While MAM and MDM are by no means the be-all, end-all when it comes to managing data (especially in a BYOD environment), they allow a company to take control of their data. In this way, they’re actively working to prevent data leaks from happening.
By taking these steps, companies gain full visibility of the devices in their network, improving security and effectively managing devices and data.