on site computer support, contract computer support, mobile computer repair on site computer support, computer technicians, computer repair service work at home computer job, in home computer training
All Categories » Computer Setup and Repair » Enterprise Mobility Best Practices: MDM, Containerization or Both?
Enterprise Mobility Best Practices: MDM, Containerization or Both?
Added by Michael Cummins of Computer Assistant
Wednesday, August 3, 2016

 

Less than a year ago, analysts’ predictions had mobility enthusiasts believing doomsday was approaching for the mobile device management (MDM) industry. At the 2013 Gartner Security and Risk Management Summit, a panel of analysts told attendees that the bring your own device (BYOD) phenomenon would lead to slashed prices, plummeting sales and the death of an industry. “Mobile device management is in chaos right now,

and I think  this market is going to die,”  Gartner analyst John Girard told attendees (as reported by CRN.com). Girard predicted a shift toward application-level management necessitated by the BYOD trend and employee resistance to management of personal devices.

 In the same panel session, Gartner fellow Neil MacDonald said that the sharpest MDM vendors “know the end is in sight, and they are building containers. They’re building out a mobile application management solution

to start going down that path.” The analysts predicted a paradigm shift, in which CIOs and mobility experts would drop device-level management entirely, instead choosing more granular management of data and applications through an encrypted corporate container.  Enterprise mobility, they predicted, would focus on managing the data, not the device.

 Today, the market tells a slightly different story. MDM is still the preferred method for BYOD security, according to a Technavio report. As application-level management through containerization has continued to grow in popularity, MDM has kept pace. Rather than replacing one with the other, companies have realized that both MDM and application-level management are still relevant for different device deployments, and in some cases, provide additional functionality and security if they coexist together on the same device.

 Instead of having the MDM vs. containerization debate, enterprises should define device use cases and security requirements within the organization, and then decide which solutions best suit their needs. Organizations with all kinds of deployments – corporate-owned devices, BYOD or a combination of the two – are finding that MDM and containerization together provide flexibility, user enablement and enhanced security. Many organizations are choosing to deploy MDM and containerization together on the same devices, for a layered approach to security. Below, we’ll discuss common enterprise use cases and define the advantages of MDM, containerization and the layered approach to security that both can provide.

MDM

 MDM enables mobile security at the most foundational level: the device itself. With MDM, IT has the ability to configure advanced device management and monitoring settings through profiles, which can be applied based on operating system or device ownership type, enabling enterprises to take more control of corporate deployed devices. MDM protects data stored on the device or in applications at the device level by prohibiting unauthorized actions, such as attempts to root or jailbreak the device, download malicious applications or install malware. With AirWatch® Mobile Device Management, enterprises can perform device-level actions such as:

 Enforce data encryption

 Require a device passcode

 Remotely reset the passcode

 Remotely lock the device

 Enforce device restrictions

 Track the device’s location

 Set roaming restrictions to reduce telecom costs

 Perform an enterprise or device-level wipe

 Send push notifications

 Once a device is enrolled in Air Watch  Mobile  Device Management, profiles that have been pre-set by the administrator based on device type, ownership  model or organization group automatically begin downloading. Administrators create profiles from the Air Watch console that push enterprise applications, enable monitoring and enforce automated compliance through the Air Watch  compliance engine. If an end user downloads  an application that the administrator has blacklisted, Air Watch  can automatically send a notification prompting the user to remove the application. If the application has not been removed after a pre-set period of time, administrators can set escalating actions that will automatically restrict access to resources such as enterprise content  or email until  the application is removed. Administrators can also set restrictions to device features and native applications.

 Administrators can also limit  the time a device remains unlocked without requiring the end-user to re-enter the passcode, or remotely  lock a device that has been lost or stolen. Administrators can apply profiles that limit  the number of incorrect passcode attempts.  After  the pre-determined limit  has been reached, a pre-set profile can reset the password or perform an enterprise wipe. Some operating systems offer  advanced kiosk modes, silent installation and removal of applications  or even remote control.

 AirWatch  integrates  with  existing directory  services, such as Active Directory and LDAP. Administrators can import existing directory  structure to ensure users receive the appropriate access based on organization group, and users can enroll in AirWatch  using their existing corporate  credentials.

 Devices in an enterprise deployment can be given different management profiles and access to corporate resources based on job title,  region, device ownership  and other factors. All devices in an enterprise deployment can be monitored through a single web-based administrative console, regardless of management settings, device type, organization group, language, location  or ownership  model.

