MaaS360.com Feed

Re: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services

Thu, 16 May 2013 18:58:28 +0000

Hi Les,

The device ID corresponds to the maas360deviceID response from the basic device search API. This needs to be used for all other API calls for the device in question.

Posted to: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services Show Thread | Post Reply

Introducing MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite™ for Dual Persona - Webinar - May 16, 2013

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:21:46 +0000

[YouTubeID id=0WvlZjpkHAM]

Please click here to view the slides from today's webinar.

A Trusted WorkPlace container in the BYOD era

The new MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite is the only comprehensive cloud-based solution that enables employees to securely access corporate data while preserving the mobile experience on their personal devices. Through a Trusted WorkPlace environment on smartphones and tablets, it delivers a dual persona approach to seamlessly separate corporate and personal information on the same device, letting you manage corporate data without affecting the rest of the device.

Join Josh Lambert, Product Manager at Fiberlink, as he introduces this powerful new suite that helps IT boost productivity and mitigate risks in the BYOD era. In this webinar you will learn how to:

Implement a dual persona environment on iOS and Android devices to separate work from play
Secure and contain emails, apps, documents and the Web to prevent corporate data leakage
Enhance productivity and collaboration with a suite of secure office productivity tools to view, create and edit content
Protect user privacy and personal data on employee-owned devices

Posted to: Introducing MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite™ for Dual Persona - Webinar - May 16, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:36:43 +0000

Kumar,

I am using API doc dated 17th Oct 2011. Do you have a newer one?

The current version states I need to pass the billiingID and deviceID (Client Serial Number) to get summary results. However we don't have deviceID. We are only passing UDID at this moment.

Thanks

Les

Posted to: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:25:50 +0000

Hi Les,

If you need the latest Web Service documentation, please write to me at kumara@fiberlink.com.

Posted to: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services

Wed, 15 May 2013 17:23:20 +0000

Hi Les,

The basic search API does not contain the device compliance state. You can use the basic search API to get information about the device like device name, device ID, username, email etc., and then use the device ID in other API's to get compliance information.

The API "Get Summary Attributes" provides a "Compliance State" response that can provide the compliance information of the device. The API URL is: https://services.fiberlink.com/device-apis/devices/1.0/summary/accountID?deviceId=%deviceID%

To get more detailed information about the compliance state, you can use the "Get Security & Compliance Information for a Mobile Device" API. This provides the compliance state of the device as per policies and rules and also provides reasons for out of compliance. The API URL is: https://services.fiberlink.com/device-apis/devices/1.0/mdSecurityCompliance/accountID?deviceId=%deviceID%

These fields are mapped to the UI fields as well.

Hope this helps. Let me know if there are additional questions.

Posted to: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services Show Thread | Post Reply

MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:49:13 +0000

We previously tested API service successfully using this API

GET https://services.fiberlink.com/device-apis/devices/1.0/search/<billingID>

We had Android devices previously and was able to get back

<deviceSecurityState>Caution</deviceSecurityState> or Green

Now we switched over completely to iOS, the same call is not returning <deviceSecurityState> at all.

1. Does this have to with Android vs iOS.

2. <deviceSecurityState> actually map to on MaaS360 front-end web interface.

Thanks

Les

Posted to: MaaS360 API REFERENCE GUIDE: MaaS360® Web Services Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:16:50 +0000

That would also cause it.

We recently added a renewal workflow right in MaaS360. If you go to Configure -> Services or Setup -> Services (New UI), you will see a green Renew Now button that will guide you.

Posted to: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:13:28 +0000

Think I found the issue - Our Apple MDM certificate has expired - this would cause that wouldnt it?

Posted to: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:08:59 +0000

Hi joejoe21 - this sounds like you are on a wireless network that doesnt allow access over the APNS port 5223. Have you tried another network connection? If the issue continues to persist, drop our support desk a call and they can help out.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Samsung Galaxy S4 (Android 4.2.2) - is it supported already?

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:06:58 +0000

Hello bogertw - yes we do support the S4 and have a number of them under management.

I would give our support team a call with the account number, details of the issue and policy being used. They will be able to help and/or collect logs to see what may be going on.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: Samsung Galaxy S4 (Android 4.2.2) - is it supported already? Show Thread | Post Reply

iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:39:36 +0000

Hi there,

I am trying to enroll an iPad Mini (iOS 6.1.3), and it does go through the process correctly it seems, and installs the profile for MaaS360 on the profile, and everything seems to go through correctly, but on the console, the enrollments show as pending, and the app never gets prompted to get installed. It has been over 2 hours at this point. Any help is appreciated.

Posted to: iPad Mini Not Getting MaaS360 app install after enrollment Show Thread | Post Reply

Samsung Galaxy S4 (Android 4.2.2) - is it supported already?

Tue, 14 May 2013 13:58:48 +0000

Just checking if the above mentioned device/os is supported already.

We are trying to enroll a device but they cannot receive mail yet. Our quarantine is disabled and it appears they have entered the proper information to configure the mail account (we are not using Touchdown), but still no mail.

So before I go crazy with troubleshooting this, I just wanted to know if the device/os is supported.

Thanks!

Posted to: Samsung Galaxy S4 (Android 4.2.2) - is it supported already? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Deleted Items Management

Mon, 13 May 2013 23:22:57 +0000

Hi gidcso - there are no api calls that Im aware of for iOS or Android that can do this. You can use MaaS360 to remove applications that were pushed and can set expiration dates on documents you push to the devices.

Let us know if you need anything else.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: Deleted Items Management Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Difference between mobile device policies and compliance rules?

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:45:00 +0000

Hey Jeff how are you?

The policies are available for device level setup and restrictions, like setting up email, wireless or vpn profiles, enforcing a device passcode, preventing use of Safari, iCloud, etc.

The compliance rules are available to ensure the device not only adheres to the policies but also allows for other automated actions on a device, like version compliance, jailbroken or rooted devices, devices that cannot be encrypted.

So as an example, you could set set up an iOS policy to push email and a device passcode as long. You could also set up a compliance rule to ensure the device is not jailbroken. If the device becomes jailbroken, you can issue an automatic selective wipe to remove the users email until they are not jailbroken any longer.

I have a couple of best practice guides I can email you if you drop me a note direct at vhetrick@fiberlink.com.

Policies, compliance rules, apps and docs can all be pushed at the group level.

The best way to do this is in the Manage -> Groups or Devices -> Groups (new ui) workflow. Once you create the group, you can use the Actions dropdown to assign policies, etc.

Hope this helps. Let us know if you need additional detail.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: Difference between mobile device policies and compliance rules? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:36:27 +0000

Hi Valerie,

These are Free Market Apps that we distribute to our client base through the MaaS360 App Catalog. What I am seeing is that the Apple App Store shows updates for the these apps, but the updates are not reflected in the Mass360 App catalog. If the user updates the app through the apple app store, then I believe it's no longer managed by MaaS360 and will not remove on a selective or full wipe. All Apps distributed by MaaS360 are marked as "remove on wipe". Thanks.

Posted to: Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:25:05 +0000

Hey RomanK - are these enterprise apps or market apps?

The market apps will always pull the most up to date upgrade from iTunes/Google. If there is an update to those apps, the users will be prompted through the normal App Store and Google Play.

For Enterprise apps, there are two capabilities to upgrade the app, one to just update an expired provisioning profile and another to update the app. The users can install the upgrades from the app catalog as well.

These can all be carried out under Manage -> Manage Apps or Apps -> Catalog (in the new UI)

Hope this helps and let us know if you need more details.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:10:46 +0000

Hi Apok76 - I have successfully used both my iPhone mini and iPhone 5 with the new UI. We are continuing to optimize but overall has worked ok for me.

Are there certain workflows you are referring to?

Thanks

Val

Posted to: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Missing Corporate Settings

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:08:30 +0000

Hi viptech - at this point, I would suggest giving our help desk a call with the devices names/usernames that are having issues trouble setting up mail. They will also need your account number found in the lower left hand side of the portal.

We can review the policies and the devices to obtain logs and see what is happening.

855-MaaS-360

Thanks

Val

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

Difference between mobile device policies and compliance rules?

Sat, 11 May 2013 01:53:12 +0000

We're getting started with the MaaS360 product to manage our iPads. I'm in the process of setting up a policy and noticed there are compliance rules. What are the difference between the two? Do I need both? How do you assign a policy to a group? Or a rule to a group? Thanks!

Posted to: Difference between mobile device policies and compliance rules? Show Thread | Post Reply

Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:14:11 +0000

Hi,

We have a number of apps that we "distribute" to users in the app catalog that have updates. can the app be updated in the App Catalog of the portal or do I need to delete it and re-distribute it?

Posted to: Updating Distributed Apps within the Admin Portal Show Thread | Post Reply

Beyond MDM: The Best Tools for the Next Stage of BYOD - Webinar - May 2, 2013

Thu, 02 May 2013 17:31:26 +0000

[YouTubeID id=Yi8B_yWPKnk]

Click here to view the slides from this webinar.

BYOD free? The rest of the world is thinking differently

Companies of all sizes from a diverse range of industries have made smartphone and tablet enrollment in MDM a regular practice--cutting costs and increasing mobile productivity in the process. Faced with privacy, security, and regulatory concerns, progressive minded business decision makers have shifted their focus toward solutions that provide more visibility and control over the data residing on the device.

Get locked and loaded for total enterprise mobility

Join us for our upcoming MaaSters webinar, where special guest Chris Hazelton, Research Director, Mobility & Wireless at 451 Research will venture beyond traditional MDM use cases, sharing valuable insights on the emergence of next generation enterprise mobility management (EMM) technology in the BYOD era.

In this webinar you will learn:

How IT can address security, privacy, and regulatory concerns in 2013
Recommendations for EMM technology adoption in your organization
Best in class methods for achieving mobile email, doc, and app-level security

Posted to: Beyond MDM: The Best Tools for the Next Stage of BYOD - Webinar - May 2, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 20:43:12 +0000

Are you making the "New Face" able to be fully used on an iOS device? Right now your site is not formatted for iOS devices to view properly.

Posted to: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Missing Corporate Settings

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:52:12 +0000

It works on some, but not others. And yes, Real Time Notifications are on.

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013

Wed, 01 May 2013 17:18:39 +0000

[YouTubeID id=O1f80yfWtoQ]

The fastest MDM platform just got easier

MaaS360 now has a completely redesigned and streamlined administrative console, significantly speeding up and simplifying mobile IT.

Join Val Hetrick, Director of Customer Success at Fiberlink, as she unveils the elegant new look and intuitive workflows to securely manage users, devices, apps, and docs. In this session you will see:

Engaging and efficient new home page navigation
One window, one click workflows for apps and documents
Mobility Intelligence dashboards and reporting for complete visibility

Posted to: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - May 1, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Missing Corporate Settings

Wed, 01 May 2013 10:32:59 +0000

On the Summary page of the device in MaaS360, does "Real-Time Notifications" say Enabled? If you do an "Update Device Data" from the MaaS360 Menu, on the device, do the settings show up?

One other thing I just thought of is you could have a firewall/network issue which could be blocking the Google Push Notification service, if these devices are connected to Wi-Fi and not cellular service.

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Missing Corporate Settings

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:31:53 +0000

Policy is correct

Device is Compliant

We waited an hour, and it still never showed up.

Any other ideas?

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Missing Corporate Settings

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:17:02 +0000

Assuming they are in the correct policy, do these device have "Real-Time Notifications" enabled? The only reasons I can think of that would prevent Corporate Settings from showing are:

Wrong Policy Assigned
Delayed Settings due to Real Time notifications disabled
Out of Compliance

Hope this helps.

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

Deleted Items Management

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:54:13 +0000

We are able to limit the number of days of email that is synched to a mobile device, however; it appears there is no way to limit the amount of deleted items that can be kept on the device. Is it possible to "auto delete" deleted items from our phones within the device policy?

Posted to: Deleted Items Management Show Thread | Post Reply

Missing Corporate Settings

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:02:52 +0000

I have random user devices (Androids) that will enroll, and be randomly missing Corporate Settings....which therefore means MaaS doesn't set up their corporate email. Anyone experienced this? Workarounds? Fixes?

Posted to: Missing Corporate Settings Show Thread | Post Reply

See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - April 24, 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:09:35 +0000

[YouTubeID id=uovO53L6cDQ]

The fastest MDM platform just got easier

MaaS360 now has a completely redesigned and streamlined administrative console, significantly speeding up and simplifying mobile IT.

Engaging and efficient new home page navigation
One window, one click workflows for apps and documents
Mobility Intelligence dashboards and reporting for complete visibility

Posted to: See the New Face for Enterprise Mobility - Webinar - April 24, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

MaaS360’s Newly Redesigned UI and Streamlined Workflows

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 16:51:53 +0000

Hello again MaaSters!

We’re excited to announce that the MaaS360 portal has undergone recent updates, which will make it easier and faster than ever to enable mobile security for devices, apps, documents and Web browsing:

Changes to our UI, making for an elegant & efficient experience
New streamlined workflows for simple one-step actions
Mobility Intelligence™ analytics, reporting and action engine

If you are a long time MaaSter, we expect our new UI to take you by surprise—providing a new look and feel with customizable background graphics and a revised home page dashboard to navigate your mobile environment. On May 4^th you can experience the new UI by simply clicking on the “TRY NEW UI” button in the upper right corner of the portal, made available to you simply and seamlessly through an update to our MaaS360 cloud-based platform:

Here’s a look at the new top navigation bar, which delivers the major management features critical to our customers:

You will also notice a new search bar, which provides the ability to look up devices, users, apps or docs, as well as take action (e.g., view, locate, distribute an app, locate a doc) right from the results with one quick click:

In the new My Alert Center, you now have the ability to customize and interact with your mobile environment in a completely new way. With hundreds of options to choose from, you can customize alerts to meet the needs of your organization:

If your alerts are red, you have a security or compliance issue that requires attention. A green alert falls under the security category, but signifies there is no action needed. Blue alerts are intended to provide you additional information.

Each administrator can customize her/his own My Alert Center. These alerts are not specific to administrators and not global unless you want them to be.

Hoping to save you a bit of time, we’ve afforded you an at-a-glance overview of your devices, users, apps and docs, giving you the power to take action in one-click:

When you view My Activity Feed, you won’t feel too far from your favorite social media homepages, as we’ve given you a stream of every activity in your mobile environment, updated in real-time. You’ll notice new devices, rule violations (compliance events highlighted in red), and much more. If you wish to take action, you can drill down into each activity to review its status.

If you wish to distribute an enterprise (shown below) or public app, we’ve streamlined to a one-window, one-click workflow for doing so while giving you the power to wrap security and data leak prevention (DLP) controls around each enterprise app:

We’ve also integrated public app stores such as Apple App Store and Google Play Store, making it easy to find & upload apps:

When you add a new document, you’ll notice how easy it is to add security (e.g., sharing restrictions, password protection, auto-download, WiFi-only download, hide doc preview in app, restrict delete after download) and DLP controls to each one through simple one-step workflow:

In the event that you will be enabling or have enabled iPhones and iPads in your mobile computing environment, we’ve streamlined your APNS creation and renewal process in attempt to make it more reliable and repeatable for you:

Last but not least, we’ve bolstered our analytics and reporting to offer you a whole new level of centralized visibility into—and control over—your mobile devices, apps and data. Our Mobility Intelligence™ dashboards deliver real-time, interactive, graphical summaries of your mobile IT environment while providing security overviews. Best of all, these dashboards can help you drill down into detailed reports to take specific actions.

You’ll be able to see:

Detailed hardware and software inventory reports
Configuration and vulnerability details
Integrated Smart Search capabilities across any attribute
Customizable My Alert Center to track and receive alerts
Filter by device ownership (corporate, employee), mobile OS platform (iOS, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry) and time frame (preset, custom)
Email subscriptions of your favorite reports (daily, weekly, monthly in various formats)

Here are a couple of examples:

We can’t wait to hear what you think about these exciting new changes. Please reply directly on this thread. Or if you would like to jump on the phone with us, feel free to dial our help desk at 855-MaaS-360.

Click here to view a live demo of the new look and intuitive workflows.

