Mobile management has become a way of life for many businesses. Whether a company sells cat food or catalytic converters, it is likely that its mobile workforce has a mobile phone, laptop computer, smartphone, or a combination of these. Travel is no longer a valid reason for business interruption, so workers must be equipped to do business any time and from anywhere. According to one 2010 survey, half of Western European and North American enterprises support more than two mobile platforms.
Complicating things further is the fact that more than one-half of enterprises support smartphones owned by employees. More companies are finding themselves drafting policies that condone this practice, requiring that they be able to support Android phones, iPhones, Blackberry devices, and Windows Mobile phones. Workers benefit because they may use a device they are comfortable with, while corporate device managers must learn how to manage and support the various operating systems.
Researching the user population and developing policies based on it is the foundation for other best practices. A good mobile device policy is as applicable to a delivery truck driver as it is to the CEO. Segmenting the user population should be part of this step. According to experts, 80 percent of employees are overmanaged and oversecured when it comes to mobile devices, while 20 percent of the most important workers are underprovisioned. In addition, diverse devices should be available to meet the needs of different workers.
One of the best things a company can do, say the experts, is to invest in a device management solution or a managed service. This should provide administrators with a single, Internet-based, method of access for security and management operations. Businesses may have the option to select from a generic or proprietary solution and should weigh the costs and benefits of each. In all cases, the vendor should take a hands-on approach with clients, offering support after the sale.
Any company with mobile devices should clearly outline the procedures for requesting, using, and returning these. Employees should also know how to obtain additional applications and services for the devices in their possession. Everyone within the mobile workforce must be made aware of what constitutes appropriate use of a device and what the consequences are for inappropriate use. Device managers must be consistent in their enforcement in order for the policy to be effective.
Strict policies regarding failed authentications, passwords, and data encryption are recommended. The general rule of thumb is that ten failed authentication attempts should lock data or even wipe it from the device. A stolen mobile device should be able to be locked or wiped remotely. Corporate data should be encrypted at all times and the amount of data stored on the device can even be limited using document portals.
Reducing telecommunications expenses is a major goal of mobile management. Device managers can share this responsibility with department and team leadership as well as individual employees. By engaging in best practices, businesses ensure successful management of the various mobile devices deployed throughout the workforce.
If you are concerned about the security practices of your employees who use company mobile devices, it may be time to call in a mobile management specialist to ensure security is not breached. Gill Technologies is a mobile management specialist that can show you how to keep your network devices secure. For more information, visit Gill-Technologies.com today!
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