MDM provides some unique benefits over other management models. AirWatch  Mobile  Device Management enables employees to automatically connect to corporate  Wi-Fi and enterprise VPN networks  without user interaction. AirWatch  allows administrators to configure Wi-Fi and VPN profiles to download automatically or on demand to user devices. Profiles can be assigned based on user group, location  within a defined  geofence or time of day. For example, if employees should only be accessing Wi-Fi or virtual  private networks  (VPN) during  defined  business hours, AirWatch  enables IT administrators to set that restriction.

 AirWatch  also provides the ability  to provision a VPN profile to devices to automatically configure access to corporate  networks  and file systems. The advanced VPN On Demand capability  allows mobile users to securely access specific websites through a VPN tunnel.  This process is invisible and seamless to the user, allowing them to continue  working without interruptions. App-level VPN capabilities for Apple iOS devices now also enable administrators to connect single apps to the VPN.

 MDM Use Cases: Corporate-owned

The device-level approach is a no-brainer for organizations that distribute devices to employees. Managing the whole device enables organizations to track and maintain a real-time  inventory of their assets. Because corporate-owned devices are usually dedicated to only corporate  use, most enterprises choose MDM for its added device-level controls, such as device and enterprise wipe, remote passcode lock, and the ability  to monitor a fleet of devices in real time.

 MDM also offers organizations the ability  to limit  telecom expenses. AirWatch  enables companies to reduce wireless expenses through real-time  data monitoring. Administrators can set a profile that automatically disables the ability  to use data or make calls when a device is roaming.

 MDM Use Cases: BYOD

However, there is a perception in the market that MDM can be too heavy-handed an approach for devices that employees own and use to access corporate  content.  Both Apple and Windows platforms are built  to accept device-level management, while keeping ultimate control  in the users’ hands. Under settings, users can see all profiles that are installed on the device, so the end user can view what profiles IT has installed on their device. Neither Apple iOS nor Windows platforms allow access to the content  of text messages, phone calls or personal email. Administrators cannot read, listen to or record any conversations that take place on the device. The more open Android platform does allow additional MDM controls, so many organizations choose to provide the containerization option on employee-owned Android devices.

 Many users do not want to give IT the ability  to remotely  wipe their device because they are afraid of losing valuable personal content.  AirWatch  provides a remote enterprise wipe option, which enables IT to wipe only enterprise content  from the device while leaving personal content  untouched. To ensure peace of mind, many organizations will choose to deploy enterprise content  in a separate corporate  container  on managed devices so there is a clearly defined  managed space on employee-owned devices. It is ultimately up to the organization to create a BYOD policy that clearly defines what data the organization collects and monitors. AirWatch  recommends BYOD policies that prohibit IT access to personal content.  AirWatch  also provides organizations with  a set of privacy policies, which can be customized for employee-owned devices.

Containerization

 Containerization offers organizations the ability  to securely deploy and manage corporate  content  in an encrypted space on the device. All corporate  resources, including proprietary applications  and corporate email, calendar and contacts reside within this managed space. The password protected container  gives users access to all corporate  applications  through single sign on (SSO), providing a convenient  way for users to access the managed space. The containerization approach allows IT to not only secure corporate  data on a device, but also control  which apps can access data and how that data is shared. If the data is compromised, the entire container  or a specific application can be removed remotely.

 Deploying  managed applications  outside of an encrypted container  opens the data housed within the apps to vulnerabilities because IT cannot control  how those applications  communicate  with  other, unmanaged applications  on the device. For example, a secure file sharing app may require a partner  application to perform actions such as editing and annotating. If the apps are used together to edit a file, data may be copied from the secure file sharing app to the public cloud of the editing app, thereby leaving IT’s control.

 AirWatch® Secure Content Lockeris a secure file sharing container  with  built-in editing and annotating capabilities, so users can perform these actions without data ever leaving the app. AirWatch® Inbox is a secure email container  that enables organizations to separate users’ corporate  email into an encrypted, managed container.  Hyperlinks in files or emails can be restricted to opening  in the secure AirWatch® Browser. All apps can be housed in the AirWatch® Workspace to enable single sign on. Using AirWatch® Application Management solutions such as the AirWatch® Software Development Kit or AirWatch® App Wrapping enables an organization’s internal applications  to function securely within AirWatch  Workspace.

 AirWatch  Workspace, available for iOS and Android, is a container  that can house all enterprise apps on a device, enabling  secure access to corporate  data – including email, applications  and content,  a secure browser and custom applications. Housing applications  such as AirWatch  Inbox, Secure Content Locker or other enterprise apps in AirWatch  Workspace limits those applications  to sharing data only with  other secure, managed applications. All applications  inside the container  can be accessed via single sign on.

