How to Effectively Use Mobile Devices with Your Business

How much does your business depend on its mobile technology? More likely than not, you have smartphones implemented on your network in some capacity, whether it’s for productivity or security. That said, you need to have a strategy in place to manage and maintain them, which is where mobile device management comes in.

Implement Mobile Device Management (MDM)

MDM gives your business a means to monitor and manage the mobile devices used during the course of your operations. We recommend MDM because it can centralize the management of these devices rather than relying on every individual user for this task. With the right approach, you can optimize for productivity without compromising security.

Here are some of the tasks that MDM can assist you with:

• 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, your business can use MDM to keep better track of its mobile devices, regardless of size or industry, which is a boon for security and compliance tracking.

Mobile Devices for Work Sure Is a Lot of… Work

If you want to make the most of mobile devices for work purposes, you need to be intentional about their implementation while carefully considering the benefits and complications of such a decision.

How are mobile devices being integrated into your business’ infrastructure, and how will your team use these devices? Does your budget accommodate these devices and their many requirements? Can you guarantee that all devices on your network meet the security policies and guidelines necessary to keep mobile devices from becoming a liability?

All of this must be considered long before you even purchase the devices, but the real fun starts when your staff get their new toys and need to be trained on how to use them properly.

It’s a lot to keep in mind, even without the nitty-gritty details of security.

Don’t Compromise on Security

Adding more devices to your business increases its threat surface, so you’ll need to be intentional about shoring up security wherever you can. We recommend you do 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 allow a Bring Your Own Device policy, you’ll have to ensure these devices meet the security requirements while holding your employees to any other policies related to data privacy and protection.

Treat Mobile Devices as Valuable Assets

Your business can make effective use of mobile devices, provided you have the appropriate support. To learn more about mobile device management and other IT solutions your business can leverage, call us today at (781) 715-1900.