Enterprise Mobility Management: Minimizing Security Risks

After the pandemic has shaped almost an entire year, far-reaching effects on society and the economy are discernible.

Companies, in particular, have significantly strengthened and advanced digitization. Developments in the digital area neglected for a long time are now given top priority and are being pursued with vigor.

At the same time, of course, many companies are faced with significant IT security challenges. After all, customer and company data must continue to be protected, even if the workforce mainly works from home.

Use Of End Devices In The Company

Switching quickly from the office to the home office has overwhelmed many companies. But at the latest now, when it has long since become apparent that the exceptional situation will have to be maintained for longer or even bring advantages, a clear strategy is required in companies.

In the absence of alternatives that could be organized quickly, the motto was “Bring your own device” ( BYOD ). Unless they already have company devices, employees should use their smartphones, notebooks, and tablets to establish access to company data.

A variant that can be implemented quickly, especially since the workforce is already familiar with the devices, but it involves many difficulties and security risks in the medium term.

Because on the one hand, the company’s IT usually cannot merely create a good security architecture on the third-party devices to protect company data. On the other hand, the standardization of IT processes is also quite tricky since different programs and operating systems are used on the devices used and different versions.

Private apps and programs that are already installed can also cause incompatibilities, but they can also be infected with Trojans and viruses. Therefore, companies that want to protect their data should not rely on this strategy in the long term.

Also Read: Four Ways To Improve Information Security & Compliance With Document Management Software

Security Through MDM and MAM Systems

If you want to rely on mobile working and working from home in the long term, the IT department usually recommends an MDM or MAM strategy.

With Mobile Device Management (MDM), all mobile devices are controlled and managed from a central point, ideally the IT department. In this way, many security holes can be eliminated.

With Mobile Application Management (MAM), your company software is played on the end devices.

Thus, the IT technicians have far more options to influence the security architecture by installing updates directly on the end devices, installing firewalls, and securing data in other ways.

Corporate IT Hosting

Even if a system for the central management of devices and applications has been rolled out, this data and software should be managed and stored in a central location.

When it comes to the company server’s location, a basic distinction can be made between on-premise hosting and cloud hosting.

With on-premise hosting, the company’s servers are located at their location. This brings full control over it as an advantage but at the same time all obligations regarding maintenance, security updates, and generally also the spatial and physical security of the server rooms.

Cloud hosting, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized companies. The servers are not located at the company location but with a hosting provider. This hosts several companies’ servers, which also ensures better and professional security and reliability than if each company had to organize these resources itself.

Also Read: Protecting Your Devices: 7 Cyber Security Threats Every Small Business Owner Should Know