Posted to: MaaS360’s Newly Redesigned UI and Streamlined Workflows Show Thread | Post Reply

Enterprise Mobile App Management Essentials - APAC Webinar - April 23, 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:30:42 +0000

[YouTubeID id=2PKBTAUj6yI]

There are over 1 million mobile applications available for smartphone and tablet users. These aren't just divisionary time-wasters either; industries from medicine to manufacturing are finding countless efficiency from an app-enabled workforce. As productivity moves from mouse clicks to finger swipes, IT must lead the charge on how apps are developed, deployed, managed, secured, and even decommissioned in the mobile enterprise.

Join Vineeth Narasimhan of Fiberlink for a complete walkthrough of enterprise mobile application management (MAM). You'll learn the best practices across the entire mobile app management lifecycle:

- Techniques to build more innovative and useful apps
- Distributing apps to specific groups through enterprise app catalogs
- Publishing app updates to your entire mobile workforce
- Enforcing app security based on compliance rules
- Researching and recommending apps to users
- Selectively removing corporate apps from devices

Posted to: Enterprise Mobile App Management Essentials - APAC Webinar - April 23, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Curing Healthcare Mobility Management Ailments: Lessons for IT from HiMSS13 - Webinar - April 16, 2013

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:49:47 +0000

[YouTubeID id=Vvqlaiu_600]

HiMSS 2013 set a clear focus for IT in healthcare: more access points to patient data on mobile devices without compromising security.

Join us for a complimentary webinar that explores IT's role in helping providers unplug, integrate, and find new efficiencies in patient care and management of medical data--all while ensuring uncompromised security and compliance with HIPAA and HITECH.

Susan Nunziata, Director of Editorial for UBM Tech's EnterpriseEfficiency.com, will discuss what she learned from reporting off the HiMSS13 floor and how this will translate to new best practices for IT in 2013. Then Mike Jankovic, Healthcare Mobility Specialist for Fiberlink Communications Corp., will close the discussion with real-life lessons he's gathered from enabling tens of thousands of smartphones and tablets at medical institutions across North America.

By the end of this webcast, you'll learn:

The latest healthcare mobility trends, including BYOD for professionals and mobile apps for patients
Implications of enabling patients to update their mobile healthcare records
How to prepare your legacy apps for the future of mobility
Compliance and security measures that are keeping healthcare IT up at night
How to manage truly unplugged healthcare mobility
Ways to deploy, manage and secure tablets and smartphones across your organization
How to enable safe BYOD practices, especially for transitory staff

Posted to: Curing Healthcare Mobility Management Ailments: Lessons for IT from HiMSS13 - Webinar - April 16, 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Bulk add managed apps?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:43:27 +0000

Paul,

We are looking for the same features :) Not sure if you have any API experience but you may be able to do this with the APIs that are also available for MaaS360.

Steve

Posted to: Bulk add managed apps? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Bulk add managed apps?

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:43:25 +0000

Paul,

We are looking for the same features :) Not sure if you have any API experience but you may be able to do this with the APIs that are also available for MaaS360.

Steve

Posted to: Bulk add managed apps? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Bulk add managed apps?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:05:06 +0000

Thanks for the quick reply! It's good to hear you guys are considering adding that. I'll keep adding them by hand now, at least it seems like a rare occurance when we have to do so.

Thanks,

Paul

Posted to: Bulk add managed apps? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Bulk add managed apps?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:56:11 +0000

Hey Paul how are you? We dont have a bulk app load/push today, however we are working on it. I would suggest adding each one and distributing to either the Group or All Devices.

Posted to: Bulk add managed apps? Show Thread | Post Reply

Bulk add managed apps?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:43:18 +0000

Hi,

We're currently in a situation where we need to import 40+ apps to the whitelist, and have them deployed to a group of iPads. I've loaded the apps to the whitelist by hand and am in the process of pushing them out individually via the 'Manage Apps' section, but it's taking quite a long time. I was wondering if there was a way to do this for multiple apps at once, maybe something I missed?

Thanks,

Paul

Posted to: Bulk add managed apps? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Change Email Address

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:29:36 +0000

It could depending on how the compliance rules are written, however when you Remove Control, it should take the corp settings away and then mark the device inactive which would not take it out of compliance. The compliance rule could flat out Block the mail or Wipe the device if the device reports as User Removed Control.

Posted to: Change Email Address Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Change Email Address

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:37:08 +0000

Wouldn't users lose access to email if a Remove iOS or Android control was sent from the Admin Console? Just want to make sure I am clear on the difference, if any.

Thanks

Posted to: Change Email Address Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:14:28 +0000

Thanks Val,

If you need another beta tester, I'm more than happy to do so!

Posted to: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:06:35 +0000

Hi Jason - yes we are in beta now with the updated UI for Android and it will be available soon. We will post another article like this with the changes when ready.

Thanks!

Posted to: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Change Email Address

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:43:56 +0000

Please be advised by a user removing control on their own, they may be subject to losing access to their mail or even be wiped depending on what your corporation has set their compliance rules at, since many want to deter this behavior.

Posted to: Change Email Address Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: Change Email Address

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:05:43 +0000

User's can also perform the removal on their own device or by using the End User Portal.

On iOS the user can go into Settings > General > Profiles to remove the MDM Profiles.

On Android, the user can go it from the MaaS360 Application Menu.

Posted to: Change Email Address Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: What are the Maintenance Windows for MaaS360?

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:58:04 +0000

Received the following response through email:

Major release occur monthly, usually 3rd or 4th weekend of the month. These occur on Friday nights, usually maintenance outage is from 10 PM EST - 3AM EST.

We have a slot for minor release monthly, which could have @ 1 hour of portal maintenance, and they run on the 2nd Tues after a major release from 10PM EST - 11PM EST. But we try our best to do these elevations in a non-impact fashion so this a timeslot, but rarely causes a portal maintenance outage.

Posted to: What are the Maintenance Windows for MaaS360? Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: ios multiple mail accounts

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:52:56 +0000

Are you running the latest iOS? Have you tried resetting the device and setting up as new? I would also try setting up your Exchange account without MDM to see if the issue persists. We have not seen this issue at Pfizer.

Posted to: ios multiple mail accounts Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:10:54 +0000

Hi Val,

Thanks for the update. Will the Android version undergo a similar makeover so as to create consistency between the two apps and simplify internal documentation?

Posted to: MaaS360 Customer Service Update - April 2013 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: How do I configure Auto-Quarartine in MaaS360

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 17:52:47 +0000

Hi Shay - you have everything configured correctly, there are just 8 mailboxes that rejected the permission to set for auto-quarantine. If you go to Manage - Manage Cloud Extenders and click the Summary dropdown and go to the Auto-Quarantine Exceptions selection you will see the 8 mailboxes that rejected the permissions. It looks to me like these mailboxes dont really belong to users but are more group related. For the ones that dont belong to users, you can just click the box to the left and click Ignore.

For the ones that do look like they belong to users, this is the common resolution.

Insufficient Access Rights
This is probably the most common AQ error that has been encountered. If the users AD account, or the Organization Unit (OU) that the account belongs to, does not allow Exchange Recipient Administrators to have write access, the Cloud Extender will not be able to apply AQ to that user's mailbox. The MDM Service Account must be a member of the Domain Users group as well as Exchange Organization Administrators and Exchange Recipient Administrators. To fix this problem, the customer's AD administrator(s) must adjust the access rights on that user's AD account so that the Cloud Extender can apply AQ to that mailbox. Sometimes, the remedy is as simple as checking the "Inherit permissions from parent" checkbox for that user. If the entire OU is denying permission, another remedy is to move that user to another OU. Still another solution is to explicitly grant write access to the MDM Service Account for the OU or user AD account that is exepriencing errors.

Hope this helps. I also see you have a support ticket open so please let us know if this resolves the issue so it can be closed.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: How do I configure Auto-Quarartine in MaaS360 Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: MaaS360 User Naming - Planning

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:54:08 +0000

Hi Les - I would suggest using what would be the AD username as the username and you could also fill in the domain with the expected domain. We do use these fields to populate other information like wireless or vpn if configured in policy. So its good to do this even if you are not using AD for authentication for MaaS.

Let us know if this helps or drop another note over.

Thanks

Val

Posted to: MaaS360 User Naming - Planning Show Thread | Post Reply

Re: ios multiple mail accounts

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:43:23 +0000

Has anyone found a solution for this problem? I tried taking off the 3rd party apps as suggested and I still cannot set my exchange email account as my default account if I add another email account to an iOS device.

Are there any other suggestions out there to correct this problem?

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BYOD: APPS Act No Game for Enterprises

Wed, 15 May 2013 14:13:07 +0000

The recently passed Application Privacy, Protection and Security (APPS) Act mandates app developers must maintain in-depth privacy policies that in part forbid them from collecting any personal data once the user has stopped using their application.

Why is this a game changer? For consumers, the lack of App rule transparency has plagued social media experiences since the first cow mooed on Farmville. For enterprises, this act will require a whole new set of governors when it comes to employee smartphones and tablets especially when the conversation turns towards Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

Now that App developers, advertising networks and mobile operating vendors are lawfully required to furnish details on what data they collect and how the data is used, enterprises can have more faith in App integrity, but the data leakage and information sharing war is far from won.

APPS Act – The Heavy Hand of Trust

The APPS act has addressed one of the key shortcomings of the mobile application ecosystem – trust in mobile applications. Last year, a BYOD Harris survey revealed that 75% of smartphone owners forgo deploying enterprise applications that reveal their location in exchange for access to corporate resources. More often than not, this fear for loss of privacy has pushed many smartphone owners to remove apps that may allow employers access into their personal lives. This is sadly the antithesis of the BYOD productivity nirvana.

With the APPS act enforcement enterprises are now obligated to strongly monitor their app ecosystem and ensure that their business apps infuse trust with transparency. Thus mobile security solutions must be implemented for delivering privacy holistically.

4 Steps to APPS Act Compliance

This is by no means a full list on what should be considered for APPS Act compliance, but these starting fundamentals will certainly leave enterprises better prepared when the inevitable discussions begin with the legal department and the Chief Security Officer.

1. Define mobile security policies to ensure that the mobile apps delete user data after they have been uninstalled. Using a mobile application management (MAM) solution, you may:

Black list mobile apps that may invade into a user’s privacy and do not comply by the APPS act
Detect rogue apps
Decide to receive alerts for mobile application pop up notices that may intentionally or unintentionally turn off any app privacy settings

MAM solutions are resourceful in not only curtailing your app privacy concerns but also help you keep a check on the secured state of your app ecosystems.

2. Include an Enterprise App Store in your MAM solution for distributing and managing enterprise applications from a single window. Before choosing and downloading an application, administrators must:

Study the mobile app for its authenticity
Read the app privacy policy for what kind of data is being collected
Ensure that the mobile application allows you to change your privacy settings

MAM solutions must allow administrators to send alerts and reminders to smartphone owners if any significant information is being collected by any mobile application on the device.

3. Conceal employee personal info and location coordinates from the corporate eye with mobile security solutions. This is a popular, easy and effective way of adding privacy protection and ensuring that Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is being blocked in the enterprise world. The mobile security solution must disable:

App inventory reporting of personal applications installed on the device for restricting the administrators in gaining access into a smartphone owners personal app ecosystem
Location reporting to prevent access to indicators such as physical address, geographical coordinates, IP address and Wi-Fi SSID

4. Deploy mobile security solutions that suppress privacy concerns holistically. The idea is to delimit not only app privacy but also mobile privacy concerns to prevent any data breaches and simultaneously ensure a quintessential user experience. Employees may be apprehensive about using their personal mobile devices for business purposes if policies and processes are not in place to protect their privacy.

An extra level of protection finally comes from using dual persona solutions. With this “container” like approach enterprises can separate the work and personal areas on the phone. Smartphone owners can then easily toggle across work and personal spaces and IT administrators can be assured that all business intellectual data is accessed only by authorized personnel.

Gartner Predicts Waning of Corporate Owned Devices

Tue, 07 May 2013 15:23:34 +0000

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has transcended from buzz word to business as usual at a blistering rate. While there are definitive challenges associated with this open era of mobile information sharing, the boons in productivity are already apparent. Organizations that continue to shun the BYOD trend will be at a significant disadvantage as analysts across the board are showing BYOD permeating across all industries in coming years.

Take for example a recent BYOD prediction from Gartner, essentially stating BYOD will be less an option and more a mandate for employment. It’s a bold statement that has led to a major uproar among analysts and enterprise executives. This change will necessitate controls like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) to effectively manage and secure smartphones and tablets, but also force a completely new way of looking at the IT and employee relationship.

50% of Companies Can’t Be Wrong About BYOD

Gartner’s research recently indicated that half of all businesses in the United States and abroad will demand that employees participate in BYOD programs in the very near future.

50% of Companies Can’t Be Wrong About BYOD

Gartner’s research recently indicated that half of all businesses in the United States and abroad will demand that employees participate in BYOD programs in the very near future. David Willis, Gartner analyst and the firm's acting Vice President, wrote the article in reaction to a survey of CIOs that revealed many executives are planning to halt device provisioning by 2016. The next three years will show a shifting of IT’s budget from device provisioning to coffers set in place for BYOD allowances.

While the current widespread popularity of BYOD has been known for many years, this report indicates that mobility-first strategies will be apparent in the majority of companies within the next three years. Still, Willis explained that enterprises will need to evaluate BYOD more comprehensively to ensure that these efforts are well-founded, and come with the returns they expect.

BYOD Backlash in Job Hunt?

ZDNet recently explained that should Gartner's prediction manifest into reality the ramifications will likely be serious for employees. Will applicants be deterred by having to purchase devices for a job or shy away at this encroachment of business apps on their personal devices?

Currently there seems to be little fear from both a cost and invasion of privacy perspective. Most professionals already own some type of mobile device, since they are simply a tool for living. As for privacy, mobile device management from companies like MaaS360 can easily ensure the separation of personal and work data inherently or offer added protection through a Secure Productivity Suite.

Developing, Managing, and Securing Mobile Apps in the Enterprise

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:34:09 +0000

As enterprise mobility continues to expand and shift rapidly, business executives and IT strategists have worked to develop new methods of optimizing bring your own device (BYOD). One of the prevailing trends in BYOD has been the proliferation of enterprise application development, as more businesses move away from purchasing apps and toward making their own.

In these environments, mobile app management (MAM) solutions are essential, as unmonitored apps can be more disruptive than productive. The growing demand for specialized application development has led to a major shift in software development, which includes the increasing number of executives who have staffed their businesses with seasoned IT professionals.

As many companies will be somewhat new to the application development and software creation processes, executives need to ensure that they are procuring the necessary resources to make the strategy work.

Taking the applicable approach

TechTarget recently reported that companies have been forced to decide between outsourcing app development tasks to external firms or developing their own in a do-it-yourself fashion. According to the news provider, organizations will often have to pay higher fees over time when outsourcing mobile application development, especially when the desired software is complex.

However, cloud computing has offered enterprises with an opportunity to become more active in the app development process, especially Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). This technology offers the scalability and usability necessary to begin and continue developing mobile applications, even for those who have not done so in the past.

Regardless of which strategy is chosen, TechTarget asserted that the majority of companies are looking to create their own corporate applications rather than purchasing out-of-the-box products. This trend is expected to intensify in the coming years, as more businesses are expected to move past the simply BYOD launch phase and into the optimization process.

TechTarget added that the applications of such software development strategies are endless, and always work best when the company has a clear goal for each effort. For example, the news provider cited the success of one project at a convention center in Texas, which developed an application to store, access and manipulate blueprints.

This effort paid off, as it improved productivity among employees while decreasing the costs of printing out extensive blueprints.

Now that you’ve developed apps, how will you manage them?

It doesn’t matter whether an app is developed in-house, at an outsourcing firm or purchased off the internet. MAM is essential to ensure the integrity of data and enterprise networks. Further, applications that are never assessed or evaluated could hinder productivity through the disruption of services and a variety of other issues.

MaaS360 is among the most advanced MAM solutions on the market today, offering a variety of benefits to adopters. For one, our cloud-based platform simplifies and speeds up the overall mobile application management process. Not only is it intuitive, it comes with full operational lifecycle management capabilities.

After implementation, companies can protect enterprise apps by leveraging a mobile application container with full operational and security management, helping to reduce risk of sensitive data leakage. Mobile application workflows and app updates will be streamlined through complete lifecycle management.

