It is becoming increasingly necessary for companies to allow employees to access business data from remote locations on a variety of devices. This includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and any other computing device. Different employees will have access to different levels of secure data and it is vital for this data to be protected regardless of where it is being accessed from. This is especially true now that it is becoming more popular for companies to have a BYOD (bring your own device) policy. This is far more cost effective for a business, but it also brings with it new security challenges. The vast majority of the time, personal smartphones spend approximately 90% of the time they are connected to WIFI, connected to an unsecured source. This is where enterprise mobility management (emm) becomes incredibly useful, necessary even. If you are not yet familiar with enterprise mobility management, you are in the best place you can be. What is contained here is a basic guide to all things enterprise mobility management. You will find details about what it is, how to use it, where to find it, and what it means among other basic information. By the time you finish reading this, you will feel like an expert on the subject.
First off, let’s talk about what exactly enterprise mobility management means and what it is. The word “enterprise” is used here to reference your business. “Business” is a synonym of “enterprise” so, if it is easier to think of it in those terms, by all means, do. To fully understand enterprise mobility management, you must begin by understanding the term itself and the best way to do that is by breaking down each individual word. The first word, enterprise, can have two meanings. The first definition is simply a way of referring to a business. As stated above, the word enterprise is often used as a synonym for the word, business. The next word, mobility, has two meanings. When most people think of this word, they think of movement, specifically movement of the human body. When someone is injured, people often say that a person has “limited mobility”. However, there is another meaning that specifically relates to technology. In this case, mobility refers to having particular services available on mobile devices. Finally, word management. This word refers to managing or supervising an event, business, project, or organization. So, enterprise mobility management means managing all of the necessary mobile features and connections of a business.
Now that you know what it means, you need to know what it is. Enterprise mobility management is a generalized term for software that allows the head of IT to control how employees are using company data when they are mobile. The necessity of being able to access company data while on the go is quickly becoming more and more prominent. Between telecommuting and the simple need to continue work after going home, the need for mobile regulations is high. There are several ways to for this to be accomplished. App monitoring, security codes, connection monitoring, and blocking, work profiles, content management, and service management.
The next step is to learn about each part of enterprise mobility management. The first part is often referred to as app management or MAM. This is when the IT manager uses enterprise mobility management software to control how company related apps are used. This includes when they are used, for how long they can be used, where they can be accessed, and how they are used. This allows the manager to ensure the security of company data that is accessed through specific apps. To someone unfamiliar with using company apps, this may sound invasive, but it is vital that company data be protected at all times. This type of software is designed in such a way as to only affect company apps, it will not invade the privacy of the device owner. This technology also strives to keep personal and company apps separate which means they will not interact or crossover, therefore, personal information will not leak into the company apps.
Next, enterprise mobility management software provides content management or MCM. The way these feature works is by allowing the IT manager the ability to wipe all company data from the device if it becomes lost or stolen. Sadly, this feature is also incredibly helpful for those terrible occurrences when an employee is fired or quiets and they need to wipe company data off of their device. This way, all company data is protected from falling into the wrong hands and kept where it needs to be.
The third factor in emm software is network and service management. This feature allows the IT manager to control what is being processed over certain networks and services. It is a fact, that the vast majority of personal mobile devices spend upwards of 90% of the time they are on WIFI hooked to an unsecured connection. An unsecured connection has the potential to allow hackers to access vital information and alter essential documents. This feature prevents company data from being accessed or transmitted through an unsecured connection.
There are two ways for a company to use enterprise mobility management software. The first is for them to provide employees with company-issued devices. This is the easiest way because all of the necessary settings, apps, and software can be pre-installed and set up appropriately. This also allows a higher level of control over the device as a whole. The second option is often referred to as BYOD which stands for bring your own device. This option allows employees to use their personal smartphone, tablet, or laptop instead of a company issued one. While the first option provides more control, this option is a money saver. Not only is a company issued device purchased by the company, the bill is also paid by the company. A personal device, however, is purchased and maintained by the individual. The way BYOD works, is the individual will be given specific apps to download, access codes to use specifically on that device, and profile information to set up. All of these things together will give the IT manager the need access and control to successfully utilize enterprise mobility management software.
