Best Practices for Managing and Securing Your Mobile Device Fleet

Illustration of Mobile Device Management with a hand interacting on a digital map interface depicting global connectivity and technology

Mobile devices... modern businesses are becoming more and more reliant on them. What with companies needing mobile technology for remote working arrangements and interacting with consumers every second of the day.

Businesses can choose to adopt a ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD) scheme or they may provide the tools to their staff. Either way, a mobile device fleet needs ongoing maintenance and management, much like vehicles. They need to be tracked, secured, replaced, or upgraded.

But how can you ensure your mobile assets stay efficient and protected knowing you've got a barrage of things to consider? Read on for some useful tips.

Laying the Groundwork

Create robust policies that'll ensure your staff remains productive and your corporate data secure. Consider this as a roadmap for managing your mobile fleet. It has to be comprehensive and leave no room for misinterpretations.

Identify security policies, risks, and requirements, especially for BYOD schemes. Boost your security posture by defining acceptable terms for device usage and access control. Tackle privacy concerns and legal considerations, too, especially when any of your devices get lost or stolen.

Your guidelines? They're the backbone of your mobile device fleet operations and management strategy. Ensure that you’ve addressed every possible threat and vulnerability before deploying any solution.

Leveraging Managed Mobile Services

Mobile devices are taking center stage in and out of the office. Now, what does this mean? Enterprises can count on managed mobility services (MMS) to boost their operations. MMS providers offer a wide range of comprehensive device fleet management solutions.

One of their major draws is the implementation of a unified endpoint management strategy. This covers device inventory, procurement, deployment, support, and expense management. Providers also take charge of mobile device lifecycle management to help you get the most out of these tools.

Worried about security? Allow your trusted partner to perform proactive security measures to protect sensitive data from hackers. Plus, they offer round-the-clock availability for device management and security.

Hiring MMS providers lets you focus on growing your business instead of worrying about fleet management. Also, study whether the MMS you picked does its job, providing the expertise and resources you need.

Picking a Mobile Device Management (MDM) Solution

Still on the fence about MMS? Assign a fleet manager or a team to manage it. But ensure various fleet management tools are at play here. This is considering the fact that products offer centralized management but have various capabilities. You've got to narrow down your choices to the most fitting ones, too. Figure out your needs and assess whether a particular MDM software can address your requirements.

Besides looking at the key features, consider scalability and integration capabilities. The right MDM solution must handle upgrades and additional devices without significant disruptions. It should also seamlessly integrate with your current tech stack.

Take a step back to assess vendor reputation and support. Is their pricing structure transparent, and do they communicate their service inclusions well? Do they provide impeccable customer service? Get help from online and offline sources to discover what their clients have to say.

Carefully selecting an MDM software equips you with the right tools to tackle challenges head-on. But you must work with your security team to strengthen your defenses.

Securing Mobile Fleet

What to do next? Keep your entire fleet safe from security threats. Here's what you can do:

  • Enforce strong password policies and multi-factor authentication.
  • Implement encryption for data at rest and in transit.
  • Utilize remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices.
  • Apply the latest security patches and software updates across all operating systems and device types.
  • Employ containerization to separate work apps and personal data.

Beefing up security entails added costs. However, falling prey to cybercriminals could cost your business more. On a global scale, businesses spend USD$4.88 million for every data breach. US-based companies, meanwhile, pay a whopping USD$9.36 million.

Digital illustration of cybersecurity protection featuring a shield graphic overlaying a laptop and mobile devices, representing device security and technology

Simplifying Device Provisioning and Management

One in five American workers are working remotely. About 32.6 million employees won’t have to report on-site to work by 2025, while 16% of companies currently don’t have physical offices. Efficient provisioning and ongoing management are your best weapons if you want to maintain a productive and secure mobile device fleet in these environments.

Here are awesome MDM features that'll help you save time and reduce headaches:

  • Automate device enrolment and configuration.
  • Utilize and safelist trusted app stores for software distribution.
  • Manage device lifecycle from acquisition to retirement.
  • Use self-service portals for common user tasks.

Taking these measures won't only smoothen out the experience for users. It'll also help you maintain control over your mobile fleet. Such steps also help optimize productivity tools and maintain agility without the added costs.

Monitoring, Reporting

Keep your fleet’s status and usage patterns visible, that if you want to make more informed decisions regarding your mobile management strategy. Set real-time device tracking and alerts to monitor device health, app usage, and data consumption. Then, use data analytics to identify trends and enhance fleet management policies. You must also generate compliance reports for auditing purposes.

These features are what keep your finger on the pulse. They can also address issues before they turn into costly problems.

Fostering a Security-Conscious Culture

Even the most advanced management solutions can be undermined by human error. Figures vary depending on the source, but a 2023 investigative report claimed that 74% of security issues are attributed to human factors.

Keep your staff aware of threats they may come face to face with, as well as the preventive measures that could tackle these issues. Conduct security training programs (once each year at the very least). Also, let your staff know if there are updates in policies and best practices to ensure everyone is on the same page at any point in time. And positive behaviors deserve recognition and rewards. This would encourage your staff to report and act on suspicious activities as soon as they get wind of them.

Building your staff’s knowledge is like establishing a human firewall complementing your technical defenses. This further reduces your vulnerability while increasing the security of your mobile device fleet.

Staying Ahead in the Mobile-First Era

Managing and securing your device fleet means having a healthy mix of strong policies, technologies, and human touch. One element just won't work without the other. Implementing these best practices maximizes the power of mobile devices all while mitigating associated risks.

However, this approach doesn't only have many facets; it's also an ongoing journey. It pays to stay informed and remain adaptable. Also, keep reviewing and revising your strategy to keep up with such a quickly evolving field.