In today’s interconnected business world, mobile devices are indispensable. From enabling remote work to empowering frontline operations, mobile devices drive productivity and innovation. But even as mobile phones have become pervasive, so have security threats: 85% of respondents in a Verizon survey said mobile device-related threats are on the rise.
Enterprise mobility management (EMM) solutions—services and technologies designed to secure and manage an organization’s mobile devices, apps and data—have become a cornerstone of IT strategy, promising robust security and control over critical assets.
Many businesses mistakenly believe their EMM alone provides sufficient security and control. The reality is that basic EMM leaves critical gaps in security data and device insights, exposing organizations to advanced threats and regulatory non-compliance.
Security should be a layered approach – EMM is simply one layer of that. That’s why organizations should consider combining their EMM with advanced security tools, such as enrollment tools, security patch visibility, Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), VPN and others. These technologies enhance device-specific visibility, providing deeper insights, improving threat detection and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.
Don’t rely on EMM alone
EMM is designed to manage many types of devices, but it often is unable to take full advantage of advanced security features in any one ecosystem. For instance, an EMM can confirm that an app is installed, but can’t monitor its performance, battery usage, crashes or potential vulnerabilities, leaving organizations with only a partial view of a device’s health and security risks.
One of the biggest weaknesses of EMM is that its control over devices can be broken. If a user performs a factory reset, for example, all company security settings are erased, and the device is disconnected from IT management. This leaves the device vulnerable and invisible to IT, creating a serious blind spot.
Bridging the security gap: What do I need in addition to EMM?
For truly robust mobile security, your strategy must extend beyond traditional EMM and adopt a layered security approach. It’s critical to choose secure devices from trusted vendors that ensure only authorized and validated code is executed. This is achieved through features like cryptographic keys, which safeguard corporate data from the moment a device powers on.
Having a simplified and secure enrollment process is a crucial first step in any mobile deployment. Specialized enrollment tools ensure that devices are work-ready from the moment they power on, locking the device to your organization, even after a factory reset.
Your layered security approach should also include continuous application monitoring and vulnerability risk assessment. Ensuring devices maintain critical security patch levels, have up-to-date OS versions and are under your organization’s control are necessary to keep essential business applications running smoothly and securely.
Integrating your EMM with advanced security tools will not only provide enhanced security but also enable smarter decision-making. You’ll be equipped with richer data, offering actionable insights into your device status, network events, diagnostics, battery health, and more.
The bottom line: An EMM or Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution is only one part of a broader mobile security strategy. While EMM is critical and a strong foundation, it is insufficient on its own.
Embracing integrated technologies mitigates the risks of undetected breaches and operational inefficiencies, safeguarding against significant financial and reputational damage. Numerous organizations erroneously assume that their EMM solutions are sufficient, yet this represents a substantial risk to enterprise data security and remains a recognized issue within enterprise IT.
Ready to close your mobile security gaps and empower your IT team? Learn how integrating advanced security solutions with your EMM can provide the comprehensive protection your organization needs.
