What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and why is it important?

Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions are applications that help organizations manage the mobile device lifecycle for both corporate and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

 

Emerging in the early 2000s, these tools allow IT administrators to manage all devices that connect to corporate networks, applications, and resources. This allows them to control access, install software, push configurations, manage applications, and more from a single management console.

 

Without MDM, organizations often grapple with security risks, device management inefficiencies, and productivity challenges. Sensitive data can be vulnerable to breaches, device configurations can be inconsistent, and IT support can be overwhelmed. 

 

With increased flexibility from an MDM solution, enterprise users get on-demand access to organizational data, information, and services using a device configured and maintained to meet their organization’s needs and requirements.

 

For IT administrators, MDM can enhance the efficiency of business operations with:

 

  • Up-to-date information on devices including their model, operating systems, installed applications and more. 
  • Real-time monitoring of a diverse mobile device fleet including device health, network connectivity, and battery status.
  • Confirmation of a device’s compliance status including if a device has been jailbroken or has specific applications installed. 
  • Automated, or IT managed, device management, configuration changes, updates, and remote troubleshooting.

 

 

How does MDM work?

MDM works through a combination of software, processes, and security policies that are applied to enrolled mobile devices. At its core it relies on an MDM server (in the cloud or data center) and an MDM agent (installed on the phone). 

 

The MDM server enables IT administrators to monitor, configure, and manage corporate or personally owned mobile devices regardless of device type, model, or operating system.  This process involves creating policies through a management console to help monitor devices and determine how they can be used. This might include:

 

  • Defining password requirements or other authentication mechanisms.
  • Remotely locking a device after a defined period of inactivity or failed login attempts.
  • Geo-fencing that triggers specific actions when a device enters or exits a designated area.
  • Restricting user and app access to hardware like cameras.
  • Encryption settings for data in transit and data at rest. 

Once established, the policies are pushed over-the-air by the MDM server to the MDM agent on the individual devices. The MDM agent then applies the policies using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) built directly into the device operating system. 

 

The MDM server can be deployed as either a cloud or on-premise solution. 

Cloud-based MDMs are hosted by a third-party and accessed through the internet.

 

  • Typically, easier to set up and maintain with a lower upfront investment.
  • For industries with fluctuating workloads, like retail, the usage and budget scalability of the cloud can help them quickly meet changing mobile management needs. 
  • Organizations can easily enroll devices without requiring additional hardware or software. 

 

On-Premise MDMs are hosted on the organization’s own servers.

 

  • Require an upfront investment in servers and infrastructure.
  • For heavily regulated industries with classified or sensitive data, on-premise solutions offer an additional layer of control over their data security and compliance.
  • Organizations are responsible for the maintenance and administration of the solution which increases overheads and impacts scalability. Mobile device management is a proven method of managing configurations, updating OSs, enrolling devices, and protecting devices with remote wipes. 

 

As enterprise mobile device usage soared in the mid to late 2000s following the iPhone boom, requirements for managing mobile devices increased. These changes saw the development of mobile application management (MAM) and mobile content management (MCM).  

 

MAM solutions increased control over the deployment, updates, and security of mobile applications. Whereas MCM solutions provided IT administrators with the tools to manage and secure corporate data. By 2014, tools with all these capabilities came to be known as Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions that delivered increased protection of company data for apps, files and users. 

To further complicate matters, recent developments in device management have seen the emergence of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions which encompass both MDM and EMM.

 

 

Mobile Device Management

(MDM)

Unified Endpoint Management
(UEM)

Enterprise Mobility Management
(EMM)

Focus on mobile devices
(smartphones, tablets)

Focus on all endpoints
(mobile, desktops, laptops, IoT)

Focus on mobile devices, content
and applications

Delivers primarily device management
(OS, security, app management)

Delivers device and application management,
plus endpoint security and IT service management

Delivers device and application
management, security,
and data protection

Key features include device enrollment,
remote wipe, app distribution,
security policies

Key features include MDM features plus
PC management, endpoint security,
IoT management, IT service management.

Key features include MDM features
plus application management,
containerization, mobile application
management (MAM).

