What is Mobile Device Management and Why is it Important?

The pandemic launched a sudden unprecedented need for secure remote business network access. As a result, mobile device management or MDM has become essential for safe remote-access work. The need for securing and synching mobile devices to the network continues today.

Why Do You Need Mobile Device Management?

Every mobile device connected to a business’s network is an endpoint, vulnerable to a cyberattack. The more devices you have connected, the more hackers have potential opportunities to gain access to your company’s hard-earned data. Anti-virus programs and firewalls on home-office servers are no longer sufficient protection from cybercriminals. Remote-access work has resulted in a more than 400% increase in cyberattacks on small to midsized businesses since the pandemic's start.

Part of the reason for the dramatic rise in cybercrime is businesses’ reliance on smartphones, laptops, tablets and other business-critical devices for remote and work-from-home operations. With each new device comes a new endpoint. Endpoints are any devices that are connected to a network. Without proper cyber security in place, hackers can access those devices and steal all your personal and hard-earned business data and sell it to third parties and, sometimes, your business competition.

Telephone Service Companies Don’t Offer Enough Security

Telephone service companies have stepped up their efforts to offer some cyber protections. However, strong cyber security for remote devices requires a 360° holistic approach to endpoint management. Today, it is crucial to plan MDM before any phone system installation as it is an essential component to safe remote-access work operations. SMBs without MDM in place run a greater risk of a cyberattack. Unfortunately, many businesses do not realize that every device on their network is a cybercrime target.

Small Business Mobile Device Management Considerations

There are many questions to consider in small business mobile device management, such as:

• What can be done if a device is lost or stolen?
  • The ability to remotely lock down and wipe data from lost or stolen devices is essential for MDM. A missing device must be cleaned of data and removed from the network as soon as possible to avoid a costly business data leak.
• What protections does my business need on our physical devices like phones and tablets?
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are powerful tools for encrypting data and disguising the location of a business’s network servers. A strong VPN will make it much harder for cybercriminals to access data sent and received on mobile endpoints. I addition, multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides another powerful layer of security for devices accessing the business network.
• How can I control data access privileges within my company?
  • A comprehensive MDM plan devised in collaboration with cybersecurity experts can simplify controlling employee access and download permissions. In addition to managing access privileges, SMBs can create an MDM plan that includes monitoring network activity, device location and employee productivity.
• I have a high-compliance company. How can I protect customers’ private data?
  • With network vulnerability to hacking at an all-time high, remote IT support by IT professionals is essential to have the correct cyber security layers in place to protect your company’s network and all its connected devices before phone system installation. With the proper protection in place, you and your customers will have confidence that private data is protected. Having a trusted partner in place means cyberattacks are identified and mitigated quickly, reducing attack costs and downtime.

Unfortunately, most small to midsized businesses have neither the time nor the expertise to analyze their MDM needs. In addition, dealing with telephone service companies and overseeing phone system installation and service can take valuable time away from business owners. IT professionals understand that many SMBs don’t know or comprehend all the security issues related to software installation, system updates, adding mobile devices and other IT functions. It is therefore prudent for SMB owners to enlist professional IT network services. The IT experts can also ensure that you maintain software compatibility, security protections across your network and other protocols to safeguard your hard-earned data systemwide.

IT Maintenance

IT maintenance has become a 24/7/365 operation for many small to midsized businesses. Computers and all networked devices must be regularly monitored and maintained. Up-to-date system and software updates, established security protocols and defenses must also be in place.

With the expanded use of remote and work-from-home employees, having a team of IT experts to support your systems is essential for the smooth operation of your business. An IT support team can train your staff, update your software, inspect and monitor your hardware and provide iron-clad cyber security for all your devices and networks.

GEEK-AID^® Computer and Network Support specializes in customized Managed IT Services for small to midsized businesses. The GEEK-AID^® team of experts is comprised of top specialists in different areas of IT services, serving clients on-site and remotely for Macs, PCs and all your connected devices. When your system is down, they will perform on-site computer repairs. And the GEEK-AID^® team doesn't clock out at five o'clock on Friday. They are available to you 24/7/365, remotely or in person, to ensure your computers, network and data stay healthy and secure. As your business network expands, with more devices such as smart controls, smart devices, wireless and remote access, your network's cybercrime vulnerability will grow, too. GEEK-AID^® offers small business mobile device management along with other professional IT services.

In addition to maintaining the hardware, software and security, employee training and regular IT support must be ongoing. New users and new devices will require additional training to use those devices efficiently. Hardware and software installation and maintenance, repair, cyber security and network protection are all related and must be consistent and proactive.

Call 877-GEEK-AID^® / 877-433-5243 to help you set up mobile device management and maintain secure and functional business network access.