Mobile device management (MDM), mobile application management (MAM), and mobile information management (MIM) are intertwined concepts that are wholly different from each other. However, they’re all important in today’s workplace, where mobile devices are quickly becoming a security risk. To keep your data secure, you need to know and understand the differences between these three mobile management policies and technologies.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
MDM focuses on the management of devices like smartphones and tablets by securing the device, itself. Typically, this comes in the form of software that the company’s IT department can use to control, encrypt, lock down, and enforce policies on employees’ mobile devices.
According to Research and Markets, the MDM market is expected to grow from $2.81 billion in 2018 to $7.86 billion by 2021. With the increasing use of smartphones in workplaces, this is not surprising. Most employers have some form of MDM in place. If you provide your employees with corporate devices and want to know that you can remotely wipe the entire device if you need to, then MDM may be for you.
Mobile Application Management (MAM)
MAM is about the control of specific corporate applications and their related data. It is like MDM but controls access to specific applications instead of the entire device. Employees can download the company’s app on their personal phones and, using MAM, the IT department can control, lockdown, and secure just that specific app. Everything else on the phone can be left to the employee.
MAM is applicable to companies that give out corporate phones as well as those that enforce BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices). It gives you application-level security and encryption that work regardless of whether the device is company-owned or not.
Mobile Information Management (MIM)
MIM is a security strategy that is compatible with any system. It involves keeping sensitive data secure and encrypted by allowing only approved applications to access it. This strategy uses cloud-based services that sync files and documents across different devices.
The Right Mix
It is important to remember that MDM, MAM, and MIM are not mutually exclusive. A mix of either MDM and MAM, MDM and MIM, MIM and MAM, or even all three, will provide you with the greatest level of security and control.
For example, some of your employees may only require MDM on their mobile devices, while MAM may be best for those with access to sensitive data through corporate apps. All three of these security measures can work together to protect your company’s data.
If you want to avoid data breaches, then you should make use of all three of these security strategies. For these and other network IT solutions, you can turn to none other than CMIT Solutions. We deliver the best IT support services to local businesses all across North America and are partnered with brands such as Dell, Microsoft, Datto, and more.
For more information on our IT services, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We would be more than happy to assist you!