Thanks to the prevalence of remote work and cloud-based applications, the network of devices, users, and access points rose to complex proportions. A recent Stanford study showed that working from home rose five-fold in just the last few years. This trend makes managing these devices more complicated, thus the convergence of endpoint, identity, and access management (IAM) into a unified solution indicates a shift in how businesses approach the topic of cybersecurity.
In addition, some companies allow bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies, which can potentially represent a security issue if not covered by the same policies and protection used for business hardware. Therefore it is good practice to cover employees' own devices with endpoint solutions. But what makes a great endpoint protection solution?
Your options
Enterprise endpoint management and security for remote workers usually fall under a few technology solutions:
- Mobile device management (MDM)
- Enterprise mobility management (EMM)
- Unified endpoint management (UEM)
While some may confuse the terms and think they represent the same thing, there are notable differences that set them apart. Most enterprises and organizations will derive the greatest benefit from UEM, as it encompasses both MDM and EMM under one roof and allows for better and easier management of a remote workforce.
MDM emerged as the initial solution for companies to create an environment in which they had complete ownership and control over the functionality of every mobile productivity tool and application. In essence, it helped secure organizational assets (data, content) while their remote workforce used mobile phones. Thanks to the explosion of business and personal applications available on our smartphones MDM led to BYOD practices which required a more robust solution, thus EMM was born.
EMM revolved around seamless but conditional access to the intranet and web using VPN capabilities. The purpose of EMM is to ensure data security while enabling the remote workforce to access business resources efficiently. This allows employees to stay productive, flexible, and competitive in today’s market, even when working remotely.
The big convergence
Desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, rugged devices, kiosks, printers, IoT sensors, gateways, wearables, etc. All of these devices are connected and represent the essence of the Internet of Things (IoT), but along with the convenience it also carries a lot of risks. UEM came about as a single, unified platform that helps protect and manage a wide range of devices and operating systems.
In short, it collates use cases such as device configuration, data protection, usage and security policies, user experience and productivity, etc. The UEM umbrella covers and collates various management systems which are covered by the following abbreviations: CMT, MDM, EMM, IoT, MAM, MIM, and MCM.
What to look for in a UEM solution?
There are numerous UEM solutions in the market today, and as with any security consideration, it is important to know your needs first and foremost. Next, there are some factors you should consider when choosing your next UEM solution, and here are some that may help.
A UEM solution needs to provide the same experience regardless of the device being used (mobile, tablet, desktop, wearable, etc.). Moreover, it should cover all of the operating systems being used in the business. Vendors that offer limited OS coverage should be avoided, especially if you plan to scale your business. If you have BYOD practices, mobile systems such as Android and iOS are non-negotiables when it comes to support. Finally, onboarding new devices needs to be as simple as possible.
Imagine managing hundreds or thousands of data streams from various endpoints. Probably a nightmare scenario for many of us. Keep in mind that the more devices you have connected the more data flows you will have, therefore your UEM solution needs to have top-notch analytics and reporting tools to keep up with the incoming data. Look for advanced features like AI-driven data analysis, risk detection, and simple user experiences, along with compliance alerts. These tools help businesses stay up-to-date with changing government and industry regulations.
Obviously, the most important aspect is how UEM handles this aspect. Protecting your precious data on endpoint devices is priority number one. Some challenges that UEM should cover include, but are not limited to: SSO, MFA, conditional access, malware removal, advanced threat management, compliance enforcement, device containment, etc. Modern UEM solutions offer AI enhancements for devices, apps, software, users, and data, which is nice to have but not a mandatory feature.
Onboarding new solutions is more often than not hindered by the integration aspect, since most enterprises and organizations have been in business for some time and have complex systems in place. The UEM solution you select should integrate smoothly with the third-party tools and legacy systems your team already uses, such as help desk platforms, management databases, and security tools. It should work alongside your existing software and applications, enhancing their functionality rather than causing disruptions.
Last but not least is pricing. Especially if you’re a smaller or mid-sized business, budgets for new technologies can be tight and price can often be the key factor when decisions are being made. Look for vendors that offer transparent pricing and where questions such as licensing costs, fee structures, and/or price per user are clearly defined and transparently communicated.
Closing words
The convergence of endpoint, identity, and access management is a strategic move for businesses seeking to enhance their security infrastructure while improving efficiency and user experience. As cyber threats continue to evolve, having a unified solution that addresses these critical aspects of security will become increasingly essential.
Global teams and remote work seem to be here to stay for the long run, and UEM systems are set to become the standard in the business world. The productivity and security these solutions bring to the table, make them an ideal tool for organizations that look to compete and become a market leader. It is clear that UEM will evolve along side of AI and machine learning, but it will only strengthen the case for UEMs in general.
