What Is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?

Mobile Device Management refers to security and administrative technology used by IT departments to manage and secure mobile devices – including laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

These devices could be company-owned or BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). BYOD means employees use their personal devices for work, and MDM addresses some of the management challenges this modern trend brings.

MDM helps ensure that, regardless of device ownership, sensitive data and the organization’s network are protected, even when accessed from remote locations. It also regulates compliance with company policies.

Our guide explains how Mobile Device Management works, why it’s important, the pros and cons, and common workplace solutions.

How Does Mobile Device Management Work?

MDM solutions work through a combination of software, communication protocols, and centralized administration to manage devices. Over-The-Air (OTA) technology is commonly used to communicate with devices remotely.

Working at the device level, MDM provides oversight of every mobile endpoint that connects to the organization’s networks. It enables administrators to:

Enforce security and compliance policies.
Deploy and manage business apps.
Monitor and update device health and compliance status.
Remotely lock or wipe lost or compromised devices.

Let’s walk through the broad operations.

Device enrollment

The first step involves registering the device on the MDM platform to bring it under central management. This can be done by the user (for BYOD) or automatically (for company-owned devices). Once enrolled, the MDM solution installs an application or profile on the device.

This app/profile allows the MDM platform to control specific device functions, such as:

Enforcing strong passwords.
Controlling access to the camera or other hardware.
Managing connectivity to the corporate Wi-Fi and VPN.

Policy enforcement and monitoring

From the platform’s “central command center”, the IT team deploys and enforces rules and security policies across all network devices. They ensure correct configurations and compliance with company standards.

Rules monitored include:

Security policies: Including password structure, biometrics allowed, device encryption, jailbreak/root detection (i.e., modifying the device to bypass its operating system’s security restrictions).
Network policies: Wi-Fi profiles, VPN configuration, conditional access rules.
Compliance rules: OS patch level, required apps, blocked apps.
Access policies: Conditional access tied to identity (e.g., blocking access to corporate resources if non-compliant).
Usage policies: Camera disabled, screenshots blocked, file sharing restrictions.

App and data management

Methods include:

DLP (Data Loss Prevention) rules.
Use per-app VPN: Ensures corporate traffic uses secure channels.
Data encryption: Enforces full device encryption to protect data at rest.
Managed app list: Documents approved apps for users.
Silent/forced install: Installs required apps without involving the user.
App blacklisting/whitelisting: Prevents risky/non-compliant apps and permits approved apps.

Oversight and remote action responses

This involves continuous oversight of device health and behavior and quick response to incidents and threats.

Monitoring tools include:

Compliance dashboards: Highlights device status and policy breaches.
Alerts and notifications: Covers issues like jailbreak/root detection or repeated failed logins.
Audit logs: Tracks commands executed and files accessed.

If violations or threats are detected, or if a device is lost or compromised, MDM enables rapid response via remote actions, such as:

Remote lock: Secures the device immediately.
Remote wipe: Erases all data on the device. For BYOD scenarios, this is typically a “selective wipe,” which removes only corporate apps, email, and data, leaving the employee’s personal photos and files unaffected.
Network quarantine: Block device access to corporate networks until the issue is resolved.
eolocation and geofencing: Locates a device, shuts down use outside of approved areas.
Remote passcode reset: Allows end-users to regain access once their device is secure.

How Does MDM Work With Network Access Control (NAC)?

MDM and Network Access Control (NAC) are separate but complementary systems that often work together.

As discussed, Mobile Device Management focuses on securing and managing the device itself.

Network Access Control (NAC) focuses on controlling who and what can connect to your network. It checks whether a device is authorized and compliant before granting access.

The two integrate as follows: MDM acts as an intelligence source for NAC, providing it with compliance information. For example, it confirms if a device is encrypted or running an approved OS version. NAC uses that information to decide whether to allow, restrict, or block the endpoint from accessing the network resources.

Why Is Mobile Device Management Important?

Mobile Device Management plays a vital role in tackling several of today’s biggest workplace challenges: cybersecurity threats, remote work management, and compliance in an increasingly regulated environment.

Let’s take a closer look.

Data security

Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting mobile devices and systems. It’s easy to understand why. The growth of mobile endpoints connecting to modern networks creates a larger attack surface and more vulnerabilities to exploit. On average, data breaches cost organizations $4.4 million in 2024.

Effective Mobile Device Management helps your organization to close vulnerabilities, making you a harder target. Without MDM, sensitive client data or financial records could be stored on an unsecured personal device. MDM’s controls bring data into secure, managed applications for proper safeguarding.

Compliance controls

Modern organizations must comply with a range of industry and government regulations. This is particularly true for highly governed sectors such as healthcare, finance, education, and retail.

Mobile Device Management helps organizations meet their compliance standards by enforcing data protection policies (access controls, secure transmission) across all mobile endpoints.

Businesses can demonstrate compliance during audits and avoid costly breaches of regulations like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and GDPR.

Managing hybrid and remote work

Currently, 22-24% of the US workforce is remote. Teams dispersed across dozens (sometimes thousands) of locations and devices are a security challenge. BYOD endpoints can expose serious vulnerabilities if they are not strictly managed.

MDM provides IT with essential visibility and control over these remote endpoints. It ensures that every employee’s access point is configured correctly and up-to-date. Patching with the latest security features and proper device settings minimizes dangers like malicious infiltration and malware.

MDM also ensures that every end-user, everywhere, is enrolled in the company’s compliance programs.

