Keeping all electronic devices used to access a company’s data safe and secure must be a top priority. Once, all company data was stored on paper files that could be accessed by any employee that needed it for a project or any other business-related reason. After this era came computers which provided a much neater and efficient way to store files. Of course, this also meant that company data could only be used in the office on company computers. Then technology started getting upgrades and it became possible for data to be used across multiple different devices. At this point, many companies began providing mobile devices such as laptops and later smartphones, to some employees so that they could access data from home. Now, it is quite common for companies to allow employees to use their own personal devices to access company data. With this change, comes a fresh wave of security challenges. This means that there has to be a way to manage security and keep all company data secure at all times. Thankfully, there is a new technology that allows the control and security that is needed. This technology is called enterprise mobility management (emm) and is what will be discussed here. Listed here is details about what exactly enterprise mobility management is and how to get started.
First, to truly understand anything, it is best, to begin with, the definition. So, to learn about emm look at the enterprise mobility management definition. Begin by looking at each individual word before attempting to look at the whole. The term is comprised of three words, each one describes an aspect of the entire process. The first word, the enterprise simply refers to the business aspect. Mobility means all of the mobile ways that the internet can be accessed through. Finally, you have the word management which is fair. It refers specifically to managing all enterprise-related mobile devices. Now you can look at the entire concept with a total understanding of the various aspects that make up the whole. Enterprise mobility management often revolves around emm software that can be used to control the security of mobile devices and the private company data that they contain. On a broader spectrum, the term includes all of the people, technology, people and various processes that go into managing all things mobile on a business scale.
Now, after understanding what the term enterprise mobility management itself means, it is time to look at what it means to utilize this method. There are several parts to successful enterprise mobility management, each one every bit as important as the last. Without any step, the entire management plan will fail. Because of this, it is vital that you do not skip a single step. Every type of software and every company is a bit different and as such will need to customize the exact specifications to individual needs.
Before going any further, it is important to discuss the first step to take in BYOD (bring your own device) situations. The vast majority of smartphones have an option to set up a “work profile”. This creates a separate section within the phone that is designed to hold any and all work-related apps and files. The first thing that must be done is to have each person set up this profile. Once the profile is satisfactory in it’s set up, certain apps will need to downloaded and programmed. Special codes and passwords will need to be established. Settings will need to be altered and turned on or off.
The first step is to set up network management. If the company is providing the device, everything can be programmed beforehand. The process will be a bit different if the employee is providing their device. As a matter of fact, the process for every step will be a bit different if employees are providing their own personal devices. Network management gives an IT manager the ability to control what types of connections company information can be transmitted through. The majority of personal smartphones spend most of the time they are connected to WIFI, connected to an open source. This has the potential to let vital data end up in the wrong hands.
Next, app management needs to be established. What this does is provide a way for the IT manager to control how company apps and data interact with personal apps and data. The purpose of setting up the work profile on the device is to keep company data separate; however, there is inevitably some overlap remaining. Simply by the nature of the two profiles existing within the same device, there will inevitably be some overlapping of files, logins, and app usage. Having control over all of this will go a very long way towards protecting the company as well as the individual.
The next step is content management. This is exactly what it sounds like. It gives the manager a way to keep track of all content pertaining to the company. Another bonus of content management is also a way to keep track of demographics and provide user accountability. This is a method of monitoring all company related content.
Finally, the last step is email management. This is a management tool that allows all company related emails and email accounts to be appropriately monitored. Email is a very big part of any business and as such, it is incredibly important to keep all emails and accounts safe and secure.
The use of enterprise mobility management software is frowned upon in some areas because some people feel that it is a violation of privacy. For anyone who is concerned, rest assured that your private information will not be privy to the IT manager. This software is designed to only monitor information and activities related to the company. It is completely safe and will not violate privacy. The IT manager will be able to detail what settings need to be changed and why, what each app’s purpose is, and how to activate the work profile on your device. Remember that utilizing the work profile will go a step farther in keep private information private.