5 step checklist for total app security

If you are looking for secure use of mobile apps in your environment, MaaS360 Mobile Application Security helps companies:

Enforce compliance checks
Restrict copy and paste processes
Provide real-time alerts for violations
Authenticate users before accessing apps
Leverage app wrapper or SDK to contain apps

Download the MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite data sheet today to learn more about how MaaS360 can help manage and secure data beyond applications, including emails, contacts, calendars, documents and the Web. Or click below to register for our upcoming webinar on May 16, where we’ll provide a complete demo of the powerful new suite that helps IT boost productivity and mitigate risks in the BYOD era.

Balancing Mobile Security and Productivity with BYOD Privacy

Wed, 01 May 2013 14:00:38 +0000

Though today’s mobile ecosystem is bustling with new features, application and product launches, it is not doing enough to cater to enterprise security and privacy needs. Second to mobile security, mobile privacy is an emerging, sensitive issue for many bring your own device (BYOD) workers. A recent survey conducted by Ars Technica revealed that:

34% of mobile owners are looking for mobile services or features that divide the work and personal space
22% were interested in the mobile feature or service if the costs were absorbed by the company
19% were only interested if the product or service was user-friendly

These percentages indicate that the BYOD user community expects different mobile strategies to be developed by IT that will be account for their personal privacy when using mobile devices. Similar types of demands from BYODers across all industries have made the protection of end user privacy a key deliverable for all BYOD programs.

For the same reasons, demand has risen for privacy safeguarding solutions that protect against leakage of both personal and corporate data. The mobile ecosystem is often flooded with news of mobile applications and mobile games violating a user’s privacy or collecting data without the users consent. When it comes to enterprises, it is important that access to networks and important software applications is controlled and monitored.

Addressing Mobile Security While Accounting for BYOD Privacy

IT executives must consider technologies that allow them to divide and isolate the work environment on a mobile device to provide seamless security and productivity. In the event that a device is lost or the user leaves the company, the privacy safeguarding technology must ensure that only the business data is wiped off and the user’s personal data is untouched.

Some technology approaches for addressing mobile security while maintaining BYOD privacy are:

Secure Data Container

This technique encapsulates business sensitive information and data in an encrypted or policy defined space or folder. Since a BYOD worker’s complete work activity is executed from this sandboxed area, movement of data is limited and the chances of sensitive business information getting mixed up with personal data are profoundly reduced. Apart from facilitating smooth and frictionless business communication, the solution does not steal away the complete device and application control from the BYOD participant.

One popular approach to enable a secure container on a mobile device is a dual persona solution, which is essentially the administration of two independent user environments to separate the “work” from “personal” data and experience on a mobile device.

However, device owners are compelled to use only the business applications available in the container, such as email and calendar, for work communication that are separate from their native email and device applications. This may cause some discomfort for the users, but IT must walk them through the importance of this strategy in meeting their data security goals. In many cases, workers prefer this separation of their work from their personal data, as evidenced by Ars Technica’s survey results.

App Wrapping

This is a popular technique for curbing the rising mobile application malware menace. Similar to data containerization technique, each application is wrapped in its unique container. IT can then add multiple layers of protections and monitor app behavior by defining granular security policies.

Content Stripping

This mobile security solution strips sensitive content from the email, like attachments, images, text, etc., stores the stripped content on a remote server or a defined location on the device, and then directs the user to retrieve the content from a secure application where the flow of content can be controlled.

The key downside to this approach is a disjointed user experience. The user would receive an email with no text and no attachments and would be required to launch another application to securely access the text and attachments.

Secure Document Sharing

This technique permits mobile users to read, edit and share sensitive business documents in an encrypted and secured container. IT can further augment the security on a specific document by defining more advanced security policies and enabling authorized access. A good use case of this technology is in the retail sectors where the management must ensure that all the tablets on the retail floors are updated with the current product and inventory information.

Learn how different approaches can work in tandem. Try out MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite today. Unlike other solutions, our solution delivers a dual persona approach to separate corporate information on the same device while providing comprehensive data leak prevention (DLP) features to secure devices, emails, applications, documents and Web browsing.

Education Mobility – No Hiding at the Back of the Class

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:14:46 +0000

Today’s students have my deepest sympathies. Back in the Paleolithic days of education, when chalk choked the air and gargantuan sized text books roamed the earth; slackers, the uninspired or just general rabble rousers had a powerful weapon at their disposal – the teacher’s line of sight. To speak more specifically, these miscreants could always find a way to procure the seats that were out of that line of sight, whether taking peripheral vision positions or slouching behind the more eager learners in the classroom.

Smartphones & Tablets – A Rabble Rousers Worst Enemy

Now, thanks to the proliferation of smartphones and tablets, whether student owned in a Bring Your Own Device Program (BYOD), or offered by the school itself, there is nowhere in the classroom for students to hide. Education engagement Apps like Learning Catalytics (recently acquired by learning tool juggernaut Pearson) have empowered educators in K-12 all the way up to higher Ed with a 360 degree periscope view of the classroom.

“Submit” to Never Raising Your Hand Again

We all remember the one student whose angelic hand would shoot up like an Apollo 11 rocket at even the most complex conundrums thrown out by teachers and professors, now that student will have to settle for gold stars at home with this leveling of the playing field. Interactive engagement Apps produced by the likes of Pearson coupled with the power of the touch screen can now make every student go the chalkboard at the same time without ever leaving their desks. Multiple choice questions, geometric manipulations, even the attachment of images for “Name that President” moments can be delivered to all students instantly.

Teachers Get Eyes in the Back of Their Heads

While there is woe in this new world of classroom transparency for some students, there is nary a downside for teachers. With controls from their iPad or Android devices, teachers can now see every single answer every single question…every single time.

Taking things to the next level, once the answers are submitted teachers can then do pairing exercises to match the accelerated students with others to foster collaborative peer learning.

Can IT Meet the Challenge? If Armed Correctly, You Bet!

With any new technology, IT can take two paths. There’s the ostrich system of letting these new technologies permeate the school with no controls or security. This would be a fine approach assuming the institution has a student base of less than twenty; a reality that only occurs in Walnut Grove inside Laura Ingalls class.

The practical and pragmatic approach is of course for IT to manage these devices; yes including the student-owned Bring Your Own Devices (assuming you don’t have the budget to buy every student a laptop or tablet). With Mobile Application Management (MAM), IT can distribute Learning Catalytics and any other App to all or select groups of students and teachers. Taking things a step further, IT can also ensure that every moment is used for learning time with Secure Browser control to ensure only sites that are learning focused will be accessed during school time. Tomorrow’s classroom is here for the school districts ready to embrace it.

Separate Work & Play on Mobile Devices in the BYOD Era

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:53:28 +0000

The consumerization of IT has continued building momentum since its onset, presenting enterprise IT with the unprecedented challenge of balancing end user wants and needs with the best interests of their organization. While best practices and policies related to bring your own device (BYOD) remain in flux, enterprises are beginning to deploy the most effective technologies, rolling them out with more efficiency than ever before.

Be a protector of personal devices

MSN recently reported that while employees widely prefer BYOD allowances, many are concerned about the privacy of their personal information given the controls used by their employers. According to the news provider, experts recommend that businesses take the safest path possible to BYOD policy creation, ensuring that corporate data and networks are protected from the risks posed by personal device use.

However, companies still need to balance between usability and security, as well as employee privacy and protection of corporate data. This need has led to an increased demand for dual persona mobility management solutions, and this trend is expected to continue for years to come.

According to CITE World, dual persona processes were widely discussed by speakers and participants at a conference in Barcelona, who described it as a way to preserve corporate data integrity and maintain employee privacy. Following this protocol helps BYOD policies garner strong participation rates and yield productivity gains while keeping critical information safe.

Separating corporate and personal data

MaaS360 recently announced a Secure Productivity Suite which can be implemented to support dual personal for iOS and Android operating systems. The new Secure Productivity Suite includes secure mail, application security, secure document sharing and a secure browser. Businesses can leverage existing infrastructure investments, as there is no need to install new on-site appliances that intercept company email. Other components of the MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite include the elimination of scaling issues and chance for email outages, while offline security and controlled movement of email attachments and texts are provided to prevent data leakage. Click here to read the official press release.

MaaS360 remains at the forefront of enterprise mobility management solutions, taking strides to ensure in the newest trends in the BYOD era are met with proper support. If you're interested in trying out MaaS360 for your BYOD strategy, consider signing up for a free 30 day trial today.

4 Cures for Healthcare Mobility Management Ailments

Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:51:22 +0000

Mobile technology is transforming the healthcare industry, and mobile health (also known as mHealth) is on the rise. This infographic from AlliedHealthWorld highlights how mHealth has changed the way the medical professionals consume and process information, communicate and engage with their patients, and most importantly, how they aid them in making a more intelligent and digital diagnosis. Outside the realm of patient care, some individuals have taken to various mobile health applications as a means to monitor their own health. These apps enable them to retrieve wellness and disease prevention information—providing them a way to send updates to their healthcare providers.

As mhealth gains popularity, protecting and securing health information on mobile devices has become a key challenge for IT in healthcare. A recent survey released by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP explains that while tech-savvy physicians and hospital staff save time by using their bring your own device (BYOD) devices to access patient health records, around 40% of patients are concerned about the privacy of their medical information.

Unprotected BYOD mobile devices coupled with unguarded cloud storage services make the patient data more vulnerable to data breaches. The threats further multiply when BYOD owners access healthcare data or exchange sensitive information over public wireless networks. Maintaining control and monitoring behavior on BYOD devices is a key challenge faced by healthcare IT.

Cloud services are a popular, affordable and an efficient way to store data amongst BYODers. Physicians and researchers often prefer cloud based services to maintain transparency and fluid interaction with their peers and patients. Though cloud solutions facilitate ease of sharing and quicker diagnosis, patient data privacy is largely at risk. Thus, IT must monitor data activity in the cloud to uphold adherence with HIPAA guidelines. Also, healthcare organizations must ensure that healthcare providers and professionals comply with HIPAA=instituted privacy and security regulations.

Collating your BYOD strategy components

Granted that 85% of hospitals are pro-BYOD, and the remainder are gearing up, IT must ensure their strategy answers to the following mobility security & management concerns:

How will you ensure that the privacy and security of the patient data is not breached?
What are your practices for increasing patient satisfaction while simultaneously mitigating security risks?
What technology are you leveraging to successfully implement your BYOD program?

The BYOD strategy must be comprised of regulations and policies that:

Account for the fluid nature of healthcare regulatory ecosystem
Defines the end-user’s bring your own device (BYOD) experience
Safeguard the healthcare data

Here are four effective ways to hurdle your healthcare security challenges in the BYOD era:

Enforce mobile policies that close out security loopholes. Here are a few examples of how this can be accomplished:

Define user access control polices to ensure only trusted source of users access hospital networks
Ensure that sensitive information is encrypted on all corporate-owned and BYOD devices
Permit patient data to be accessible only over secured links or over secure browser on BYOD devices
Define rules that ensure data is view-only (not editable) on BYOD devices

Deploy a private app store to ensure hospital data is consumed and processed over a secured tunnel
Separate work and personnel data on mobile devices, instilling confidence in both the patient and the BYOD owner that data is secure and unexposed
Spend time training staff on mobile device use best practices and create different educational tools like emails, videos, tutorials and quick reference guides to make the BYOD program incubation process simple, smooth and efficient

Curing Healthcare Mobility Management Ailments: Lessons for IT from HiMSS13

Join us for today's webinar at 2:00 pm Eastern US, 11:00 am Pacific. Fiberlink Mobile MaaSter, Mike Jankovic will be joined by special guest Susan Nunziata of EnterpriseEfficiency.com to discuss common healthcare mobility challenges and best ways to overcome them. Susan will recap major findings from HiMSS13, while Mike will walk through ways in which mobile device management (MDM) is helping healthcare organizations today. Click here to register.

Smartphone Stolen? Tablet Taken? There's MDM for That

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:20:27 +0000

Organizations of all industries and sizes continue to focus on implementing bring your own device (BYOD) and other mobility strategies to improve agility and drive productivity. However, essentially every IT professional has viewed this trend as a serious threat if policies and governance controls are not implemented in a comprehensive and proactive fashion.

Among the greatest risks to IT security is the event of a lost or stolen BYOD device. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions, especially those with remote wipe capabilities, are essential. They are the best way to ensure a lost or stolen smartphone or tablet does not lead to leakage of proprietary information or access to the corporate network.

Mobile devices slipping through the cracks

Some of the biggest, most highly esteemed companies in the world are struggling to tend to their technology flocks today. SC Magazine recently reported that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) misplaced 195 of its corporate-owned laptops over the course of a year. According to the news provider, the BBC also lost hundreds of other devices in the past two and a half years, including smartphones and tablets.

Since 2010, the corporation reported 399 laptops, 347 smartphones and 39 tablets went missing, amounting to a grand total of 785. This knowledge was obtained by Veracode, an application analysis firm, through a Freedom of Information request last month. While the costs of the lost or stolen devices themselves are high, experts warn that the security threats are far more severe.

"This is yet further evidence that the more portable the device, the greater chance that it can and will go missing," David Lingenfelter, Information Security Officer of Fiberlink, told SC Magazine. "This has a direct correlation with sensitive data ending up where it should not. Organizations need to adopt technology that provides a safe mobile computing environment. Any delay in a department's ability to support and secure the latest devices will increase risk, cause gaps in security and decrease staff productivity."

The risks associated with stolen or lost employee-owned devices can be efficiently mitigated with the right controls and solutions.

Overcome your losses! Win with MDM

Private enterprises and public sector organizations alike are turning to MaaS360 for its unique ability to handle a diverse assortment of pressing mobility management needs. Our cloud-based solution is hardwired for adherence to a variety of regulatory compliance statutes, enabling total control of all devices for optimized security. MaaS360 offers the accountability and scalability necessary to uphold a secure and successful BYOD strategy.

If you're interested in taking MaaS360 for a test drive, consider signing up for our free 30 day trial today. You'll have your devices up and running in minutes.

Facebook Home: Moan...Moan on the Range for IT

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:00:00 +0000

How many raging narcissists, chatty Cathy’s, social voyeurs, or simply Millennials occupy seats at your organization? Start the headcount today, because they are about to change the course of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for IT.

When I say change the course, I actually mean induce a new layer of frustration and security sieves for corporations trying to embrace mobility for efficiency. Yesterday, each of these Android touting seekers of attention or looky loos at the life of others had their grandest mobile wishes answered with the announcement of Facebook Home.

Facebook Home Ate My Lock

What is Facebook Home? Basically, it’s all Facebook all the time on your tablets or smartphones. In theory it’s not that different from current “skins” added by manufacturers like Samsung and HTC for product differentiation, but that’s theory.

In actuality, Facebook Home permeates all facets of the device – from hardware to every other app you use – which is great if Facebook is the reason you bought a smartphone. If you were planning on using that same phone for business, how do you plan on getting actual work done? I’m in marketing, so Facebook does devour a portion of my daily activities, but certainly not enough to justify the need for my friend’s circular “chat heads” living at the top of my Twitter app or Salesforce. Nor is it enough time to warrant home screen access to Facebook services and most certainly not enough to justify the ability to share a picture of my lunchtime latte without having to unlock the device. This is what should truly terrify every security wonk that has purview over mobility.

Does Your Company Value Mobile Security? Tread Carefully

I could talk functionality frustrations all day. Yes, I resent any app that puts my home screen where all my apps live down a level, requiring more finger waggling than a Doug Henning magic show to gain access to the device’s most basic feature. It’s wonderful that today, the home screen will show the latest updates from my retired parents in N.C., but it will not be wonderful when that space is eventually displaying an ad for products.

Security and management is what makes this new Facebook nirvana the most terrifying.

Want to know where your phone is? Simply call Facebook, they’ll know based off of your GPS. All check-ins with FourSquare will likewise shoot data back to Facebook so it can serve up ads for more pizza while you’re eating pizza. Oh, and did I mention that little part about being able to do activities without unlocking the tablet or phone?

Then there is the poor IT professional who already has enough headaches with Android fragmentation in a BYOD environment. Now, not only will you have to worry about the varying buffet items like éclairs and jellybeans and all of their various point based permutations therein, you will have the extra layer of Facebook Home munching away on users data.

