Enterprise mobility management and mobile device management platforms are important tools for managing mobile device usage. These tools help businesses place controls on the devices remote workers use to connect to corporate networks. While these tools have been available for a number of years, there are new capabilities to look for this year and going forward:

• Endpoint management, not just mobile device management. Many EMM/MDM tools will expand their capabilities to help businesses manage other devices besides mobile phones and tablets. This expanded capability will include desktops as well as smartwatches and internet of things devices.
• Smarter management capabilities. Look for EMM/MDM to start featuring artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to detect abnormal usage of resources. In addition to blocking potentially dangerous connections, AI will be used to reduce the human management and oversight needed. In addition, it’s likely EMM will start offering solutions tailored to different devices, as different devices have different risks and require different levels of additional security.
• Stronger security measures. The device-side security measures enforced by EMM today are often limited to locking screens and enforcing use of passwords. As more and more work gets done on mobile platforms, EMM/MDM will start bringing additional security capabilities to these remote platforms.
• Simpler EMM/MDM deployment. In addition to providing additional device management capabilities, EMM itself will become easier to use and deploy. The solutions will be designed to more easily integrate with existing corporate IT security infrastructure.

Until these more sophisticated EMM/MDM capabilities become available in the market, companies need to leverage the capabilities of existing tools to protect their resources. To do this, use the tools’ features that allow you to:

• Limit the devices that can connect to your network. Use the capability of EMM/MDM to prevent obsolete devices and devices with out of data operating systems from accessing your systems. These devices are inherently vulnerable to security risks.
• Enforce security on the allowed devices. Require users to have strong passwords on their devices and mandate that screens lock after a short idle period. Where possible, utilize encryption to protect data stored locally on devices.
• Block unapproved apps. Only white-listed apps should be allowed access to corporate resources. Where possible, maintain an in-house app store to ensure users download verified versions of the necessary applications.
• Restrict user access to corporate systems. Remote users can often be granted a lower level of access than the users would be given if they were working from their desktop devices.

Because of increasing use of mobile device in parallel with increasing cybersecurity threats, it’s important not to wait for “new and improved” EMM/MDM capabilities. If you haven’t taken adequate steps to protect company resources from mobile device users, contact Prescient Solutions. Our mobile support services offer the entire range of mobile device needs from provisioning and helpdesk support to security.