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Getting a handle on mobile devices

19.02.2009
While business users are thrilled by the capabilities of smartphones and quickly adopting them as handheld computers, it is unlikely their IT counterparts share in the excitement because traditional management platforms have not provided the tools to effectively secure and manage them. Until, that is, the arrival of Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM).

EMM provides a Web services platform to manage and secure smartphones and rugged devices regardless of manufacturer. This management platform addresses the nuances of smartphone technology while also providing tools that are similar to those used by IT to manage and secure laptops and desktops. An established EMM platform includes:

-- Heterogeneous device support: Policy-based security and control for iPhone and other non-BlackBerry devices, which includes device loss protection; endpoint security; data-leak protection; network access control (NAC) and identity management.

-- Centralized management: Enterprise-grade device management, providing centralized provisioning, compliance enforcement, asset reporting, help desk diagnostics and a self-service user portal via a secure over-the-air SSL connection.

-- User compliance facilities: Reporting and enforcement facilities to ensure user compliance with IT mobility policies.

Furthermore, a comprehensive enterprise mobility strategy must satisfy stakeholders throughout IT, including information assurance, administration and operations and the user-facing help desk team.