The simple answer to manage Facebook Home is mobile device management (MDM). It provides IT the power to allow or disallow varying mobile operating systems. In the past most users didn’t care if they were forced into a certain OS. Heck, most users have no idea which version of Android they are currently running. They’ll notice the loss of Facebook Home though, and you can be sure a cacophony of whines will arise when IT won’t allow it.

But not allow you must. Sure IT needs to serve end-users, but never at the cost of compromising sensitive company data or enabling time wasters… like Facebook.

Shifting Mobility Strategies for Evolving Browser Use

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:57:58 +0000

Modern employees and consumers more connected than ever before, using smartphones and tablets to dig up information on virtually any topic. Web browsing, when done properly, can improve productivity and engagement among employees though a failure to educate on and govern use of such services could pose significant security threats.

Customization and ease-of-use have become two of the most preferred components of web browsing, and many providers of such services are beginning to cater to these desires. In the same way, employers are looking for ways to customize their governance approaches, ensuring security through advanced enterprise mobility management (EMM) solutions.

Googled Anything Lately?

The New York Times recently reported that the market for web-based search tools continues to increase in size, albeit Google remains well ahead of the competition in this space. According to the news provider, the search giant possesses 66 percent of the market with competitors slowly chipping away.

The source explained that search engines are diverging. Certain niche offerings now capitalize on consumer desires for quick and accurate responses. NYT cited LinkedIn and Amazon as the two major websites where consumers go more regularly than Google when they need employment or shopping information, respectively.

The Transformation of Search

These new user habits illustrate the shift toward a web-browsing market that is diverse and filled with more options than the traditionally sole leaders in the space: Google and Yahoo. The news provider also noted that the use of customized web browsing services has led to an increased opportunity to create more informed business strategies.

For example, search terms are becoming more direct and specific than ever before. At the same time, keyword and popular phrase information is readily available to marketers. Regardless of what a company's mobility strategy may be, managers and executives need to ensure that they are monitoring and controlling web browser use for security and productivity purposes.

Secure Browser + MAM = Safe, Productive BYOD

Enterprises can implement MaaS360 Secure Browser to ensure that all search activity of employees is productive and secure. The product protects organizations by blocking websites based upon content categories, and allows exceptions on a customized basis. Millions of URLs are categorized into 60 unique silos, helping expedite the customization process.

Additionally, enterprises can couple this service with MaaS360 for mobile application management (MAM), which will give complete control of app based web access on employee-owned devices.

Giving BYOD the OK? Here’s What Comes Next

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:50:21 +0000

The Millennial generation that could completely transform your business doesn’t prefer to use their personal device at work. They expect it. This very attitude is catching on with all generations: by next year, Juniper Research expects 350 million employee-owned devices will be up and running in the enterprise. The validity of these trends and projections remains unquestioned by forward thinking business decision makers, whose arguments against the tolerability of bring your own device (BYOD) have in turn lost steam. Room has finally been cleared for more germane topics of discussion.

We Are Pro BYOD. Now What?

Guard now down, the new challenge of the day is finding a way to uphold security and productivity whilst accommodating for newcomer mobile technology. Is it realistic to assume that smartphones and tablets, their data, apps, and docs can be accessed, shared, and utilized in harmony – all while connected to the longstanding corporate network? Each device brings with it too many unknowns and too much potential for disaster to simply give everyone the green light…. right?

If You Build It, They Will Come

A few games removed from opening day of baseball season, this cause and effect example from Field of Dreams could not be avoided. But really, now is the time for you to take a step back and consider the big picture: the players (BYOD users and their devices), the game (apps, docs, mail, and web), and the stadium in which it is played (your corporate network). In the case of BYOD, the adage can be reworked to they are coming. What have you built?

Before you ponder how horribly your inaugural season could go, take a breather. Step two of BYOD is not as mind boggling or stressful as it may sound. With cloud-based mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM), your Rome can be built in a day with devices and apps up and running securely in a matter of minutes. MaaS360 gives IT the assurance that the data contained on these devices are completely bridled.

Observing the Game from the Stands

There are also ways to facilitate secure, productive interactions between BYODers and your corporate networks and systems. You may have concerns about devices that have been left unmanaged. How can you see them? Or asking, in what ways can we ensure unmanaged devices remain unconnected? What can we see about a device that is attempting to attain access?

For these types of questions, look no further than network access control (NAC). Whether your strategy is shifting from containment, to embracement, to blocking devices altogether, you’ll have the control and visibility required to do so.

NAC + MDM + MAM = EMM

Our customers demand complete end-to-end visibility and control of their mobile devices and apps, as well as their network for comprehensive enterprise mobility management (EMM). A new partnership between MaaS360 and Cisco enables visibility, assessment, interaction, and even access restriction for devices that could be negligently entangled with your corporate network—actions that pose risk of a security breach or unforeseen data leakage.

Cisco ISE provides IT "visibility to all mobile devices — rogue or authorized — that [are] present on the wireless network." Integrating MaaS360 with Cisco ISE gives our customers the flexibility to use device context from our platform to enforce the appropriate network access policies, while MaaS360 enforces application and data access policies. For more detailed information on ISE, please click above to view the Cisco Blog.

Aiming to provide IT complete visibility and control in the BYOD era, MaaS360 has the most extensive experience integrating with the leading NAC providers, including ForeScout Technologies and Aruba Networks. These solutions have each respectively been recognized by Gartner as Leader and Visionary in the Magic Quadrant for Network Access Control. MDM and NAC integration gives customers the ability to phase in BYOD and “right size” their mobile security investments for different classes of users, departments, geographies, devices and applications, and apply the technological approach that best meets the need of those use cases, all from a unified platform.

If you are looking to get started, click here to sign up for a 30 day free trial of MaaS360. During your evaluation, our Mobile MaaSters will work with you to determine whether NAC features and functionality should be combined with MDM to meet the needs of your organization.

Moving to Mobile Payments in Retail? MDM Crucial for Success

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 14:32:05 +0000

By launching bring your own device (BYOD) programs, forward thinking firms of today continue to capitalize on the popularity of smartphones and tablets among employees. One of many industries that are embracing this trend, the retail sector has had to make swift adjustments to adapt to the growing wave of consumer payments being made via mobile devices.

Many firms within the retail sector have already begun benefitting from a variety of mobility strategies such as accepting payments through consumers' smartphones at the point of sale. New applications are strengthening the customer care portion of retail operations, including marketing and in-store assistance. Reasons for new mobility initiatives notwithstanding, retailers will need to implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions to ensure security and spread of productivity.

”Cha-ching” a sound of the past?

Two leading technology research firms recently released predictions and summaries regarding the exponential growth of mobile payments among a variety of industries. First, Gartner analysts said that the number of mobile payments users would grow from 160.5 million in 2011 to 212.2 million in 2012, though the final tally has not yet been released.

On top of the growth of users, Gartner stated that mobile payments transactions increased 61.9 percent between 2011 and 2012, breaching the $171 billion mark last year.

"We expect global mobile transaction volume and value to average 42 percent annual growth between 2011 and 2016, and we are forecasting a market worth $617 billion with 448 million users by 2016," Sandy Shen, research director at Gartner, explained. "This will bring opportunities for service and solution providers who will need to cater to the local demand patterns to customize their offerings."

What's more, Forrester predicted that U.S. mobile payments will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 48 percent between 2012 and 2017. This would represent an increase from a $12.8 billion market last year to $90 billion in 2017.

These predictions illustrate the importance of creating a mobile payments strategy soon.

Planning for mobile payments

More companies are beginning to accept mobile payments. Philly.com recently reported that companies like Barneys New York are enabling the use of iPads and other tablets to accept credit and debit card payments at the point of sale. The source explained that this improved efficiency substantially, as mobile payment processing systems are often much more affordable than traditional cash registers.

Executives are beginning to jump into the mobile payments game early to get a jump on the competition, as some experts have forecast the global landscape to approach a cashless marketplace in the coming decades.

"The traditional cash register is heading toward obsolescence," Danielle Vitale, chief operating officer of Barneys New York, told the source.

Still, there are a variety of challenges that need to be overcome before successful and secure use of mobile devices to accept payments from consumers. Retailers will need to comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) to ensure the protection of potentially damaging consumer information and avoid crippling sanctions or fines.

Secure, productive mobility in retail

Retailers can gain a substantial advantage by taking a comprehensive approach to mobility, incorporating payment processing strategies with BYOD initiatives. BYOD can improve productivity among retail employees in a variety of ways. For example, one application that has become more popular can ping employees through their mobile devices when a customer seems to be lost in the store.

To ensure the proper use of all mobile devices, whether they are being used to process transactions or boost productivity among employees, retailers will need to implement the right solutions. Helping to uphold compliance with PCI DSS and a variety of other regulations, MaaS360 is the perfect enterprise mobility management suite for retailers.

What is MDM? [VIDEO]

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:09:37 +0000

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/div&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Hi, everyone, and welcome to our video blog on &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=1145]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=1145]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;MaaSters Center&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;. I'm Neil Florio, and today I have Jimmy Tsang with me. How's it going, Jimmy?&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Great. How you doing, Neil?&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Doing great. Thanks. Today we're going to talk about a very exciting topic-- &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=27]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=27]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mobile Device Management&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;, or &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=27]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=27]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;MDM&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;. It's one of those topics that is really top of mind today across just about every company we talk to as they start to pull together their mobile strategies. But when we typically first engage with the, customers many times they ask us simply to explain what is MDM and what can it really do for our business? So today, why don't you kick things off, Jimmy? Why don't you tell us exactly what MDM is?&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sure. So MDM literally means &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=27]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=27]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Mobile Device Management&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;. So it's software that secures, manages, and controls mobile devices in the enterprise. What's interesting about the origins of MDM is that really, today's smartphones and tablets are made for the consumer and not for the enterprise. However, what we've seen is that employees and workers are bringing these devices into the workplace.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So what's smart by the major manufacturers is they realize this is a huge opportunity. So what they did is they gave some MDM features and made those available so that enterprises can control and secure their devices. So really, there's a whole host of MDM security features available. Things like enforcing encryption. Requiring Pasco settings on the device. Detecting jailbroken or rooted devices, so that there's no data leakage. Disable native apps, camera, and screen capture, even. Determining the location of the device if it's lost. And perform a remote wipe of the device if it's stolen.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So really, there's hundreds of levers that IT can use to secure and control devices. So what kind of customer challenges are our customers facing? Which kind of challenges are our customers facing today with MDM, Neal?&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sure. So there's a couple key things that MDM is trying to solve for our customers. First of all, it's the multi-platform challenge. So right now, organizations really need to deal with sometimes three, four different platforms, even beyond. So you've got iOS. You've got Android, which has multiple variants across different platforms. Windows Phone. So MDM really helps solve that challenge and provides a short and unified platform to be able to manage all that in a single tool.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;What it also does is help support &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=1830]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=1830]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;BYOD&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;, or &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="[sitetree_link id=1830]" mce_href="[sitetree_link id=1830]"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Bring Your Own Device&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;. So that's one of the major drivers for I IBM and essentially it's foundational prepare like so if you're allowing your employees to use their own personal devices to access corporate data. MDM can help you do that. Not only by configuring and managing the security policies over the air, but it can help you control that data and make sure that data-- if your device is lost or stolen, you can wipe that data easily from the device.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So ultimately, what it's doing is helping to reduce the risk and protect those corporate resources. So the networks, your corporate data. MDM helps you manage all that. And most companies have some sort of regulations they need to deal with. So MDM helps ensure that, and shows that you are compliant with whatever regulations that you do have.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;But ultimately, what MDM is enabling today is the transformation of business. So the use of mobile applications, of documents, MDM is really helping organizations find new ways to use these mobile devices to help them become more competitive in the marketplace today. We have some very specific challenges that customers are using across different industries. So Jimmy, why don't you tell us a little bit about some of those use cases that we see.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sure. We can talk about hundreds of use cases, but let's bring up a couple that we see today. So in health care, we see shared devices between nurses and doctors in a hospital setting. What they can do now is be able to log in-- so say, a doctor logs in-- and get the apps and the data that they need at that point of care, literally at the hospital bed. Before, it used to be tied to terminals or to some type of PC. But now they can use a tablet at the point of care.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;In retail, what we've seen is, again-- before, it was using the checkout line or the customer service terminal in order to look at inventory or even check out a customer. These days, they can use shared devices and go down the aisle with the customer and actually check out a customer at the shelf instead of at the line. So there's tons of use cases. And it's a really exciting space for MDM.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;But where do you think MDM is going? What's the future of MDM, Neal?&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Sure. So mobile goes real fast. And we always get asked, what is next? Now that I've got my baseline mobile management in place, where do I take this next? So we see-- mobility is moving out to the edges of the organizations. We're getting pushed out, to be honest. We're the core mobile users that you traditionally had in an organization. Now it's getting pushed out, as Jimmy said, to every area of your business.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So it's not just about managing the users or managing device-- managing users as well, too. So many users will have multiple devices. So you have to manage that across all the devices that they have. They have applications. They have documents they need to push out. Ultimately, what you want to do is provide the best use case-- the best user experience.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Users love these devices, so you don't want to necessarily lock them down into any particular area. You want to give them the freedom to be able to use the native capabilities as much as they can, still while being able to secure the information that you need to. So MDM is really evolving beyond just managing security policies to really managing security content device and supporting the business.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So the broader trend we're seeing in the industry is enterprise mobility management. So that really embraces a much wider set of capabilities and use cases within an organization. But we're seeing now is when it comes to having to secure the information, containerization and enterprise DLP types of controls are really what's next in MDM.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;There's a couple different approaches to that. Dual persona is one of those, where you can create two different spaces on device and be able to manage data separately. So if it's personal data, you can leave that alone. And you can manage all of the corporate data in a particular workspace. Also, context-based security. So applying policy based on location, time, or evens that happen. So a little bit more sophisticated.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;And then finally, when you see BYOD get pushed out within organizations, it's all about protecting user privacy. So making sure that their personal information is really kept personal. So ultimately, what you want to do is, you want to make mobility easy for users and IT. And the technology really should not get in the way.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;And every use case is different, even within an organization. So an MDM tool should be able to address all the different use cases. So from BYOD to some of the more interesting use cases that Jimmy talked about. So our advice to trial an MDM solution and see for yourself what it can do for your business.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;So I appreciate the time and look forward to talking to you again.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Hi, everyone, and welcome to our video blog on MaaSters Center. I'm Neil Florio, and today I have Jimmy Tsang with me. How's it going, Jimmy?

Great. How you doing, Neil?

Doing great. Thanks. Today we're going to talk about a very exciting topic-- Mobile Device Management, or MDM. It's one of those topics that is really top of mind today across just about every company we talk to as they start to pull together their mobile strategies. But when we typically first engage with the customers many times they ask us simply to explain what is MDM and what can it really do for our business? So today, why don't you kick things off, Jimmy? Why don't you tell us exactly what MDM is?

What is MDM?

MDM literally means Mobile Device Management. So it's software that secures, manages, and controls mobile devices in the enterprise. What's interesting about the origins of MDM is that really, today's smartphones and tablets are made for the consumer and not for the enterprise. However, what we've seen is that employees and workers are bringing these devices into the workplace.

So major device manufacturers are smart and soon realized this is a huge opportunity. So what they did is they created some MDM features and made those available so that enterprises can control and secure their devices. So really, there's a whole host of MDM security features available. Things like enforcing encryption. Requiring passcode settings on the device. Detecting jailbroken or rooted devices, so that there's no data leakage. Disabling native apps, camera, and screen capture, even. Determining the location of the device if it's lost. And performing a remote wipe of the device if it's stolen.

So really, there's hundreds of levers that IT can use to secure and control devices. So what kinds of challenges are our customers facing today with mobile devices, Neil?

Multiple Platforms, BYOD, Data Security, Industry Regulations

There's a couple key things that MDM is trying to solve for our customers. First of all, it's the multi-platform challenge. So right now, organizations really need to deal with sometimes three, four different platforms, even beyond. So you've got iOS. You've got Android, which has multiple variants across different platforms. Windows Phone. So MDM really helps solve that challenge and provides a short and unified platform to be able to manage all that in a single tool.

What it also does is help support BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device. So that's one of the major drivers for I IBM and essentially it's foundational prepare like so if you're allowing your employees to use their own personal devices to access corporate data. MDM can help you do that. Not only by configuring and managing the security policies over the air, but it can help you control that data and make sure that data-- if your device is lost or stolen, you can wipe that data easily from the device.