Challenges include user resistance
to restrictions managing device diversity,
integration with legacy systems, data loss
prevention, compliance adherence,
app compatibility issues.

Challenges include balancing security
with user experience, managing complex
endpoint environments, cost, data privacy,
compliance mandates, integration with legacy
systems and cloud services

Challenges include balancing security
with user productivity, app complexity,
integration with existing systems,
data breaches, shadow IT,
app store management.

Typical use cases include
BYOD programs, corporate-owned
devices

Typical use cases include
large enterprises with diverse
endpoint environments,
complex security needs

Typical use cases include
organizations that have a mobile
workforce, rely heavily on apps
for their business operations,
or have strict data security
requirements.  

Benefits of implementing MDM solutions

For organizations developing a mobile strategy or looking for ways to manage their mobile device deployment, mobile device management offers significant benefits. Using a centralized management platform to manage mobile devices, MDM can improve operational efficiency, productivity, and security.

 

  • Enhanced security: Safeguard corporate data through device encryption, password enforcement, and remote wipe capabilities.
  • Increased efficiency and productivity: With centralized management for all enrolled mobile devices, routine tasks like device provisioning, configuration, and software updates can be pushed to the devices more efficiently. This ensures all devices have the tools to complete tasks both in the field and the office.
  • Streamlined device management: Allow IT administrators to manage and monitor all devices from a single dashboard. This helps organizations maintain accurate records of devices, their configurations, and software installations.
  • Support for various device types: MDM solutions support a wide range of device types and operating systems. This enables organizations to implement a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy that gives teams the flexibility to use their preferred devices. 
  • Enhanced support: Enable remote troubleshooting and support that reduces the need for in-person IT support while improving device uptimes. 
  • Regulatory compliance: For organizations in heavily regulated industries, MDM solutions help ensure devices comply with industry-specific regulations and standards. This includes maintaining software updates, providing data protection, enforcing policies, and building audit trails. 

 

 

Key Features and Components of Mobile Device Management

While some features can vary depending on the vendor and the tool, there are some capabilities and components that are common to all robust MDM solutions.

 

  • Device enrollment: This is the process of adding new devices to the MDM system. A robust MDM solution will allow IT administrators to enroll devices automatically, manually, in bulk, or via self-service enrollment.
  • Policy management: IT administrators use a centralized management platform to create mobile device policies that govern the acceptable use of mobile devices including device security, data protection, and app usage. These policies can be deployed in bulk or individually. IT administrators can automatically monitor, detect, and report violations to take corrective action quickly.
  • Inventory management: Tracking and managing information about all enrolled devices, including make, model, operating system, and hardware specifications.
  • Security measures: Implementing security features such as encryption, remote wipe, and password enforcement. 
  • Remote Management: Controlling and managing devices remotely, including locking, locating, and updating devices.
  • Application Management: Deploying, updating, and removing apps on managed devices. This includes app whitelisting, blacklisting, and distribution.
  • Compliance Management: Ensuring adherence to industry regulations (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR) through policy enforcement and reporting.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Generating reports on device usage, app performance, and security compliance.
  • Integration Capabilities: Integrating with other enterprise systems such as Active Directory, email, and help desk

 

 