 Use Cases: BYOD

Containerization is commonly referenced as a solution  for employee-owned devices. Because it offers a managed space on the device, employees who want to use their own devices to access corporate  content  are generally more confident that their privacy will be respected, whether they are enrolled  in MDM or not.

 Use Cases: Collaboration in the Extended Enterprise

Containerization also provides a way to share content  and applications  securely in the extended enterprise  to end users who are not enrolled  in MDM. Administrators can deploy a secure container  to consultants, contractors, vendors, business partners, board members and other collaborators without managing  their devices.

 AirWatch  Workspace can be custom-branded, so users can share documents and data with  members of the extended enterprise in a container  that is consistent with  their corporate  identity, rather than one that looks like a third-party application. By wrapping all enterprise apps and data in AirWatch  Workspace, AirWatch enables administrators with  added control  and heightened security for enterprise data on unmanaged devices. With AirWatch  Workspace, corporate  data will never leave an organization’s managed network environment, even when it is shared with  collaborators in the extended enterprise. Should an unmanaged device housing corporate  data become compromised, AirWatch  Workspace enables administrators to perform an enterprise wipe and remove all corporate  data with  a single action, while leaving personal data intact.

 A Layered Approach: MDM + Containerization

 As more business processes are extended to mobile, many organizations are finding uses for both MDM and containerization, either for different device deployments  or on the same device.

 Different Device Deployments

Administrators in large organizations with  both corporate-owned and BYOD deployments  may want to consider MDM for corporate-owned devices and containerization for BYOD devices and other use cases that do not require device management, such as collaboration in the extended enterprise.

 MDM and Containerization Deployed on the Same Device

Organizations with  highly sensitive proprietary content  or in strictly regulated industries may prefer the added security that MDM and containerization on the same device provides. A corporate  container  deployed on a managed device provides an extra barrier to access corporate  content.  Users are required  to enter both a device-level passcode and a container-level passcode, and administrators have both device-level controls and application-level controls that enable app-to-app collaboration with  other managed and secure applications within the container.  For example, a link sent in a secure email can be opened in the secure AirWatch  Browser, and a sensitive attachment can be opened and edited in Secure Content Locker.

 MDM and containerization are often  thought of as mutually exclusive security solutions, but today’s most innovative organizations are taking  a layered approach to security by using the two in conjunction. Within an enterprise, IT can choose to adopt a hybrid model with  several different management approaches. This may be necessary if some devices in your organization are corporate-owned devices, while others are employee- owned devices. For enterprises that have both BYOD and corporate-owned devices, administrators can still effectively monitor and manage devices that are secured through MDM, containerization or with  both together in a single, integrated platform.

 A Complete, Integrated Platform for Mobile

 Each solution  in the AirWatch® Enterprise Mobility Management Platform  has been built  from the ground up, with  the same security framework at the core. The administrative console enables a bird’s-eye view of all devices in a deployment. Whether  devices are managed through MDM or containerization, IT administrators can manage the entire deployment through a single pane of glass from AirWatch’s web-based console. Making  it simple to manage and enable devices across the enterprise is what AirWatch  is known  for. A single platform for all mobile needs means simplified management, and simpler management means IT administrators are more likely to catch potential security breaches before they become major issues.

 Business use of mobile devices is becoming more strategic and use cases are getting more complex. Enterprises are continually adding users and deploying content  and applications  in the extended enterprise. If an organization truly wants to scale, it is imperative to find an enterprise mobility management solution that was built  using the same architecture on a single platform. AirWatch  offers an integrated mobile platform for managing  content  and collaboration, as well as securing applications, browsing  and email in the extended enterprise. AirWatch  also leverages organizations’ existing infrastructure to enable access to corporate  resources. AirWatch  ensures the value of IT investments in VPN, Wi-Fi security, SharePoint and other content  repositories, as well as enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. By extending these resources to mobile, AirWatch  both extends security and enables employee productivity through mobility.

 When selecting an enterprise mobility platform, organizations should not only look at current mobile needs but also consider an extended roadmap that includes any future plans to develop apps, extend more business processes to mobile or expand collaboration with  the extended enterprise. To prepare for a mobile-centric world,  organizations today need a platform that is flexible,  that scales, and that they can grow into as opposed to growing out of.

 Whether  enterprises choose MDM, containerization or a layered approach, AirWatch  has created a platform that allows both enablement of business processes and the security that IT departments  require, with  a friendly user interface,  deep enterprise integration and the flexibility to collaborate and grow.

Additional Resources

For additional information, visit:

www.air-watch.com/industries/solutions/mobile-device-management www.air-watch.com/solutions/containerization

Add A Comment
 
 
Comment on this article - You must be logged in to comment.
Clients Login Here Technicians Login Here No Account? Send us a comment via email.