So ultimately, what it's doing is helping to reduce the risk and protect those corporate resources. So the networks, your corporate data. MDM helps you manage all that. And most companies have some sort of regulations they need to deal with. So MDM helps ensure that, and shows that you are compliant with whatever regulations that you do have.

A Gamechanger for Forward Thinking Businesses

Ultimately, what MDM is enabling today is the transformation of business. So the use of mobile applications, of documents, MDM is really helping organizations find new ways to use these mobile devices to help them become more competitive in the marketplace today. We have some very specific challenges that customers are using across different industries. So Jimmy, why don't you tell us a little bit about some of those use cases that we see.

Sure. We can talk about hundreds of use cases, but let's bring up a couple that we see today. So in healthcare, we see shared devices between nurses and doctors in a hospital setting. What they can do now is be able to log in-- so say, a doctor logs in-- and get the apps and the data that they need at that point of care, literally at the hospital bed. Before, they used to be tied to terminals or to some type of PC. But now they can use a tablet at the point of care.

In retail, what we've seen is, again-- before, it was using the checkout line or the customer service terminal in order to look at inventory or even check out a customer. These days, they can use shared devices and go down the aisle with the customer and actually check out a customer at the shelf instead of at the line. So there's tons of use cases. And it's a really exciting space for MDM.

But where do you think MDM is going? What's the future of MDM, Neil?

Total Enterprise Mobility

Mobile goes real fast. And we always get asked, what is next? Now that I've got my baseline mobile management in place, where do I take this next? So we see-- mobility is moving out to the edges of the organizations. We're getting pushed out, to be honest. We're the core mobile users that you traditionally had in an organization. Now it's getting pushed out, as Jimmy said, to every area of your business.

So it's not just about managing the users or managing device-- managing users as well, too. So many users will have multiple devices. So you have to manage that across all the devices that they have. They have applications. They have documents they need to push out. Ultimately, what you want to do is provide the best use case-- the best user experience.

Users love these devices, so you don't want to necessarily lock them down into any particular area. You want to give them the freedom to be able to use the native capabilities as much as they can, while still being able to secure the information that you need to. So MDM is really evolving beyond just managing security policies to really managing security, content and devices to support the business.

So the broader trend we're seeing in the industry is enterprise mobility management. So that really embraces a much wider set of capabilities and use cases within an organization. But we're seeing now is when it comes to having to secure the information, containerization and enterprise DLP types of controls are really what's next in MDM.

There's a couple different approaches to that. Dual persona is one of those, where you can create two different spaces on device and be able to manage data separately. So if it's personal data, you can leave that alone. And you can manage all of the corporate data in a particular workspace. Also, context-based security. So applying policy based on location, time, or evens that happen. So a little bit more sophisticated.

And then finally, when you see BYOD get pushed out within organizations, it's all about protecting user privacy. So making sure that their personal information is really kept personal. So ultimately, what you want to do is, you want to make mobility easy for users and IT. And the technology really should not get in the way.

And every use case is different, even within an organization. So an MDM tool should be able to address all the different use cases. So from BYOD to some of the more interesting use cases that Jimmy talked about. So our advice to trial an MDM solution and see for yourself what it can do for your business.

So I appreciate the time and look forward to talking to you again.

Wearable Mobile Devices on the Rise - Will They Reach Your Enterprise?

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 20:24:07 +0000

Although smartphones and tablets have continued exhibiting a rise in popularity, device manufacturers and software developers continue to take progressive steps toward more advanced mobile technology. Businesses that have not yet developed bring your own device (BYOD) programs—incorporating information governance strategies and enterprise mobility management solutions--might find themselves behind the productive pack by failing to adapt

Many enterprises have already started to approach mobility, while studies indicate that the majority of employees in the United States and abroad are using personal devices to access corporate data and networks, regardless of whether support is in place. In the road ahead, where do smartwatches and other wearable options fit into the picture within the enterprise?

Many new smartwatches, two few wrists

While Apple appears to be the first manufacturer to launch a smartwatch development initiative, CNN recently reported that Samsung is in the process of creating one as well. According to the news provider, Samsung's Executive Vice President, Lee Young Hee, said that his firm has been working on a smartwatch for years.

The source explained that this marks the continued competition between Samsung and Apple, as the Galaxy line of smartphones has thus far been the biggest challenge to the widely popular iPhone. Additionally, Business Insider reports that Google is working on its own smartwatch, which will run on its Android operating system.

The report explained that Google has been working on a flip-up display for a smartwatch, differentiating from Apple's product, though little information has been disclosed by either company. However, Apple's executives did recently announce that its smartwatch would be available later this year, and will run on iOS.

"Four eyes" just got cool

In one of the biggest mobile technology news stories of the year, Google released detailed information related to its Google Glass product, which might be the most progressive wearable device in production today. According to a report from Forbes, Google will tether this product with the iPhone and Android devices for better data reception.

Google Glass is expected to be the beginning of a major shift in mobile technology toward devices that can be used for a unique assortment of purposes outside the bounds of what is available today. The product has not been released for mass consumption yet, but is expected to be rolled out in the coming months.

Many experts believe that smartwatches and products similar to Google Glass will have impressive applications in the enterprise landscape, as employees will be able to use the devices more fluidly than even the most advanced smartphones and tablets. Too soon to begin preparing? Never say never: we can expect these wearable devices to enter the office by way of employees.

Wearable mobile devices: dress code violation?

As if the modern executive didn't have enough challenges to overcome regarding mobility, the new trend of wearable technology might further complicate information governance and device management strategies. Still, the most proactive companies will likely have the easiest time incorporating new technology into existing management structures.

These wearable products are expected to run on the operating systems we’ve grown accustomed to on our smartphones and tablets, and will interface with the devices as well. For this reason, enterprise mobility management suites that can ensure secure and productive use of smartphones and tablets on the market today will remain effective in the coming years, despite the rapidly evolving trends in wearable technology.

How has your organization responded to the current wave of mobile devices entering the enterprise? MaaS360 has stood out to enterprise decision makers as a cloud-based solution that can support thousands of devices in a relatively short period of time. Our award winning solution can be used in virtually any industry, even those with the most stringent regulatory compliance requirements.

BYOD Building Momentum in the Construction Industry

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 13:21:06 +0000

Largely driven by the popularity of smartphones and tablets among the general population, the consumerization of IT trend continues to heat up as workers look to use their personal devices for work purposes. Aiming to take on this trend responsibly, many businesses have implemented bring your own device (BYOD) policies in recent months, including organizations under the most stringent regulatory compliance statutes, such as the laws that oversee the medical and public sector.

In some industries, BYOD has been seen as a massive opportunity to streamline operations and corporate agility through increased productivity and efficiency, including the construction sector. As organizations in this industry often have a high number of staff members working at remote locations during projects, the utility of BYOD is obvious. With cloud-based mobile device management (MDM) solutions, construction firms can enjoy the benefits of BYOD.

Apps on the rise

Constructech recently reported that cloud-based mobile applications are becoming more popular in the construction sector, especially as these programs can help drive productivity among all staff members, regardless of geographical location. According to the news provider, more construction firms are using mobile as a way to strengthen continuity plans as well.

The source cited a study which found that 60 percent of businesses will use cloud-based systems by 2014, while mobile apps are expected to drive down expenditures substantially in the coming years. With that said, mobile application management (MAM) solutions will be imperative for construction firms that are beginning to launch an enterprise app store.

"Bring your own application (BYOA) has become as important as bring your own device (BYOD) in the development of a comprehensive mobile strategy, and the trend toward BYOA has begun to affect desktop and Web applications as well," Gartner's Vice President of Research Ian Finley explained, according to Constructech. "Enterprise app stores promise at least a partial solution but only if IT security, application, procurement, and sourcing professionals can work together to successfully apply the app store concept to their enterprises."

Constructing the right BYOD policy

Construction Business Owner recently explained that firms in the industry need to ensure that BYOD policies are tight and aligned with standing information governance protocols. According to the news provider, mobility provides construction firms with a variety of new opportunities to strengthen efficiency. Stringent policies and the ability to monitor smartphone and tablet use through MDM suites are crucial to avoid security issues.

Construction firms should consider adopting a cloud-based enterprise mobility management suite, such as MaaS360, to capitalize on the BYOD trend while avoiding the risks that come along with it.

Sir, Your Apps Doth Offend (and Expose) Thy Company

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 21:18:42 +0000

Apps, we all love 'em, we all use 'em, and we’re all leaving the enterprise more exposed than the albino beach backside of a Coppertone ad model.

Recently, Business Insider posted the top 50 iPhone apps that employees are subversively leveraging within the corporate firewall despite fervent emails from IT and general dismay. Ranked order of most to least used, here are the top 10:

Facebook
Dropbox
Google Mail
Apple iCloud
LinkedIn
Disqus
Salesforce
Amazon Web Services
Hotmail
Box

Let’s assume for a moment that completely ignoring your IT department's security concerns is a forgivable practice. Let’s also assume that no one has ever added files with sensitive information to Facebook when we meant to instead post pictures of a great pair of shoes or a cool car. What’s most alarming in this list? I’ll give you a hint: focus on the ones I've italicized.

Apps that cause IT apoplexy

The problems in this scenario are many; adding sensitive corporate material to Facebook is a faux pas of egregious proportions. At the end of the day, while it is plausible, it’s a slim chance scenario.

What should give any CIO or CSO worth their salt cause for concern are the gigabytes of data being thrown into the cloud with reckless abandon via consumerized file apps like Dropbox, iCloud, Amazon and Box.

Sure, these sites require passcode authentication, but as we all know one keystroke logger can send that Fort Knox crumbling to the ground. I wonder how many people actually log out of these apps…ever? Not often, which means anyone who grabs their mobile device (be it family or foe) has immediate access to a plethora of corporate brain trust.

Wrap that app! Or at least manage it

So what is one to do with those partaking in shenanigans on non-permissioned apps? Lack of visibility, especially in a mobile environment, is no longer an acceptable excuse. With mobile app management (MAM) solutions, IT is granted vision into every app across the enterprise, and yes this includes those brought along in accordance with a bring your own device (BYOD) program.

If employee privacy concerns arise in face of BYOD, supplementing mobile device management (MDM) with MAM can let IT and mobility business partners at the department level dictate the documents that may or may not be shared.

Basically, there are options when it comes to apps. Depending on your specific security needs, you might want to leverage the panacea of security with containerization, but that might also be overkill. At the very least you should have visibility and management before your entire enterprise is uploaded for the world to see.

5 Tips for Trimming BYOD Costs in 2013

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:48:54 +0000

While employees have opted to use their personal devices to attain a rich user experience and better work life balance, for many businesses a key challenge remains: unlocking the true potential of bring your own device (BYOD). As mobility gears itself to become the core of enterprise IT, senior executives are faced with the tough task of outlining a BYOD program which manages the influx of the BYOD devices on the corporate floors and controls the mobility incurred expenses of its workforce.

A recent BYOD survey indicated that the BYOD workforce, in many enterprises, were taking liberty and irresponsibly indulging in infamous spends. Some of the infamous spends of these mobile muggers were:

Irrelevant ringtones, mobile applications and premium text services
Data and voice excesses
International roaming surcharges

Understanding and analysing the true cost deliverables of a new enterprise program is essential to its successful adoption. While proactive BYOD expense management is the need of the hour, the question is – how do we do it? What provisions must be included in a BYOD expense management program? What are the plausible cost cutting measures in a BYOD program?

Hidden Costs of BYOD

A review of your corporate mobile policy is incomplete without including the expense considerations of the BYOD workforce. An Aberdeen survey conducted last year suggests that BYOD management is not as cost efficient as issuing corporate-owned devices, adding that BYOD environments make mobile expense management less efficient. BYOD may seem simple on the surface but has many hidden costs for corporates to watch for. Here are five tips for avoiding budget pitfalls oft associated with BYOD:

Maintain an understanding of end-user behavior. Employees using their personal devices for work have a tendency to accomplish their tasks by any means necessary, which at times can mean overspending. To procure a cost effective BYOD environment, it is important for IT to have visibility into their employee devices data, voice plans and billing records.
Carefully think through your reimbursement strategy. When organizations launch BYOD programs, they will typically forgo the hardware expenses of issuing smartphones and laptops and deploy a fixed stipend policy for workers that opt in to BYOD. This can however be a costly mistake. These organizations fail to realize that they will end up paying more. Where corporate-owned phones are assigned to a particular segment of individuals, BYOD programs can include everybody. Thus, when strategizing how costs will be reimbursed, identify a set group of individuals for whom you wish to issue stipends for.
Clear the air on what devices are accepted and how they'll be supported. Providing support for BYOD devices can be a tangible expense for many organizations. As BYOD programs are rolled out, the helpdesk faces the daunting task of supporting a myriad number of devices and mobile operating systems. Thus, BYOD policy agreements must clearly highlight the support clauses and level of technical support the organization will provide.
Liken your approach to pre-existing programs. Expense management protocols involving multiple departments are likely to add to the expense report processing time and money. Thus, BYOD expense management procedure must be based on a similar model of corporate-liable device expense management procedure – central management, limited signing off authorities, lesser compliance issues, and lesser usage and billing discrepancies.
Take advantage of automation to uphold compliance and security within your BYOD environment. This should also help reduce total cost of ownership. Processes and procedures involving manpower and manual work are more expensive and error-prone than practices that involve automation.

Meet Expectations with Expense Management

As a primer for expense management planning, IT must focus on strategies that render complete visibility and control over their mobile ecosystem. They must have a listing of active employees using mobile services, hardware and software inventory of corporate supplied and BYOD devices, their billing records, payment details, and popular corporate resources and software aiding in conducting smooth businesses.

This is essential as it as it renders visibility into zero usage devices and unused services. Subsequently, finance can outline optimized data and voice plans and assign them relevantly to individuals (based on their roles and needs). IT departments can too understand their technological needs and its impact on their IT budgets.

Behind the MEM Console

The key objective of a mobile expense management (MEM) solution is to drive control, efficiency and effective cost and policy management in the BYOD ecosystem. Through a single, secure MEM web console, different departments can work together to define corporate-wide expense monitoring policies and track their employee devices voice, data and international roaming outflows. Simultaneously, employees can decide to receive cost alerts regarding their data usage and derive more accountability to their device expenses.

Tablets and smartphones are packed with multimedia features but lack security features, andno BYOD environment is exclusive of security risks. This trend should not however be avoided by IT, as workers are likely to bring in and use their devices with or without a formal program in place. BYOD management therefore commands detailed planning, streamlined execution and aggressive BYOD task force education.

Mobile Device Management in HiMSS13 Spotlight

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:05:28 +0000

As the healthcare industry continues to become more technology-driven, legislation urges for the procurement of advanced systems that can improve patient care and spend efficiency by providers. The rise of electronic health records (EHR) systems as well as the increasing physician preference for accessibility of the digitized patient information through personal devices illustrates the need for healthcare organizations to implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions.

Bring your own device (BYOD) has spread to virtually every industry, though healthcare providers have a heavier load when it comes to the creation and enforcement of policies, as regulatory compliance is more stringent in the sector. With enterprise mobility management suites, these organizations can successfully implement BYOD, improving patient care and employee engagement.

HiMSS13 Annual Conference

Tech Page One recently published a brief on IT in healthcare, focusing on the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS), which recently held its 2013 conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference brings together some of the most prominent minds in the healthcare IT sector today.

As the popularity of BYOD continues to thrive, Charlotte Davies, the Lead Analyst of Ovum's IT in Healthcare Practices division, explained that mobility should be a major priority of healthcare executives in the coming months.

"Connected mobile devices offer a double-win in healthcare," she said, according to Tech Page One. "Firstly, they will be key in the shift to the big rise in cross-disciplinary teams, which are required to deliver coordinated care. Secondly, mobile devices are key tools in helping to ensure patients follow treatment regimes, in monitoring patient symptoms in real-time, in facilitating a higher level of self-care and in contributing to richer data for the development of personalized medicine and treatment."

The source added that security of all patient data continues to be one of the more important priorities for the industry, especially as healthcare providers implement new technology. This illustrates the importance of advanced mobile device security and MDM solutions.

