What is Unified Endpoint Management?
Unified endpoint management is the method of centrally managing endpoint devices from a single location. These endpoints include mobile devices, desktops, laptops, tablets, wearables and other smart devices used for accessing networks or resources within an organization.
With a UEM solution, organizations are able to unify the applications of data protection, device configuration, and usage policies. It provides a single view of users who use multiple devices and also helps in gathering workplace analytics regarding them. UEM also acts as the apex endpoint management solution in an organization by orchestrating related endpoint technologies such as identity services, client management tools, etc.
The role of a UEM solution in an organization has become more apparent during the last decade. The industry 4.0 revolution brought with it the idea of interconnected endpoints all throughout the organization. Sort of a digital mesh, if you will. Each point in this mesh represented an endpoint that needs to be managed and UEM was up for the task with its single console management capabilities.
An ideal Unified Endpoint Management solution should allow you to securely manage, monitor and control endpoints throughout the organization. By integrating various bulk enrollment methods formulated by different platforms, like Apple’s DEP and Android’s ZTE programs, the IT department can ensure the new users have received the required configurations from the start.
The lifecycle management of all the enrolled devices should also be streamlined with a UEM solution. The IT department should be able to “enroll, provision, remotely control and decommission” devices from a single point. Elements of UEM include:
Application Management
A key feature of a UEM solution is Application Management. With the help of this feature, applications can be deployed, updated, tracked and removed from a target device. A unified app catalog can be created to streamline app deployment at an enterprise level. This means that apps can be grouped and pushed to devices on the basis of departments in the organization. Only apps relevant to the user would be available on their device.
App lifecycle management is also made easy with a UEM solution. The IT department can push updates, track app behavior and remove apps if necessary, from target endpoints.
Content Management
Sharing data over-the-air, especially sensitive corporate data, is risky. Malicious entities like hackers, phishing bots, etc. are always on the lookout for such unsecured data transfers. A Unified Endpoint Management solution can enforce strong authentication mechanisms to ensure such sensitive data is delivered securely.
Identity and Access Management
A Unified Endpoint Management solution allows you to seamlessly integrate corporate directories for user authentication, identity, and access controls. Secure access can be granted to users by formulating iron-clad policies which can include, custom password requirements, multi-level encryption, etc. A UEM solution can also help in adhering to corporate, industry and federal norms with a curated policy framework.By integrating your identity provider to your UEM solution, you can provision users with ease all the while keeping a keen eye on security. An IT admin’s dream!
Security Management
A UEM solution should be capable of implementing sturdy security controls to protect sensitive corporate data. These security controls can be applied to a multitude of endpoints hailing from various platforms.
Security management includes managing, monitoring and controlling corporate-owned and BYOD endpoints. The users get secure access to corporate email, contacts and the calendar on their company-owned device or their own personal device. Along with that, a UEM solution can place restrictions on content that is viewed on an enrolled device through Web Content Filtering.
BYOD Containers
BYOD support is essential for any Unified Endpoint Management solution. Bringing personal devices to work can increase employee productivity and decrease operational costs. On a BYOD device, to ensure that there is no overlap of personal and corporate data, the IT admin can containerize the work profiles on all such endpoints. This is vital because any form of leakage from either end can jeopardize the corporate data. Through containerization, enterprises may create a secure space within the employee’s personal device.
If a device containing corporate data is stolen or lost, the IT admin can track the location of the device and perform a remote wipe so that no sensitive data is leaked. Without the remote control feature of UEM, this wouldn’t be possible