Spade Technology: Blog

Are You Monitoring Your Mobile Devices For Security?

With all the data breaches in 2018 and predictions for them to increase, Mobile Device Management (MDM) is now essential for any type or size of business in New England.

Research data doesn’t lie The global Mobile Device Management (MDM) market is expected to grow from to USD 7.86 Billion by 2023. This is an increase of 22.8% between 2018 and 2023. It’s believed that this is due to the propagation of smartphones and tablets, the growing security concerns to protect corporate data, and the increasing need for MDM solutions to manage and synchronize different platforms through a single console.

Why Should You Be Concerned About Mobile Device Security?

For 3 Reasons:

1. There’s a new mobile threat landscape today.

The increase of corporate-owned mobile devices and advancements in business applications and technologies are expected to increase the need for MDM solutions to protect corporate data as it’s transmitted to and from and stored in, smartphones and tablets.

This along with growing mobile security threats like mobile malware are concerning to business executives, and they’re looking for security solutions.

2. Using tablets and smartphones is less secure than using PCs and laptops.

This is because they lack pre-installed malware protection. Most computers include data intrusion protection, but smartphone developers still haven’t caught up in this respect.

3. Hackers are taking advantage of mobile-device vulnerabilities.

They’ve developed cyber threats targeted to tablets and smartphones. Some come via email, and others through SMS text message attacks. These attacks are sophisticated with Trojans, keyloggers that record your keystrokes, malicious applications, and phishing attacks.

How Will Mobile Device Management Protect Your Mobile Devices?

MDM software provides a centralized platform to manage all your company’s smartphones and tablets in the office and on the road. If your devices are lost, stolen or compromised, you can wipe your confidential data from them remotely. This keeps bad actors from accessing your confidential business data.

But today’s business MDM goes farther than this. It also comes with policy- and configuration-management tools to deliver IT support to mobile end users and ensure they maintain security policies with:

  • Hardware & Software Inventory
  • OS Configuration Management
  • Mobile application deployment, updates and removals
  • Mobile Application Configuration & Policy Management
  • Remote viewing and troubleshooting
  • Mobile Content Management
  • Security Solutions such as Remote Wipe

How Do You Select The Right MDM Solution?

You should look for an MDM solution that ensures security and provides management for each mobile device connected to your network.

The best choice is an MDM solution that’s implemented and executed by an IT Managed Service Provider. They will remotely manage your mobile devices, security configurations, software updates and packages, and other operations. And, you also won’t need to make any capital expenditures for hardware and software.

Why Is IT Expertise Essential For Mobile Device Management?

Technical expertise is required to manage any MDM solution because wireless devices are more complex than ever before – and they’re now critical tools for most organizations. For companies that lack an internal IT department, an outsourced managed service provider is the answer.

If the solution isn’t being managed properly, your system won’t be secure and protected. Mobile devices are easily stolen and lost, and companies that must meet stringent regulatory or privacy requirements could be put in jeopardy.

With a managed service MDM solution, you’ll always have access to the most current version of software, including security updates, and your provider will ensure that your data is protected 24/7.

If you like the idea of an MDM solution but don’t have the necessary expertise or resources, then a managed service option is the best solution for your company. It will allow you the freedom to focus on your business needs rather than IT worries.

How To Choose The Right MDM Provider?

The needs for your business can change at a rapid rate, with expansion, product evolution, and economic cycles that vary. Your company may add or change-out mobile devices.

  • Your IT company should be able to provide the flexibility and scalability you need and provide support for new and various types of mobile devices. Look for one that offers a range of options.
  • Choose a provider who offers round-the-clock customer service through various channels such as online chat, phone or email – one who has a solid track record with strong technical engineering, management and support teams.
  • Also, look for a vendor with a strong customer base, and never be afraid to ask for references.

(Spade Technology provides all the above.)

Monitoring your mobile devices for security is essential. And due to the increasing threat landscape, we would wager that MDM will continue to be crucial for businesses in New England in the years ahead.

For more information about Mobile Device Management and other forms of IT security, visit our Blog.