MaaS360 for Healthcare

MaaS360 was on scene at this year's HIMSS13 conference, showcasing how our solution enables secure and safe support of all corporate and employee-owned devices. MaaS360 for Healthcare can be leveraged to uphold regulatory compliance, such as HIPAA, and helps organizations secure electronic protected healthcare information.

Security, however, isn't the only advantage of MaaS360, as it helps reduce the cost of mobile device, application and document management by decreasing IT workloads while upping mobile user productivity.

Classrooms Jump Aboard the BYOD Bandwagon - Part 2

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:44:40 +0000

In our introduction to this two part blog series, I described how smartphones and tablets are changing the way instructors and students interact within the classroom, and common concerns among education administrators and IT management in face of this new technology. In this blog, I will help describe how these devices can be managed, enabling a secure and productive use in and out of the classroom. To curb the pain points of BYOD, IT must look for mobile device management (MDM) solutions that allow them to maintain a tighter grip on their mobile ecosystem. IT must urge all mobile device owners to enroll their devices in the enterprise MDM platform.

When selecting an MDM platform, IT must evaluate mobile solutions for the following factors:

Resolving Device Inequity Crises: Dispatching standard mobile devices or settling down on a specific device type is not always a scalable or viable solution. Instead, IT must study their mobile ecosystem, understand their needs and look for devices that are popular with a large group of students, staff and faculty.

Then, they must look at MDM solutions that allow them to support multiple devices, multiple operating systems and can easily accommodate the dynamic nature of their mobile ecosystem. An MDM solution must be scalable in the long run and allow IT departments to rapidly deploy and manage new and old devices.

Lastly, MDM platforms must work harmoniously with legacy platforms and data modules.

Curtailing Distractions: IT can define different geo-fencing policies to ward off social distractions such as gaming applications, networking groups and distracting content. The best MDM solutions allow IT to define multiple policies and enforce them only when the devices are on campus. This will ensure that the devices aid the users in their learning process, while offering them the flexibility to use the device outside of the educational setting.

Defining Internet Content Filtering Rules and Policies: Filtering Internet content is an important objective of an educational IT department. IT can define policies that:

Restrict student user groups from accessing any specified site

Blacklist applications violating the content consumption criteria

Restrict the use of 3G or 4G wireless technologies

Send alerts for BYOD devices consuming illegal content and violating laws

Securing Content Distribution and Management: Many MDM solutions allow IT to give rights to faculty and staff for distributing and sharing content in a safe and secure manner. IT can also define mobile policies to enforce encryption on all BYOD and in-house mobile devices accessing or housing any intellectual property. Unauthorized distribution of this content can be prevented, and access to the content can be revoked when the user no longer requires it.

Private or In-house App Stores: In-house app stores are a smart way of managing your app ecosystem. They make it possible to distribute and manage apps across all devices from a single centralized console; all while preventing malicious applications making the rounds. As required, they can send notifications about app updates or alert device owners on lagging app versions.

Bring your own preparation

Beyond the technology-centric MDM solution, it is highly recommended that IT staff sit with different user groups (including students) to understand their mobile needs, preferred applications, settings and content protection requirements. It is also important to have a well-defined BYOD policy, and to take steps to enforce it effectively.

Are you ready for BYOD? What questions and concerns do you still have? Please share with us your BYOD experiences on campus in the comments section below.

Classrooms Jump Aboard the BYOD Bandwagon

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:57:17 +0000

It didn’t take long for smartphones, tablets and apps to replace books, binders, and notepads as the most preferred learning resources of our time. Today’s students consider access to wireless networks, online courses, email exchange and digital textbooks prime necessities to go along with their gadgets. Consequently, student faculties have begun exploring different technologies for pupils that expedite the learning process, increase student engagement and encourage creative thinking. Some educational institutions run classes on Google Applications so that parents can get the same experience their children are getting in the classroom. This Presta infographic expounds the changing times at educational campuses.

Add Your Own Device to Your School Supply List

A prime driver of the change is the bring your own device (BYOD) trend. Many students, staff and faculty who bring their own devices use multiple devices on campus. For example, a student may use his Android smartphone to send a course registration email, access the course management system from his iPad and then use his laptop later in the day to create a presentation or complete their assignments. This increases pressure on the IT staff to ensure the secured state of the campus network, devices and content.

Configuring Wi-Fi, email, and VPN on the growing fleet of BYOD devices in a fast, efficient and uncompromising manner remains a key challenge. While Apple Configurator gives IT administrators the ability to perform basic device management functions, such as rolling out an image on iPads, it fails to support advanced device management requirements on different devices (iPad, Android devices, laptops or Macs).

Another daunting challenge for educational institutions is content distribution and management. How can professors and teachers share research content and intellectual data with their students securely? Can e-books, videos or any course content be distributed in a secured and reliable way on different BYOD devices?

Ensuring security of assets in an open environment with less mature BYOD owners is of the utmost importance. While on campus, how can IT restrict their students from accessing certain online content, smartphone features like camera or productivity-killing apps? How can they protect their networks from jailbroken or rooted devices infested with potential malware and detect open security loop holes?

Managing BYOD In and Out of the Classroom

Various surveys and reports have indicated heavy BYOD adoption in schools and colleges. What these reports often leave out is that the IT staff struggles to effectively manage these devices. They may not be sure which solution empowers them to manage their BYOD and in-house devices in a uniform way without abstracting their heterogeneity. That, or they are confused by the numerous options in the market and the solution deployments are slow.

It is important that educational authorities define mobile policies that restrict the use of certain mobile applications and mobile features on campus. For in-house devices, it is important that the value and security of the iPad and other university-owned devices do not get compromised as they are transferred student to student, year after year.

With all these imposed complications, how can educators harness the power of the BYOD movement? What are the recommended best practices education institutions must support? How can educational institutions with limited IT budgets resolve these technical challenges? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments section.

Make sure to read part two of this blog series, which covers common solutions for managing mobility in education.

Application management key for BYOD

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Though many enterprises and public sector organizations have already implemented mobile device management (MDM) solutions, a majority have yet to optimize bring your own device (BYOD) policies by implementing mobile application management (MAM) tools. Mobile applications are becoming more crucial components of enterprise mobility strategies, especially when it comes to productivity and file sharing.

However, when companies fail to adequately monitor and control app use among employees, software can become a significant threat to data security and employee productivity. More enterprises are beginning to launch customized application stores, and are either developing unique options or offering employees specific programs that decision-makers deem acceptable. Regardless of what the approach is, though, enterprises must implement MAM to optimize the user experience.

The utility of mobile apps
TechTarget recently explained several ways in which companies can optimize operational processes through the use of effective and customized enterprise applications. Many employees have already started to use productivity apps on their own, though these staff members could be procuring programs that are not the most effective.

According to the news provider, though the biggest cause of variance among enterprise application strategies is contained within the decision to provide employees with apps or allow them to choose their own, the challenges of each are relatively similar. For example, enterprises must ensure that management solutions and infrastructure are prepared for each application that employees use, regardless of where the staff members are getting the programs from.

The source suggested that IT departments and BYOD participants are increasingly interested in using the most advanced productivity-driving apps, which have become ubiquitous in recent years. Because the best apps are customized to the specific needs of a given employee, enterprises are largely shifting to internal application development.

This has already started to help employees better carry out their daily responsibilities, and will continue to streamline operations as long as decision-makers keep up with demand.

Mobile app development made easy
Though many companies have never developed software internally, tools that help facilitate this process have become widely available. For example, enterprises are beginning to use Platform-as-a-Service, which is a component of cloud computing, to develop apps with the staff on-hand. This affordable option provides enterprises with the tools they need to create an effective app development and management strategy.

Further, enterprises can use cloud-based MAM suites, such as MaaS360, to enable application development and streamline the subsequent management procedures.

Security best practices for healthcare BYOD

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The healthcare sector has been among the hardest hit by data breaches in recent years, and each instance of information theft has led to massive financial loss and damaged reputations. Medical organizations in the United States and abroad have to adhere to a variety of regulatory compliance statutes to avoid sanctions and fines, though simple adherence to these rules is not always enough to maintain data integrity.

Bring your own device (BYOD) has thrown yet another curveball at the healthcare industry, though it is one that organizations can hit out of the park with the right mobility management solutions. Mobile device management (MDM) tools have become more affordable, secure and agile than ever before, and can help healthcare providers capitalize on the benefits of BYOD, while avoiding the various risks.

Managing the finer points of BYOD
Health IT Security recently reported that though medical organizations have started to allow employees to use their personal smartphones and tablets more commonly, many are failing to prepare IT infrastructure for BYOD. To correct this potentially devastating issue, healthcare providers first need to implement customized and effective BYOD policies.

The news provider suggested that the first step toward a strong BYOD policy is outlining the terms of use and communicating them to all employees participating in the program. This outline should be structured according to the specific organizational needs, which can be discovered through comprehensive vulnerability tests.

According to the source, one of the finer points of BYOD policies that healthcare providers often miss is the access component. Medical organizations should ensure that authentication and verification protocols are incorporated into BYOD policies, and that employees know to only use secure wireless networks when accessing sensitive corporate or patient information.

Health IT Security added that mobility management solutions, such as MDM and mobile application management (MAM) tools, should be procured during the policy-making process and implemented before any employee uses a personal device to access information or networks.

MaaS360 for healthcare mobility
Healthcare providers should consider using MaaS360 for all of their mobility management needs. The recently released MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite can be the perfect answer to all BYOD concerns, as it separates work and personal use of each employee-owned smartphone and tablet, helping to efficiently maintain security and privacy protection.

If you're interested in taking MaaS360 for a test drive, sign up for our free 30-day trial today.

Healthcare providers need MDM for BYOD

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The healthcare sector has become more active in the larger trend of mobility in recent years, as more physicians and other professionals demand access to patient data through their personal smartphones and tablets. As many nations have strict patient privacy and data protection rules, bring your own device (BYOD) in healthcare can represent a significant threat.

However, healthcare executives can implement mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions to ensure that all patient data is secure, though still accessible to authorized employees. By using cloud-based MDM, medical organizations can attain the cost benefits of BYOD while mitigating the various risks and maintaining compliance with standing regulations.

CIOs concerned about BYOD
InformationWeek recently reported that a new study from the Health Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS), revealed that BYOD is among the highest concerns of medical organization executives today. The study also found that cloud computing has been viewed as a potentially dangerous technology in healthcare.

However, medical organizations continue to launch cloud computing and mobility strategies aggressively, as each is necessary to maximize profits and optimize patient care. What's more, recent legislation in the United States, namely the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, has demanded that medical organizations become more proactive in the adoption of new technology.

According to the news provider, many healthcare technology executives who responded to the HIMSS survey cited concerns that personal devices are already being used to access patient data, whether the organization knows it or not. The source added that healthcare providers are adopting progressive management solutions, including MDM, to deter unauthorized access of data through personal devices.

InformationWeek cited a 2012 survey conducted by HIMSS that revealed that roughly three-quarters of healthcare organizations already have structures in place to wipe data remotely should a personally-owned smartphone or tablet be stolen or lost.

MaaS360 for healthcare BYOD
Healthcare providers often need an enterprise mobility management suite that can be implemented rapidly, and comes with scalability necessary to support a growing number of employee-owned smartphones and tablets. Additionally, these solutions must comply with federal regulations related to data security and patient privacy.

MaaS360 is a effective MDM and MAM suite that helps healthcare providers maintain security while being affordable and capable of supporting thousands of devices. This cloud-based solution provides the balance of accessibility and security necessary for a successful healthcare BYOD strategy.

Entrepreneurs struggle with mobile security threats

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, small businesses have become the biggest targets of cyber criminals, especially as these firms often don't have the resources to develop effective IT security strategies. Studies indicate that hackers also view small businesses as more opportunistic than larger enterprises, because each successful data breach results in higher amounts of stolen information.

Small businesses have been at the forefront of bring your own device (BYOD) launch, but continue to fall behind the pack when it comes to mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) implementation. Entrepreneurs need to incorporate enterprise mobility management procurements into BYOD strategies to reduce the risk of cyber crime.

Small businesses wake up to BYOD threats
A recent eWeek article explained how some of the most recent studies have indicated that small business owners are now beginning to view security as a major component of successful, continuous operations. For example, the Information Security Community group on LinkedIn conducted a survey of 1,650 information security professionals that sought to discover sentiments related to BYOD protections.

According to the news provider, 70 percent of respondents to the survey cited security as their top concern, asserting that it is the paramount aspect of successful business operations. However, despite the widespread fears of lost data, malware and other threats, low security solution implementation rates have persisted.

The source noted that the researchers behind the survey found other intriguing components related to small business security behaviors. For example, many firms only rely on data encryption, which is often not enough to defend against a lost or stolen device. The authors told eWeek that mobile devices are endpoints, and as such, can be the targets of traditional attacks.

Finally, eWeek noted that another survey revealed that 9 out of every 10 U.S. employees used their mobile devices for work functions in 2012, though less than half of the enterprises in the nation have taken the proper steps to avoid security breaches.

Small business, big BYOD
Entrepreneurs need to take a comprehensive approach to BYOD to ensure the most optimal and secure strategy possible. While policy making is the first step toward a strong BYOD environment, controls such as MDM and MAM must be implemented to support these protocols and help IT departments better enforce the rules.

Small business owners often benefit from using cloud-based mobility management solutions, such as MaaS360, as these tools are more scalable, allowing for affordable BYOD growth.

Schools hopping on the BYOD bandwagon

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Bring your own device (BYOD) adoption rates are increasing in a number of sectors, as enterprise decision-makers begin to understand the operational and engagement-based benefits of the strategy. Regardless of which industry an organization operates in, enterprise mobility management solutions must be implemented to optimize a BYOD experience.

With mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, organizations can better monitor the use of BYOD devices, ensuring secure, productive participation in the program. Schools are increasingly launching BYOD strategies, and as these establishments often handle relatively sensitive data, MDM and MAM should be incorporated into the mobility strategy to protect employee and student information.

Education gone mobile
The Australian recently reported that many schools have approached BYOD in an opportunistic fashion, much like the reasons behind the growing popularity of the strategy among enterprises. According to the news provider, many schools, especially public districts have consistently faced budgetary constraints when trying to procure and deploy the most advanced technology available.

With BYOD, school executives can leverage the popularity of smartphones and tablets among students to decrease the costs associated with technology purchases, all the while acquiring the mediums necessary to educate through the most progressive delivery methods available. The source explained that while allowing students to use their own devices in school can reduce costs, educational organizations are still tasked with building an adequate infrastructure to support and secure BYOD.

The Australian noted that private schools have thus far dominated the shift toward mobile, largely because these institutions have higher budgets. However, public counterparts are increasing efforts to discover the most affordable and agile options to build BYOD infrastructure.

Further, the news provider asserted that the rapid growth of e-learning technology, especially educational programs that are accessible through mobile devices, is further bolstering BYOD proliferation among schools.

Agile MDM for stronger BYOD
Schools and organizations that do not have high budgets, but are still looking to launch a BYOD program, can gain several advantages by implementing MaaS360 for all mobility management needs. This cloud-based MDM suite provides the control, scalability and efficiency necessary to launch new BYOD programs and expand existing ones.

MaaS360 is among the most secure MDM solutions on the market, and allows administrators to centrally manage all devices intuitively and accurately. The solution can be easily implemented, and is capable of supporting thousands of devices in a short period of time.

Shifts in BYOD necessitating dual persona capabilities

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

As bring your own device (BYOD) continues to become more commonplace among enterprises and public sector organizations around the globe, more best practices and quality standards are proliferating rapidly. One of the most popular trends in corporate BYOD today is the desire to separate work and personal use of each employee-owned smartphone and tablet.

Taking an approach to mobility that incorporates dual persona capabilities is among the best ways to maintain employee privacy protection and corporate data security. With the right mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, organizations can establish internal policies and practices that minimize risk and maximize productivity.

Necessary behavioral shifts for BYOD success
Forbes recently explained some of the ways in which organizations need to shift their behaviors and practices when it comes to mobility management protocols. For example, corporate decision-makers should consider implementing widespread use of cloud computing services, as this technology will enable accessibility and central management capabilities for BYOD environments.

According to the news provider, executives should also focus on standards related to application procurement, development and deployment. By regulating the mobile apps used by employees, enterprises can often reduce the risk of productivity-draining software, as well as dangerous applications purchased from malicious sources.

