Mobile Device Management (MDM): Meaning, function, solutions

Mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones are now part of everyday life in many companies. Their use brings indispensable benefits, but is also associated with security risks. Against this backdrop, the topic of mobile device management (MDM) is becoming increasingly important. Find out everything you need to know about MDM in this blog post.

What is mobile device management?

Over the past ten years, mobile devices have become an essential part of the work culture in most companies. Smartphones, tablets and laptops are used for a variety of tasks. Especially with the increasing prevalence of remote work, devices are essential to ensure the necessary level of productivity and efficiency. According to Statista , around 60% of all employees in 2022 used in German companies use devices with an Internet connection for business purposes.

However, as mobile devices in companies access important business data, their use is associated with security risks. After all, the devices can be hacked, stolen or lost. Data theft This can result in identity theft, blackmail attempts and loss of trust, which can damage companies in the long term. Under these circumstances, a new area of responsibility has emerged for IT security managers: Mobile Device Management (MDM). This involves providing and managing mobile devices for the respective corporate environment and ensuring the necessary level of security.

With a mature MDM platform, IT and security departments can manage all of a company's mobile devices, regardless of type or type of device. Operating system. An effective MDM platform helps to ensure that all mobile devices are integrated into a security concept without restricting the flexibility and productivity of users.

What does mobile device management do?

MDM stands for the use of software solutions and associated processes for the efficient and secure provision of mobile devices in a company. MDM solutions use a variety of functions to help manage the device inventory and protect the applications, data and content on the devices. To do this, mobile devices are connected to an MDM solution via an application running on the device. IT administrators use MDM tools to manage and enforce security policies for all connected devices.

Functions of an MDM

Depending on the tool and deployment scenario, Mobile Device Management covers a wide range of functions that are all aimed at making the management and provision of mobile devices in the company more efficient and secure.

The most important functions include:

Device tracking: Every device that is registered or issued in a company can be tracked via GPS tracking, for example. Appropriate software enables a company's IT department to monitor devices in real time, update them remotely, rectify faults or block them in the event of theft or loss. Non-compliant devices that pose a potential security risk can also be identified.

Mobile Device Management: Mobile device management enables the IT department to manage and support mobile devices on an ongoing basis in addition to procuring them. This ensures, for example, that operating systems are kept up to date and that security and data protection guidelines are adhered to in connection with installed software. This includes systems for MDM Android as well as MDM Apple devices.

Identity and access management (IAM): Secure MDM inevitably goes hand in hand with strong identity and access management (IAM). IAM enables the management of user identities associated with a device. Each user's access within an organization is fully controllable using features such as single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication and role-based access.

Endpoint security: Endpoint security covers all devices that access a company network, including wearables or IoT sensors. Endpoint security includes network security tools such as antivirus software and network access control as well as incident response, URL filtering and cloud security.

What advantages does MDM offer?

Simpler IT administration: MDM software enables simple, effective and partially automated management of mobile devices in the company, saving IT departments a massive amount of time.

More productivity: For end users, installation effort and waiting times are eliminated, as mobile devices are equipped with all necessary applications via MDM and configured ready for operation.

More IT security: The use of mobile devices poses a security risk, particularly in the context of the BYOD model. MDM solutions offer functions to reduce this risk. Compliance with IT security guidelines can be monitored centrally via MDM, while the IT department can react quickly to security-related incidents.

Optimized output for mobile devices: The cost of a top smartphone is in the four-figure range and quickly adds up when hundreds or thousands of devices have to be purchased. There are also costs for software licenses, accessories and telephone contracts. MDM helps to keep a close eye on the device inventory, identify unused or missing devices and thus avoid unnecessary expenditure.

Implement MDM

The implementation of an MDM strategy takes place in several steps. Often with external support. The first step is to prepare the project by defining specific goals and a timetable. This is followed by the creation of a concept with regard to the intended configurations, guidelines and security standards. This step also includes the selection of suitable MDM software and the applications that are to be used on the devices.

This is followed by the technical implementation in a test environment, in which the concept is tested for its practical suitability so that adjustments can be made if necessary. Before the final rollout, all affected employees are trained to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible.

What MDM strategies are there?

Essentially, four different strategies are used for MDM: BYOD, CYOD, COPE and COBO. Each of these strategies has specific advantages and disadvantages that need to be weighed up depending on the individual requirements profile.

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device):BYOD is the most popular MDM strategy. It allows employees to use their own devices for work, which can bring benefits such as cost savings (as the company does not have to buy devices for its employees) and higher employee satisfaction (as they are already familiar with their own devices and how to use them).

CYOD (Choose Your Own Device): The company provides a list of approved devices from which the workforce can choose. This gives companies more control over the devices used, while compatibility and security problems are easier to avoid than with the BYOD approach, for example.

COPE (Company-Owned, Personal-Enabled): The company provides its employees with devices that can also be used for private purposes, which has the advantage for employees that they only need one device for business and private purposes.

COBO (Corporate-Owned, Business-Only): The company provides employees with company-owned devices that may only be used for work purposes. This is the most secure model as it helps to separate work and personal data and ensures that the devices are only used for work-related activities.

Mobile Device Management with acmp Intune Connector from aagon

With the acmp Intune Connector, aagon offers an advanced extension for existing MDM solutions based on Microsoft Intune. The tool helps to seamlessly integrate existing Microsoft instances into acmp and to comprehensively manage mobile devices via the familiar interface. This gives administrators a comprehensive system overview and allows them to perform important actions directly via the acmp Console.

With numerous features, acmp Intune Connector ensures simple and efficient mobile device management via the aagon Client Management Platform:

Simple import of data from mobile devices
Central management of all devices
Simplified queries through acmp Reporting
Better overview of the entire client landscape
Seamless integration into a comprehensive client management system

MDM costs

MDM and EMM solutions are usually licensed as part of a monthly or annual subscription - per device or per user. While prices vary greatly depending on the tool, range of functions and number of licenses, the study shows that Maximizing Mobile Value by Oxford Economics from 2022 that companies spend an average of between 3.25 and 9 US dollars per device per month.

Conclusion

Along with the trend towards flexible and location-independent working models, mobile devices are becoming increasingly important in the world of work. In order to achieve the necessary efficiency and level of security when managing devices, there is no way around advanced solutions for mobile device management android or other systems once a company reaches a certain size.

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