In today’s interconnected world, businesses utilize Mobile Device Management (MDM) software to protect company-owned devices to streamline workflows. But what exactly does that entail?
MDM for Company-Owned Devices
MDM software provides the ability “to control, secure and enforce policies on smartphones, tablets and other endpoints.” These software solutions are tools that organizations use to confront security concerns such as stolen devices, employee travel, and misuse of company data. When a company owns mobile devices for employee use, protecting the physical devices is an important consideration, as they serve as mobile gateways to the company’s network, data, or resources. In these scenarios, MDM software is a must.
Learn more about the different models of company device ownership, such as Company-Owned/Business-Only (COBO) and Company-Owned/Personally-Enabled (COPE).
MDM Options Within DriveStrike
Installing an MDM software supports a company’s goal of protecting its network and proprietary data. When an organization owns mobile devices that travel with employees, its defensive perimeter can expand to entire cities, regions, and across the world. An effective and scalable Mobile Device Management plan, enforced with a powerful MDM software, must be leveraged to protect proprietary information and other sensitive material. The Administrators of an organization’s MDM program are able to access the DriveStrike Dashboard and take actions as needed.
While it may seem daunting to install MDM software on all company owned devices, especially if there are hundreds or thousands of them, the increased security makes it worthwhile. DriveStrike even offers Mass Deployment options.
Apple Automated Enrollment
DriveStrike supports Automated Enrollment for Apple devices. With Apple Automated Enrollment, the software comes automatically installed on the device upon purchase and cannot be removed by a user, even after a factory-reset.
Android Enterprise Mobility Management
Android devices also have multiple device management options. Shared Management (BYOD) Mode enables Work Profile that is separate from the rest of the device, so the administrator can keep company apps and materials secure without infringing on the user’s personal use of the device. Enterprise-Managed mode gives the administrator full control of the device’s security settings – this is useful for COPE and COBO devices.
Related – Best Practices for BYOD Devices
DriveStrike MDM Tools
DriveStrike integrates multiple features that helps Administrators manage any number of company-owned devices. From the secure, online Dashboard, Administrators are able to manage devices with various tools, including:
- Location services – DriveStrike utilizes the most granular location data available from GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, or IP address. Administrators can view logs of where the device has been.
- Groups – Manage encryption, location services, and Android policy settings for collections of devices.
- Encryption – Secure Windows devices with BitLocker and manage keys.
- Remote Wipe – When devices are at risk or simply being repurposed, destroy data on hard drives in a cryptographically secure manner.
- Remote Lock – Lock mobile devices, either with their existing passcode, or with a new PIN (on compatible devices) which Administrators can use to unlock a device.
- Persistence – In Enterprise mode and Supervised mode on mobile devices, end users cannot remove DriveStrike, even with a factory reset.
How Does MDM Work with DriveStrike?
In the event a device is not where it should be – i.e. an employee reports their assigned laptop missing – Administrators that have installed DriveStrike have the tools they need to assess and handle the situation as outlined in their Mobile Device Policies.
First, the Admin will log into the Dashboard and give the command to Locate the device in question. Once the device is located, the Admin can review logs in the Location History section if necessary to see where the machine has been and where it is currently located. At that point, the Admin will be able to decide whether policy dictates they remotely Lock the device, or if the machine is at risk and it is in the company’s best interest to issue a Remote Wipe command. Historical logs can be exported in the event of an audit or investigation, helping to maintain compliance with industry best practices and legal requirements.
No matter the size of the organization, or the geographic region that it covers, any company that possesses mobile devices needs a robust MDM software to protect their employees, customers, and networks. Try DriveStrike for free today and begin protecting all company-owned devices with the best MDM software on the market!