The source added that a separation of work and play has become more crucial - and more attainable - than ever before. Forbes suggested that applications, email accounts, social media websites and documents should be segmented into personal and work-related portions of each tablet or smartphone, isolating the various uses of the devices for an enhanced ability to manage productivity and security.

Further, the news provider noted that disaster preparedness plans should be incorporated into BYOD policies, and should cover a variety of potential threats, including data breach stemming from a lost or stolen device. Smartphone theft has increased substantially in recent years, and MDM implementation can help curtail the risks associated with employee-owned devices falling into the wrong hands.

Central and efficient BYOD management
Fiberlink recently rolled out its MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite, which enables dual persona capabilities for employee-owned smartphones and tablets. This solution is complete with a secure web browser, MDM and MAM tools and much more, providing executives and IT personnel with an opportunity to centrally manage and enforce all BYOD policies effectively.

If you're interested in trying out MaaS360 in your organization, consider signing up for our free 30-day trial today.

MDM needed to reduce risks of rising malware prevalence

Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

New technology often drives the emergence of advanced threats, as cyber criminals try and stay one step ahead of the new devices and software to capitalize on unknown vulnerabilities. In recent years, mobile devices used to access corporate data and networks through bring your own device (BYOD) environments have become some of the favorite targets of cyber threats.

For this reason, enterprises need to focus on creating the most agile and proactive information governance policies, and implementing the necessary controls, such as mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, to enforce the protocols. In recent years, identity theft resulting from following data breaches has increased substantially, and organizations need to be more proactive in defending against this crime to decrease the risks associated with information loss.

Malicious forces intensify
IT Web recently reported that malware has increased substantially in the past two years, and many experts believe that this is the direct result of more unmanaged mobile devices entering the workplace. Though a growing majority of businesses now have BYOD policies in place, too few are taking the necessary precautions to maintain data and network integrity.

According to the news provider, one study found that malware increased by 400 percent between 2011 and last year, which directly correlated with the exponential growth of the number of firms that allow the use of personal smartphones and tablets for work functions. What's more, the expansion of BYOD and mobility at large show no signs of declining or even hitting a peak anytime soon, as more CIOs plan to launch mobile-first strategies in the coming months and years than ever before.

IT Web explained that enterprises must take a comprehensive approach to BYOD, implementing MDM and MAM solutions to control personally owned devices before allowing them to access the corporate infrastructure. Without testing for vulnerabilities and patching holes hackers can use to reach corporate data, businesses will be at risk of incurring significant losses stemming from data breaches.

Training and solutions are key
Enterprises can decrease their risk of experiencing a data breach by ensuring that all employees are properly trained in the best practices of mobile device use in BYOD environments. Additionally, implementing support structures and solutions such as MDM and MAM will dramatically reduce the number of devices and applications that pose threats to corporate security.

Mobility setting the stage for major societal shifts

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Mobile devices have become widely popular among consumers, enterprises, the public sector and many other entities in recent years, especially as experts believe that smartphones and tablets might be more influential than traditional personal computing devices. Enterprises stand to gain a variety of benefits, including increased productivity and greater agility following the launch of mobility strategies.

However, as unrestricted mobile devices could pose a problem for businesses, mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions are crucial to ensure prolonged success of bring your own device (BYOD) strategies. These solutions have become more advanced than ever before, enabling the most optimal use of smartphones and tablets in the enterprise.

Mobility a game-changer
ZDNet recently explained some of the ways in which smartphones and tablets have revolutionized the enterprise landscape, as well as society at large. According to the news provider, many of the greatest benefits of smartphones and tablets are directly related to streamlined communications and collaboration that can take place almost anywhere, and at any time.

The business benefits of this component of mobility are vast, especially considering the recent rise in the number of telecommuters and other remote workers in the public and private sectors. The source explained that better communication has also led to an improved quality of life for many individuals, which is likely one of the biggest reasons that smartphone and tablet purchases continue to skyrocket.

One of the sectors most heavily impacted by mobility has been healthcare, especially when it comes to the treatment of patients. ZDNet explained that mobility strategies in healthcare have thus far been revolutionary, but have not yet even started to approach the potential uses of smartphones and tablets for better patient care.

For example, the news provider projects that one day, individuals in third-world countries who do not have access to adequate medical resources will be able to be diagnosed and treated by doctors in far-off regions, all thanks to mobile devices.

Optimizing your BYOD
Early adopters of mobility strategies are best positioned to begin innovating the ways in which policies are formulated and executed, as well as how the devices can be used. Enterprises should consider implementing MDM and MAM solutions to adequately track and refine BYOD policies in the coming years.

Many experts believe that cloud-based mobility solutions, such as MaaS360 will prevail as the most effective options, as these tools offer the flexibility and scalability necessary to sustain BYOD success.

Organizations shifting toward mobile first mentality

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Though enterprise decision makers in virtually every industry have probably heard about bring your own device (BYOD), some might not yet understand why the trend has had such a massive impact in so little time. The consumerization of IT has been cited by many experts and government officials as a transformative occurrence that will continue to spread until almost 100 percent of organizations allow personal device to be used for work.

Regardless of why businesses make the leap into BYOD, though, mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions are crucial to ensure security and productivity in these environments. Armed with the necessary solutions, enterprise decision makers will be able to capitalize on the benefits of BYOD while not creating more vulnerabilities in their corporate infrastructure.

BYOD becomes a household trend
Wired recently reported that the latest projections of several analyst firms such as Gartner and Forrester Research indicate that BYOD is already becoming commonplace in industries around the globe. For example, one Forrester study found that nearly one-third of all employees use three or more devices to work from location, and at any time.

The source added that Gartner projects mobile application development to outpace personal computer-based application development by as much as four times within the next two years. All signs point to the rapid proliferation of mobile enterprises continuing for the foreseeable future, and reaching nearly 100 percent implementation rates in the next decade or so.

According to the news provider, this massive shift toward mobile will lead to various related trends, such as the increased prevalence of customized application development among public sector organizations and enterprises. Still, Wired asserted that application procurement will not slow down, but rather become even more common.

The source stated that IT infrastructure will also become more customized in the coming years, as corporate decision-makers work to ensure that all systems are prepared for mobility.

Taking a step beyond the trend
Foresight is a crucial component of enterprise IT operations today, as technology continues to advance and proliferate more rapidly every year. One of the growing trends in corporate mobility is the use of dual persona solutions to separate business data and functions from personal device use, as this improves security and privacy protection in one fell swoop.

Fiberlink recently unveiled its MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite that allows companies to optimize their approaches to BYOD. MaaS360 continues to be a step ahead of the trends to strengthen enterprise BYOD experiences.

Foresight key for BYOD security

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

As bring your own device (BYOD) is still a relatively new trend, the best practices related to management and security continue to progress rapidly. Enterprise decision-makers need to maintain a certain level of foresight when establishing security protocols and ensure that operations are flexible enough to implement necessary changes swiftly and efficiently.

Mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions can help ensure that corporate networks and data are secure in the age of BYOD. While information governance and mobile device use policies are critical and need to be a focal point for executives, IT departments will be able to better enforce these practices with the most advanced MDM and MAM solutions in place.

Insightful BYOD forecasts
CIO Magazine recently listed several predictions related to the shifting practices of mobile device security, and asserted that executives and managers should consider these potential changes when assessing the effectiveness of policies. According to the source, Chenxi Wang, Ph.D., a Forrester Research Analyst, believes that personal devices will quickly become a common utility among enterprises.

The expert explained that organizations will likely begin to invest more in wireless services, as the usefulness of wired communication solutions has become rapidly antiquated. Companies will also need to secure these connections, as unchecked wireless networks can pose a substantial risk, as can browsers that are not protected.

The news provider added that Wang believes application management and architecture will need to be refined in the coming years, especially those that are hosted in cloud computing environments. This, she noted, will lead to a massive shift in the best practices related to mobile application procurement and development, with more companies starting to create their own stores.

"These trends paint a picture of seamless, smart-device security capabilities that are embedded in increasingly sophisticated mobile-cloud services, as well as those that are able to integrate with business models enabled by pervasive mobility," Wang stated, according to CIO Magazine.

Dual persona on the rise
One of the most rapidly trending aspects of mobile device security has been the rise of the dual persona approach, which is characterized by a separation of personal and corporate activity on each smartphone and tablet. Fiberlink recently unveiled its new MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite, which helps companies achieve dual persona to ensure employee privacy protection and corporate data security.

Enterprises should consider taking this approach, also known as containerization, when formulating BYOD policies.

Study forecasts long-term spread of BYOD

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, the popularity of bring your own device (BYOD) has continued to overcome some of the most common concerns among enterprises and experts. Now, the consumerization of IT seems to be intensifying to such a degree that no expert could make a case for its end, and that indicates that BYOD will be a common policy and corporate strategy in the coming years.

Though there is no denying the benefits that come with BYOD, a variety of risks are associated with the allowance of personal smartphones and tablets in the workplace. Some of these include productivity loss stemming from personal devices use, while others are more severe, such as network and data security issues following the loss or theft of a BYOD device.

Enterprises need to take a comprehensive approach to BYOD management by implementing the controls necessary to keep devices in check, such as mobile device management (MDM) solutions. Further, applications used on personal smartphones and tablets also represent a risk, and must be controlled through the implementation of mobile application management (MAM) solutions prior to BYOD launch.

Gartner's high hopes for BYOD
Gartner recently released the results of a new global CIO survey, which sought to discover trends in BYOD among enterprises from around the world. According to the organization, BYOD policies are already beginning to be apparent among a growing majority of enterprises in the nations surveyed, while many companies are considering a halt in providing employees with devices.

The survey revealed that 38 percent of enterprise decision-makers expect to not offer employees devices within the next two years, while David Willis, the Vice President of Gartner, explained that the benefits of BYOD span from increased staff satisfaction to reduction of operational expenditures. The research firm noted that its definition of BYOD includes personal computers and essentially all other consumer-accessible devices on the market.

Still, the expert noted that enterprises have a distance to travel to reach optimization of mobility strategies, as many BYOD policies are only in their infancies.

"However, the business case for BYOD needs to be better evaluated," Willis explained. "Most leaders do not understand the benefits, and only 22 percent believe they have made a strong business case. Like other elements of the Nexus of Forces (cloud, mobile, social and information), mobile initiatives are often exploratory and may not have a clearly defined and quantifiable goal, making IT planners uncomfortable. If you are offering BYOD, take advantage of the opportunity to show the rest of the organization the benefits it will bring to them and to the business."

Other issues that are becoming clearer are directly related to IT management, especially the responsibilities of personnel in these departments. Willis noted that IT departments have made a lot of headway in this respect, and are beginning to become more prepared for the management necessities surrounding BYOD.

Finally, the survey, titled "Bring Your Own Device: The Facts and the Future," can be accessed on Gartner's website, and offers extensive insights related to trends in enterprise mobility.

Choosing an all-in-one BYOD solution
Fiberlink has been at the forefront of the most progressive trends in BYOD for years, and recently released a new MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite to lead the way into the next generation of mobility. This all-encompassing mobility management suite provides enterprises with an opportunity to implement dual persona initiatives, separating personal and corporate uses of devices efficiently and safely.

The MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite is customizable to fit the needs of any enterprise, and offers the most consistent and reliable security capabilities for companies that have varying compliance requirements. This product is also complete with MDM, MAM and secure browsing functionalities.

Enabling successful BYOD in SMBs

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Recent reports have indicated that small and medium-sized businesses have become more vulnerable to data breaches and cyber attacks at large in recent years. This trend has been directly stimulated by a confluence of factors, such as lower investments in IT security and a widespread belief among entrepreneurs that their companies are not targets of cyber criminals.

Mobility has served yet another challenge for the average SMB owner, as personally owned smartphones and tablets represent substantial threats to corporate IT integrity. However, executives can mitigate these risks by investing in mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, especially cloud-based options that are generally more scalable and affordable.

BYOD security tips for SMBs
Dark Reading recently explained some of the best practices of mobile device security for SMB owners, asserting that bring your own device (BYOD) policies should be comprehensive and focused on IT security. SMBs have been at the forefront of new technology procurement and deployment in recent years, including cloud computing and mobility.

According to the news provider, this is not surprising, as small businesses tend to have lower budgets and need to use the most advanced - and affordable - technology on the market to continue growing. For mobile device security, many companies are beginning to create comprehensive policies that provide oversight and guidance for a variety of tools, such as smartphones, personal computers and cloud-based storage services.

The source suggested that SMB owners focus on securing the devices themselves, including USB drives, through encryption protocols and advanced software. Further, SMB owners should invest in MAM and MDM to enable more efficient monitoring of personal device use among employees, all the while enabling stronger productivity.

Dark Reading added that while policy creation has to come first, controls must be put in place to ensure that all protocols are followed and enforced in real time.

The BYOD balancing act
While security needs to be a focal point, especially for SMBs, executives and managers need to also ensure that the policies stimulate stronger productivity. SMBs should consider procuring the MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite, which helps ensure that employees are securely using their devices while maintaining privacy protections for personal data and apps.

MaaS360 is a cloud-based solution, and as such provides the scalability and affordability most SMBs demand of managed services. If you're interested in taking MaaS360 for a test drive, consider signing up for our free 30 day trial.

Dual persona, identity management trending in mobile device security practices

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The best practices of securing mobile devices continue to shift rapidly, as vulnerabilities and threats have proliferated aggressively in recent years. As more companies begin to launch bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives, corporate decision-makers need to focus on implementing the necessary controls to maintain the security and integrity of data and networks.

Though threats have expanded rapidly, so too have mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, providing enterprises with the essential tools to sustain information governance in a highly mobilized landscape. One of the biggest trends in mobile device security in the past several months has been dual persona for stronger identity management.

MDM for privacy protection, corporate security
Info Security Magazine recently reported that identity management has become one of the crucial tenets of mobile device security in recent months, as companies have been forced to find progressive methods of maintaining employee privacy protection while stringently governing device use. According to the news provider, the first step toward a successful identity management strategy is creating policies that clearly dictate what actions will be taken when vulnerabilities appear.

For example, companies should always have some form of guidance related to when and how devices will be remotely wiped, and this information should be clearly outlined and communicated to all employees at the outset of BYOD launch. The source stressed the importance of having MDM solutions in place to help managers and IT professionals enforce the policies efficiently and accurately.

Further, Info Security Magazine suggested that companies can gain an advantage by offering some form of portal with which employees can request mobile applications to download. This is a simple approach to enabling application security, and improving the lines of communication between users and IT security personnel.

The news provider added that multi-faceted authentication capabilities should be involved in the security strategy, especially for access to data that is sensitive, and critical components of infrastructure.

Dual persona for total management
Fiberlink recently released the new MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite that enables dual persona management of BYOD devices for maximum privacy protection and corporate security. Enterprises can easily implement our cloud-based solution and integrate it with existing systems for the most efficient and affordable management of BYOD strategies.

If you want to take the new MaaS360 Secure Productivity Suite for a test drive, consider signing up for our free 30 day trial today.

Consumers increase spending on tablets, smartphones

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The modern era has been shaped by rapidly proliferating consumer and enterprise technology, as more individuals and businesses continue to increase their purchases of the latest tools and solutions. The consumerization of IT has intensified as a result, forcing companies to increase their efforts to capitalize on the popularity of mobile devices.

Some analysts have cited smartphones and tablets as having the potential to be even more revolutionary than the personal computer. Businesses of all sizes must invest in mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions to ensure that personal devices positively impact profits, as opposed to representing major security threats.

BYOD keeps spreading
MSP Mentor recently reported that the latest survey from the Consumer Electronics Association found that bring your own device (BYOD) continues to become more popular among enterprises today. One of the biggest reasons for this consistent growth is the continued increase in smartphone and tablet sales among consumers who then want to use the devices for work.

According to the news provider, the Annual Household Consumer Electronic Ownership and Market Potential Study found that spending on smartphones and tablets has risen consistently in the past year. The study revealed that 35 percent of individuals, as well as 36 percent of households, have increased spending on consumer electronics since this time in 2011.

The source explained that tablet sales are currently the biggest drivers of increased consumer investments in mobile devices, and that spending on such items increased 17 percent year-over-year. Smartphones sales increased 12 percent, while wireless mobile hotspots rose by roughly 10 percent in the past year.

