Mobile Devices Can Be Invaluable to Your Business… If Handled Properly

Nowadays, the average business leans pretty heavily on mobile devices to some degree, particularly as they make business productivity—and thereby, competitiveness—more easily attainable. However, this also makes it essential that a business using mobile devices has a means of managing them effectively.

Let’s explore the concept of mobile device management, and discuss some ways that your business can take advantage of it.

What is Mobile Device Management?

Mobile device management (MDM) is a means for businesses to monitor and manage any mobile devices used in their operations. Centralizing control through this approach makes it far easier for a company to promote productivity while ensuring an acceptable level of security.

MDM tools can help businesses accomplish various things, including:

• Inventory and track the mobile devices connected to company resources
• Control which applications can be installed and given access to company resources
• Protect data via encryption and authentication requirements
• Filter out harmful or inappropriate content

In short, MDM allows businesses of any size to better control how their workforces use their mobile devices as they represent the company and, as a result, helps businesses boost their security and compliance.

A Lot Goes Into Properly Deploying Mobile Devices for Work Purposes

In order to effectively manage the mobile devices at your business’ disposal, there needs to be a clear and well-thought-out strategy. What purposes will these devices serve in your day-to-day functions? What will adding them make easier, and what complications could arise?

With these considerations in mind, you must select how mobile devices will be integrated into your operations. Will your team members use their own devices in a Bring Your Own Device deployment, or will your company provide them with devices for work purposes? Your budget and requirements will both influence these decisions significantly. You then need to establish standard settings that all devices under your new policy must uphold, for both security and consistency.

Finally, with either new devices or new hoops to jump through, your team needs to be trained to use their new tools as effectively as possible.

All in all, it’s a lot… and that’s before we even touch on the security needs this strategy presents.

Security is an Essential Consideration

As incorporating mobile devices into your business will considerably increase your vulnerability footprint, you must do everything possible to protect them. We recommend the following:

• Utilize multi-factor authentication measures and establish minimal password complexity requirements.
• Keep all devices up-to-date and patched.
• Encrypt all data, both while in transit and while resting.
• Ensure the ability to wipe a lost or stolen device remotely.

If you elect to allow employees to use their own devices, you also need to outline acceptable use, all security requirements, and the responsibilities of each user and your organization alike. Your team also should be trained to follow best practices in terms of device security and general data protection.

Mobile Devices Can Be Valuable Business Tools…

…especially with our help.

Reach out to Network Solutions Unlimited to find out how we can help you manage your business’ use of technology, including those implemented as a part of a BYOD strategy. Give us a call at (217) 428-6449 to learn more, or to get started.