As businesses continue to embrace mobile devices for day-to-day operations, the need for robust mobile security and management solutions becomes increasingly important. With employees relying on smartphones, tablets, and laptops, both company-owned and personal, businesses must ensure that their mobile devices and the apps they use are secure, compliant, and efficient. Two of the primary solutions organizations use to address these needs are Mobile
Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM). But how do you choose between the two? And how do they differ in terms of security, privacy, and functionality?
This article explores the distinctions between Mobile Device Management vs Mobile Application Management, helping businesses make informed decisions about which solution best fits their mobile management needs.
What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is a security solution that gives IT departments complete control over the mobile devices used within an organization. Typically used for company-owned devices, MDM solutions enable administrators to manage device configurations, enforce security policies, and remotely monitor and control devices. This includes functionalities such as remote data wipe, device encryption, and app installations, all of which are necessary to protect sensitive business data.
MDM is ideal for organizations that provide employees with company-owned devices, as it allows IT administrators to ensure that all devices are configured correctly and comply with company policies. However, MDM can be seen as intrusive, especially in environments with Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, where employees use personal devices for work. MDM typically has more control over personal devices, which could raise concerns over privacy.
What is Mobile Application Management (MAM)?
Mobile Application Management (MAM), on the other hand, focuses on securing and managing the applications used within an organization rather than the entire device. MAM solutions allow businesses to manage the apps employees use for work, ensuring that sensitive data within those apps is protected. While MDM controls the entire device, MAM only governs specific applications, offering a more targeted approach to mobile security.
MAM is particularly useful in BYOD environments, where employees use their personal devices for both work and personal purposes. MAM allows businesses to control access to corporate applications, enforce app-level security policies (such as encryption and authentication), and remotely wipe data from specific apps without affecting personal data or apps on the device.
Mobile Device Management vs Mobile Application Management: Key Differences
While both MDM and MAM aim to improve mobile security, they differ in their approach to managing devices and applications. Here’s a breakdown of the key differences:
Level of Control
MDM offers complete control over the mobile device, giving administrators the ability to manage everything from device configurations to security policies and software installations. MAM, by contrast, focuses solely on managing the applications and data within those apps. This makes MAM a less invasive option, especially for employees using personal devices for work.
Security Features
MDM provides comprehensive security features that cover the entire device. This includes remote locking, data encryption, app whitelisting, and the ability to remotely wipe a device. MAM, on the other hand, secures only the applications on the device, offering app-level encryption, authentication, and remote wipe for corporate apps. This makes MAM a great choice for businesses that want to secure their corporate data without interfering with employees’ personal data.
Use Case
MDM is ideal for organizations with a corporate-owned device model. If your business issues company devices to employees, MDM offers the security and control necessary to ensure those devices remain compliant and secure. MAM is more suited for organizations that have implemented a BYOD policy or need to manage specific apps on personal devices without compromising the employees’ privacy.
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Organization
The decision between Mobile Device Management vs Mobile Application Management ultimately depends on your organization’s mobile strategy, security needs, and employee preferences. Here’s how to choose the right solution:
When to Choose MDM
If your organization issues devices to employees, MDM provides the most control and security for your mobile environment. This is especially important for organizations that deal with sensitive data or require high levels of compliance. With MDM, IT administrators can ensure that all devices meet company security standards, can be remotely monitored, and can be wiped in the event of loss or theft.
When to Choose MAM
If your organization has a BYOD policy or employees use a mix of personal and company-owned devices, MAM is the better solution. MAM allows you to secure corporate data within specific apps without intruding on employees’ personal devices or data. This solution is perfect for businesses that need to ensure secure access to corporate resources while respecting employee privacy.
Enhancing Mobile Security with a Hybrid Approach
For many organizations, a hybrid solution that combines the benefits of both MDM and MAM might be the best approach. By using both solutions together, businesses can secure company-owned devices with MDM while securing corporate applications on personal devices with MAM. This hybrid approach ensures that all devices, whether company-owned or personal, remain secure and compliant with corporate policies.
Additionally, solutions like Hypori provide businesses with a virtualized environment for secure access to corporate applications. By using virtual apps, businesses can securely provide employees access to corporate resources without compromising on privacy or security. Hypori bridges the gap between MDM and MAM, allowing businesses to protect sensitive data while providing a seamless user experience.
Key Benefits of Hypori for Mobile Management
Hypori offers several benefits for businesses looking to enhance their mobile security strategy:
- Virtualized Access: Hypori provides a virtual environment for accessing corporate applications, ensuring that data is secure while being easily accessible to employees.
- Separation of Personal and Corporate Data: Hypori enables businesses to maintain security without intruding on employees’ personal data, a major benefit in BYOD environments.
- Comprehensive Security: With features like encryption, remote wipe, and compliance monitoring, Hypori supports both MDM and MAM security needs in one platform.
Conclusion
In the battle of Mobile Device Management vs Mobile Application Management, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. MDM is ideal for businesses that need to manage and secure company-owned devices, while MAM is the better choice for organizations with BYOD policies or those that only need to secure specific apps. However, the right solution for your business may be a combination of both. By understanding the differences between MDM and MAM, and leveraging platforms like Hypori, businesses can ensure their mobile security strategy is both effective and efficient, providing employees with secure access to corporate resources while respecting their privacy.