Best Practices for Mobile Device Management

  • Identify mobile requirements: Work with IT administrators and strategic decision-makers to define the mobile device needs and requirements for the organization. This should include an inventory of all mobile devices already in use, potential deployment models, and any 3rd party integrations required.
  • Perform a risk assessment: Conduct threat modeling and risk assessments to understand the threat landscape and help select security controls and identify MDM solutions for protecting the organization.
  • Identify applications and content management requirements: Coordinate with departments to define what is accessible using mobile devices enrolled in mobile device management. Access to non-critical applications should be restricted through block lists and web content filtering. 
  • Establish ownership guidelines: Determine whether devices are company-owned, employee-owned, or a combination. 
  • Define acceptable usage guidelines: Depending on your deployment model and ownership policy, organizations should define usage policies that govern the use of personal accounts, application usage, data usages, roaming, and international calling. Enterprise restrictions should be clearly communicated to employees to help explain why software and device configurations are enforced.  
  • Construct device policies: Using the MDM management console, enforce strong password requirements, multi-factor authentication, and enable device encryption. 
  • Outline support and help desk procedures: Provide clear guidelines for employees to seek assistance with device issues. 
  • Effective device enrollment: Make it easy for employees to enroll their devices with clear instructions or self-service enrollment. 
  • Continuous monitoring and management: Monitor device configurations and keep devices up-to-day with the latest patches for operating systems and applications.  
  • Creating and maintaining backups: Regular backups are a critical part of any IT strategy. This is especially true for mobile devices, which can easily be lost, stolen, or damaged. Having a clear process for creating and maintaining backups ensures that important data can be recovered in the event of a device being lost. This process should include regular backup schedules, secure and reliable storage solutions, and procedures for recovering data when needed. 
  • Disposal and reuse of devices: Mobile devices often hold sensitive information like passwords, account numbers, and personal information. When devices are no longer required, it is important to have a process in place for properly sanitizing the device’s memory. This often involves a factory reset to ensure all data is wiped from the device. If the device is to be reused or sold, it’s important to ensure no residual data remains that could be recovered.

 

 

Choosing the Right MDM Solution for Your Business

While choosing the right MDM solution for your business will be defined to some extent by the requirements identified in your internal reviews of mobile requirements and your existing infrastructure, there are other ways to help you choose the right solution.

 

  • Device support: Some MDM solutions are built with in-depth support for specific device types while others offer cross-platform support. If you decide to implement a BYOD strategy, a cross-platform solution will ensure you have a platform that can manage both existing and future devices without the need for point solutions.
  • Cloud or on-premise: Choosing a cloud-based service will help administrators focus on mobile device management rather than maintenance of the solution itself. However, the increased control of an on-premise deployment can benefit organizations with strict compliance obligations.
  • Scalability: Select an MDM solution that can provide reliability even as your mobile device needs change. This means being able to effectively manage an increase in device usage for a few years without impacting performance or security.
  • Integrations: Ensure the MDM solution can integrate with your existing infrastructure, tools, and systems. Not only is this crucial for reducing security gaps, but it can also enhance existing tools by increasing visibility and improving reporting.
  • Security features: You should have a range of customization options for security policies created using the MDM management console. As a minimum, you need control over the access rights for vulnerable devices, ability to define password requirements, remote lock, and remote wiping. You should also consider whether advanced capabilities, like geofencing, are required.
  • Vendor support: Ask vendors if they have tiered support plans and whether they can provide training for your teams. You should also confirm they have current security certifications like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. 
  • Ask for a Proof of Concept (PoC): A PoC is an effective way to assess the MDM for performance, compatibility, and alignment with your organization’s needs. 
  • User experience: Your new MDM solution should be easy to use for IT administrators and end users. This means having multiple ways for enrolling devices including automated and self-enrollment with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
  • Privacy: Confirm what information is collected from the device and how much granular control you will have over these processes. You should evaluate how this impacts end users’ privacy and communicate it with them.
  • Pricing: Discuss how to evaluate the return on investment for different solutions. Compare all costs including the implementation, maintenance, and support costs. You should also factor in the costs for increasing devices and any add-ons.

 

 

How Bitdefender Can Help with MDM?

Bitdefender GravityZone Mobile Security is a mobile security solution able to protect mobile devices with Android, Chrome OS, or iOS operating systems against multiple threat vectors. It is designed to protect an employee’s corporate-owned or BYOD from advanced persistent threats without sacrificing privacy or personal data.

Providing Mobile Threat Defense (MTD) on all major platforms, it ensures safe and secure access to corporate data, safeguarding devices from modern attack vectors, including zero-day, phishing, and network attacks, by detecting both known and unknown threats.

GravityZone Security for Mobile can be integrated with MDMs for better protection and easier deployment.

 

 

Who needs an MDM solution?

Any organization that has employees using mobile devices to complete business tasks, access corporate data, or communicate would benefit from implementing MDM.

How does MDM ensure compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA?

MDM helps ensure compliance by enforcing data protection regulations, providing audit trails, and controlling access to sensitive data.

How does MDM protect user privacy?

MDM solutions can protect user privacy by clearly defining the scope of data collection, implementing strong data encryption, and providing users with control over their data.