What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?

Securing Mobile Devices in the Workplace: The Role of Mobile Device Management and Cybersecurity

Mobile Device Management, commonly referred to as MDM, is a security software used by Information Technology (IT) departments to monitor, manage, and secure employees' mobile devices that are deployed across multiple mobile service providers and across multiple mobile operating systems being used in the organization.

The primary purpose is to optimize the functionality and security of mobile devices within the enterprise while simultaneously protecting the company network. This means keeping the company's data secure while balancing devices', applications', and systems' performance to avoid any disturbances in the employees' productivity.

MDM solutions play an essential role in ensuring the security of mobile devices that have access to sensitive business data and are often connected to corporate networks. Mobile devices include smartphones, tablet computers and laptops that are usually either personally owned by the employee (Bring Your Own Device or BYOD policies) or they are supplied by the company.

Considering the reality we live in, where people work remotely in increasing numbers and depend heavily on accessing information from anywhere at any time, mobile devices have moved substantially towards becoming a prime vector for cyber-threats.

As a result, Mobile Device Management solutions help organizes extend the same level of security existing on its internal network to its fleet of mobile devices. MDM provided central control centre prevents any unauthorized access to corporate data via employee mobile devices, installs necessary security measures, manages and updates security settings, and closely monitors all registered devices.

MDM servers interface with client software on the mobile devices to effectively deliver these updates and installs. This management covers the lifecycle of a device starting from enrolment to retirement. MDM solutions allow downloading and updating applications over the air. They also diagnose and troubleshoot device and application issues.

In many cases, the tools are supplemented with Mobile Application Management (MAM) capabilities that allow IT teams to create a secure wrap around an existing enterprise application or even a new one and enable secure data interchange and integration. For optimal results, a good MDM strategy is often combined with acceptable usage policies (AUP), MAM tools and helps to define how devices, applications related to those mobile devices can be used in compliance with those policies.

Just like antiviruses, MDM solutions play an essential role in countering malware from infiltrating enterprise systems via mobile devices. By placing restrictions on device activities, blocking non-verified apps or rogue software, MDM can prevent mobile devices from turning into channel through which cybercriminals gain unauthorized access.

With the extensive use of mobile devices as part of the technological ecosystem of companies, it is increasingly common for employees to lose a device or have it stolen. Consequently, cybersecurity measures, including those carried out through MDM, are required to react swiftly to such incidents. Here, MDMs excel by remotely controlling and executing a factory reset or locking down device in event of device being compromised.

As such, antivirus platforms often complement MDMs by scanning the mobiles for threats and reporting them to the central management console for swift action, with the console deciding on the best course of action such as flagging the mobile, cutting it from accessing enterprise resources etc.

With significant technological advancements along with an increase in the mobile workforce, MDM has become crucial for businesses to ensure a secure and productive work environment. Although it requires balancing needs against rights of the employees for privacy, judiciously handled, MDM increases the efficacy of antivirus and cybersecurity measures, thereby assisting highly in maintaining a secure and balanced business environment.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) FAQs