Enhancing user productivity

Efficient organizations ensure their teams have the proper tools to do their jobs without restricting them unnecessarily. This means employees should have easy (and secure) access to all the applications and data they need – anywhere, anytime. They shouldn’t be distracted with setting up, configuring, or troubleshooting their work systems.

Mobile Device Management contributes to this productive environment by:

Automatically installing essential work apps.
Configuring seamless network access.
Setting up email accounts and security.
Automatically handling necessary updates and password resets.

Pros And Cons Of Mobile Device Management

To understand both MDM’s benefits and drawbacks, here’s a summarized overview.

Benefit

Explanation

Centralized control

Manage thousands of devices and endpoints from a single administration hub.

Rapid deployment

Quickly provision new devices or deploy essential applications across the entire footprint.

Enhanced security posture

Enforce security policies (passwords, encryption, jailbreak detection) and perform remote wipes to prevent data breaches.

Cost savings (BYOD)

Reduces the cost of purchasing and maintaining company-owned hardware while securing personal employee devices.

Auditing and reporting

Provides detailed logs on device inventory, compliance status, and security incidents for audits.

Drawback

Explanation

User privacy concerns

Employees on BYOD devices may worry about their personal data being monitored (though reputable solutions only monitor corporate data containers). Transparent communication and privacy boundaries are key here.

Potential performance issues

The MDM profile can sometimes slow or compromise performance on older devices.

Implementation complexity

Initial setup and integration with existing systems can be complex. Technology professionals will guide you.

Ongoing administration

Policies and configurations must be continually updated to match new operating system versions and emerging threats.

MDM Technologies And Solutions

MDM comprises a range of technologies and toolsets. We highlight the core features and frameworks below.

MDM as a component of EMM and UEM

In practice, MDM is often a component of larger frameworks such as Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) and Unified Endpoint Management (UEM).

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) builds on MDM by adding deeper control over applications and content. In addition to managing mobile devices and enforcing security policies, EMM handles Mobile Content Management (MCM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM). MAM creates a secure, encrypted container around corporate apps and data to separate work from personal usage – especially relevant in BYOD setups. MCM securely stores and controls access to corporate documents and files on mobile devices.
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) unifies the management of all endpoints – mobile, desktop, and IoT (cameras, sensors, asset trackers). UEM systems combine MDM and EMM capabilities with broader endpoint security and analytics features.

Key solution features

When evaluating MDM solutions, look for these key features and functionalities:

Geofencing: Enables location-based policies and automates security changes when a device moves between control zones (e.g., disabling the camera in a secure area).
Zero-trust integration: The ability to verify the endpoint’s security status before granting access to network resources. Works on the basis that devices should only have access to the resources they need to perform their role.
Conditional access: Ensures that only compliant and secure mobile devices can access sensitive corporate applications.
Remote wipe and lock: Essential to deal with lost or stolen devices.
App management: Controls which apps can be installed and used on managed endpoints.

Leading MDM software platforms

Examples of widely-employed MDM software solutions are:

Microsoft Intune: Best for Microsoft 365 integration.
VMware Workspace ONE: Excellent for multi-platform management.
Jamf Pro: Ideal for Apple ecosystems.
Cisco Meraki Systems Manager: Strong for network-integrated management.
IBM MaaS360: Offers advanced AI-driven insights and analytics.

How Acrisure Cyber Can Help With Mobile Device Management Solutions

Acrisure Cyber Services is a go-to cybersecurity and managed IT partner for successful organizations nationwide.

We appreciate that selecting and deploying the right Mobile Device Management solution can be challenging, especially when integrating with existing infrastructure. Our team brings over a decade of expertise in endpoint security management to help clients get this critical area right.

Our approach when working with you on MDM/UEM involves:

Needs assessment: We thoroughly assess your current mobile footprint, compliance requirements, and risk exposure. This helps determine the right strategy for your business. For example, do you need MDM-lite or full UEM?
Strategic deployment: Our team manages the deployment and enrollment process, implementing secure configurations and effective integration with your existing systems.
Policy optimization: We help you to create policies for all device types (iOS, Android, Windows) that maximize security without hindering productivity or violating privacy.
Ongoing support: Our cybersecurity experts provide ongoing monitoring, updates, reporting, and compliance checks.

Reach out

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FAQs

What is an example of MDM?

A popular example of an MDM solution is Microsoft Intune. Other common MDM examples include Jamf Pro, VMware Workspace ONE, and MobileIron (Ivanti).

What are the risks of MDM?

MDM’s risks include:

Employee privacy concerns because the tools monitor usage and location.
Staff resistance in BYOD work models.
Implementation across different operating systems can be complex.
Security risks, including data breaches and malware, if the setup is misconfigured.
Implementation costs can be expensive for small businesses.

What are the three elements of MDM?

The three main elements of Mobile Device Management (MDM) are:

Device enrollment: Registering devices on the MDM platform to enable secure configuration and management.
Policy management: Applying and enforcing security and usage rules across all connected devices.
Monitoring, support, and response: Tracking device health and compliance; enabling remote actions like lock, wipe, or troubleshoot.

Modern MDM solutions also include app and data management. This function allows IT teams to deploy apps and protect company information across all managed end-user devices.

What should I do if I fall victim to a spear phishing attack?

It’s crucial to act urgently if you fall victim to a spear phishing attack. Here are the steps to take:

Immediately change your passwords for accounts that are compromised.
Notify your IT security team.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) as soon as possible.
Alert your bank if financial data was exposed.
Arrange to run a malware scan on your device.
Report the incident to authorities (e.g., Federal Trade Commission) if applicable.