"For the first time in the 15 years we've conducted this survey, the top four products making headway in U.S. households are mobile devices," CEA Market Research Senior Research Analyst Kevin Tillmann explained, according to MSP Mentor. "We're seeing overall household penetration rates for smartphones and tablets at 58 percent and 39 percent respectively, and we expect they will continue to dominate the marketplace in the coming year."

Don't wait to launch BYOD
The earliest adopters of BYOD will likely be at the greatest advantage in the coming years, as more familiarity with the policies and practices of personal device use will yield stronger performances among employees. Enterprises should consider procuring the necessary MDM and MAM solutions as soon as possible to capitalize on the popularity of smartphones and tablets among employees.

Creating a comprehensible BYOD security strategy

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Bring your own device (BYOD) and other new trends in corporate IT call for a complete overhaul of security standards and practices, especially as cybercrime rates continue to rise. Enterprise decision-makers need to ensure that information governance policies are aligned with the modern challenges, and constantly assess systems for potential vulnerabilities.

To efficiently and effectively enforce information governance policies, companies need to implement mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions as soon as possible. By supplementing the implementation of MDM and MAM with adequate employee training on best practices for mobile device use, enterprises can capitalize on the advantages of BYOD while mitigating the risks.

Shoring up mobility defenses
The IDG News Service recently listed several methods companies are using to ensure stronger security following the launch of BYOD, asserting that the first and foremost issue is to assess current infrastructure for potential vulnerabilities. According to the news provider, many enterprises have struggled to make the shift from corporate-provided devices to BYOD, especially when it comes to security.

The source explained how companies evaluate long-standing security policies, prior to incorporating new structures related to BYOD into the frameworks. Integration of each procedure is crucial to ensuring a comprehensive and effective IT security plan. Protecting infrastructure from lost or stolen smartphones or tablets should be a top priority.

The IDG News Service added that companies need to be more proactive in strengthening the support structures for personal device users, including an overhaul of training for IT personnel and management. Further, metrics tools are crucial for measuring the efficacy of security procedures and the productivity gains that should come along with BYOD.

"Productivity benefits are often real, but difficult to measure," Gartner's Research Director Richard Marshall told the source. "Extended day access to company email, for example, is very difficult to assess, but can represent additional work per week for authorized staff ... The key is to define clear KPIs and track them. Companies should not expect instant results as people adapt to new processes slowly."

Security market on the rise
BizTech2 recently reported that BYOD and the increasing volume of malware is expected to bolster the market for mobile security services this year. According to the news provider, a study from ABI Research predicted that the mobile security solutions market will reach $1.88 billion by the end of this year, while corporate demand for such services will be the biggest driver of growth.

Easing the strain of mobility management

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

As enterprises continue to work to develop the most effective bring your own device (BYOD) strategies, many have struggled to walk the line between control and user-friendliness. While business executives must ensure data and networks are secured before allowing employees to use their personal devices, the policy must remain engaging enough to ensure user compliance and optimal productivity.

Each enterprise will be faced with unique challenges when developing their BYOD strategy. To make for a smooth transition into mobility, a diligent assessment of all systems to ensure risk management protocols are up to par may be in order. Mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions should be implemented as early as possible, to simplify many of the complexities facing organizations that are rolling out a BYOD program.

Step-by-step approach to BYOD
Exinda, a WAN optimization solutions provider, recently released a list of the most crucial considerations enterprise decision-makers should acknowledge when establishing a BYOD strategy. The most important component of any BYOD strategy is assessing the specific needs of the business, and incrementally fulfilling each portion in a targeted and customized fashion.

According to the organization, application management protocols should be established alongside any policies for devices, citing the use of bring your own application (BYOA) strategies as effective in capitalizing on app use. Decision-makers should also conduct comprehensive assessments for network readiness before launching a BYOD strategy, as this will defend against costly outages and a variety of security vulnerabilities.

Exinda added that all BYOD policies should be published and the content communicated to all employees consistently. Then, the best practices and protocols should be made available to users on an as-needed basis.

Cloud MDM for BYOD optimization
Though policies are the backbone of enterprise mobility management, solutions such as MDM and MAM are crucial to enforce all protocols and optimize the use of personal smartphones and tablets. MaaS360 is a scalable, effective and cloud-based mobility management suite that enables more efficient and productive BYOD in all organizations.

MaaS360 adheres to a variety of security protocols, can be easily implemented and is capable of supporting thousands of devices. If you're interested in taking our award winning solution for test drive, consider signing up for our 30 day free trial.

Preparing for future mobile devices

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The consumerization of IT continues to intensify, while manufacturers and software developers continue to create more customized products. All signs point to a growing and unstoppable shift toward more mobile devices in use in the workplace than stationary personal computers, especially the fact that the tablet market has outpaced that of laptops in recent months.

Enterprises need to take a proactive approach to mobility to capitalize on productivity benefits while mitigating the various risks associated with uninhibited employee-owned smartphones and tablets. As new products such as Google Glass and Apple's smartwatch begin to be released in the coming months, executives should move quickly to implement mobile device management (MDM) solutions.

Next step for mobile devices
Ted Schadler, writing for the Forrester blog, recently predicted that manufacturers will increasingly move away from simple smartphones and tablets, and toward more diversified, specialized products. This has already become evident in the mobile device market, with the biggest names for smartphones, such as Apple, Google and Samsung, releasing plans to develop advanced products.

Schadler purported that this trend is consistent in virtually every market, and has been throughout history, though the evolution of the mobile device market will likely be exciting and extremely competitive. Where smartwatches and other specialty devices would likely only gain a small consumer following in the long term, enterprise use of such products has led to an increased competition to make the most advanced tools specifically targeted at the corporate landscape.

The expert believes that smartphones, tablets and essentially all other computing devices will get stripped down to serve one specific purpose very well, while manufacturers will offer accessories to enable alternative uses on a case-by-case basis. This, Schadler noted, will also likely make devices more affordable and, thus, more accessible to the common consumer or small business.

Control is always necessary
Treading into uncharted territory can be dangerous for enterprises, especially when approaching new trends from a risk-management perspective. Today's mobile devices vary far more than in years past. They also carry far more potential for disaster than just a few years ago. MDM and other management tools can help companies implement bring your own device (BYOD) safely and securely.

Experts believe that the cloud computing and mobility markets are becoming increasingly converged, as the former enables more successful use of the latter. Decision-makers should consider implementing MaaS360 for MDM and MAM needs, as our cloud-based mobility management solutions can ensure total control of devices, while driving productivity.

Mobility security a must in BYOD environments

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The consumerization of IT has been one of the most widespread and influential trends in corporate technology in recent years, as more smartphones and tablets are being released that cater to the needs of the average employee. However, personal devices do post significant security risks, such as sensitive data falling into the wrong hands in the event of a theft or loss.

Enterprises must implement proper controls to ensure remote wipe, efficient monitoring and data protection capabilities are in place. Mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions are among the most effective and affordable methods of improving smartphone and tablet security for overall enterprise IT integrity.

Two opportunities, two potential threats
CloudTweaks recently reported that mobile devices are currently viewed as crucial enterprise tools, as more employees believe that smartphones and tablets bolster productivity. Additionally, the news provider stated that the convergence of cloud computing and mobility has been obvious, though the security risks of each have also become more interrelated.

Cloud computing offers a variety of benefits to businesses, including decreased IT expenditures and increased accessibility to new technology, while many enterprise mobility strategies have leveraged the services for smoother implementation. According to the source, a recent survey revealed that 78 percent of IT professionals believe that the "bring your own device" (BYOD) approach is the biggest security threat.

The novelty and relatively rapid spread of mobility and cloud computing have caused a variety of fears among executives and IT personnel alike. CloudTweaks noted that the biggest problem is likely a lack of effective information governance policies, especially those that are data and network security-centric.

By incorporating BYOD into existing security frameworks and supporting governance policies with MDM and MAM tools, companies can better manage the use of personal devices.

Security staffing issues
A recent study released by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)2, revealed that IT security professionals are in high demand, while many companies are failing to find adequate talent to shore up defenses for a variety of new technology trends, including mobility. According to the organization, the researchers found that workforce shortages have persisted in recent months, which has given rise to widespread BYOD security concerns.

However, many experts assert that in-house training of existing IT personnel, as well as the implementation of progressive MDM and MAM solutions, can enable more secure use of personal devices in office environments without the need for additional staffing.

CIOs taking progressive steps toward optimized BYOD

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Mobile devices continue to increase in popularity, and many companies are beginning to leverage bring your own device (BYOD) to drive more sustainable and productive operations. Many experts have cited the modern smartphone as one of the most progressive corporate tools created in the past several decades, and enterprises stand to gain a variety of benefits from launching mobility strategies.

Regardless of whether a company is allowing handling telecommuters or enabling the use of personal smartphones and tablets in the office, mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions are essential for support and security. With these tools, companies can ensure that all users enjoy the productivity-driving benefits of BYOD, while avoiding the various risks.

Going a step further
CIO recently reported that many executives are beginning to move away from the simplistic and relatively antiquated approach to mobility and toward a more progressive strategy. According to the news provider, CIOs are widely looking to capitalize on the power of BYOD smartphones and tablets by shifting operational processes to be more aligned with mobile devices.

According to the news provider, the "mobile first" mindset of many executives is beginning to lose steam while CIOs suggest their companies are taking steps to become "mobile only." This shift can be characterized as a move from the traditional method of implementing BYOD toward comprehensive use of smartphones for all operations.

"The explosion of smartphone and tablet adoption in the consumer world cannot be denied," Mike Brinker and Shehryar Khan of Deloitte explained, according to CIO. "And enterprises have taken note. Mobile initiatives have popped up in almost every corner of the business - looking to un-tether the workforce, engage customers more effectively and reshape business-as-usual. CIOs are scrambling to deal with the outcry: to imagine, build, deploy and promote applications."

Optimized mobility implementation
Enterprises should consider using a cloud-based enterprise mobility management suite to ensure the successful execution on BYOD implementation. MaaS360 offers the flexibility, security and scalability necessary to support a wide range of devices and application, driving productivity and management efficiency.

We welcome you to take MaaS360 for a test drive in your enterprise by signing up for a free 30 day trial today.

Going all in for BYOD efficacy

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The consumerization of IT continues to intensify, forcing many businesses to begin to sculpt bring your own device (BYOD) strategies and implement the necessary management solutions. Many companies have taken a half-hearted approach to mobility, which leads to several issues, including a lack of security and poor productivity.

Enterprise decision-makers need to ensure that all devices are protected and supported to reach an optimal mobility strategy, while this can be accomplished through the use of mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions. With these tools in place, IT departments will be able to maximize the benefits of BYOD while mitigating the risks for the business.

Taking a comprehensive approach to BYOD
InformationWeek recently reported that BYOD plans need to cover all potential vulnerabilities, best practices and management strategies to be truly effective. According to the news provider, companies are beginning to take a mobile-first approach to strategizing, rather than simply implementing smaller components to enable the use of personal smartphones and tablets.

Without the monitoring capabilities and other controls in place according to the specific business needs, executives will have no way of telling how secure data and networks are, nor how well the strategy is performing. The source explained that corporate decision-makers are increasingly looking to application development and procurement as the crux of their BYOD plans.

However, InformationWeek explained that simple application development or procurement plans can't be the only BYOD plans in place, as devices need to be managed and the programs in place must be cohesive to bolster productivity gains. The source explained that too many companies offer a variety of apps that have no relationship to one another, or are redundant, and not managing them properly following implementation.

With MAM solution, companies can form a stronger application and BYOD management strategy, and ensure that employees follow all protocols.

Market poised for growth
MarketsandMarkets recently reported that the markets related to BYOD and other mobility trends will increase substantially in the coming years. According to the BYOD Market, Consumerization of IT and Enterprise Mobility Market - Global Advancements, Business Model, Market Forecasts and Analysis (2012-2017) report, revenues in the associated industries will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 15.17 percent in the next four years.

The organization asserted that the market for solutions related to mobility and BYOD will increase to $181.39 billion by 2017.

MAM crucial for privacy protection

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

While mobile device management (MDM) solutions have experienced more widespread adoption rates in recent years, many enterprises have yet to manage the totality of bring your own device (BYOD) through mobile application management (MAM) tools. However, experts believe these two markets are becoming increasingly converged, as decision-makers recognize the importance of controlling the applications in use among employees.

Regardless of whether an organization offers an enterprise application suite employees can use to choose their apps, or allows staff members to seek out their own options, these programs need to be monitored and controlled for optimal security and productivity. Some of the biggest IT security threats facing enterprises and public sector entities today are related to the downloading of incendiary apps, though this can be mitigated through MAM solutions.

Privacy of apps a BYOD concern
PC World recently reported that privacy concerns have become widespread among government officials, enterprise executives and advocacy groups alike in the past several years. Many of these concerns stem from the proliferation and rapid implementation of trends or strategies such as BYOD and big data, though all can be managed through adherence to the best practices of software development and management.

According to the news provider, mobile apps are beginning to request and use a wider variety of personal information than ever before, including the now-common geo-tagging functions of many programs. Apps will also collect information from contact lists and a variety of other resources that offer data, which can pose a serious privacy concern, not to mention corporate risks.

The source explained that several advocacy groups have raised questions related to the legality of such information collection and use from applications. Apps that share content with other sources can be especially damaging, and must be controlled to maintain the integrity of employee privacy and corporate information.

PC World added that the Federal Trade Commission has yet to issue comprehensive guidelines related to application development privacy protections, despite the fact that it is the main entity in charge of maintaining consumer rights.

Enterprises should be proactive
While government entities and software developers continue to fight over privacy protection rights, enterprise decision-makers should take a proactive approach to the cause. By implementing MAM, IT managers and executives can better monitor and control the apps in use among employees, strengthening the security of corporate data and mitigating variety of privacy protection risks.

The advantage of straightforward BYOD policies

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Many enterprises have taken a proactive and comprehensive approach to mobility, establishing strong policies and implementing the control necessary to capitalize on increased productivity and lower operational expenditures. However, many experts believe that bring your own device (BYOD) strategies need to be as simple as possible, and align with core corporate goals for optimal success.

Mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions are among the best tools to maintain simplicity and efficacy in BYOD strategies. With these solutions, enterprises can enable more efficient management of all supported smartphones and tablets, while keeping the policies themselves as simple and straightforward as possible.

Strong BYOD components
IT News Africa recently reported that security needs to be a focal point when establishing BYOD policies and allowing employees to use their smartphones and tablets to access corporate infrastructure and data. Additionally, the source asserted that simplicity is crucial to maintain agility with mobile strategies, especially as the market continues to evolve.

According to the news provider, flexibility on behalf of businesses will lead to the most engaging experience for employees, which in turn translates to closer adherence to policies and higher productivity. When policies become extraneous, convoluted or even slightly too complex, employees will be less likely to understand the content and might begin to either accidentally or purposefully violate certain protocols.

IT News Africa suggested that all companies should consider including certain components in a BYOD policy, including eligibility requirements, which devices and apps are allowed, the legal implications and financial responsibilities of the business and user. By covering all of these points and assessing each system for potential vulnerabilities, BYOD policies can remain simple and secure.

Finally, the source added that the IT team should be given the tools necessary to secure networks and data while supporting smartphones and tablets. This can be accomplished through the implementation of MDM and MAM solutions, such as MaaS360.

Agility a necessity
Help Net Security recently reported that several new studies indicate that businesses need to remain as flexible and user-friendly as possible when implementing BYOD strategies. According to the news provider, striking a balance between employee-preference and corporate control is not always easy, but much be achieved to optimize the environment for smartphone and tablet users.

The source suggested corporate executives take a workflow-management approach to BYOD, looking for ways to strategically align mobility with the goals and missions of the business.

Taking a user-centric approach to BYOD

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Enterprises continue to try to optimize the management of mobile devices to enjoy the variety of benefits that come with bring your own device (BYOD). However, many companies have taken a half-hearted approach to the trend, simply allowing employees to use their devices for work functions without implementing the proper controls.

Mobile device management (MDM) solutions can simplify the optimization process through streamlined governance and monitoring capabilities. With strong and customized information governance policies, supported by MDM and mobile application management (MAM) solutions, enterprises can overhaul their mobility strategies for higher productivity and improved corporate agility.

Optimizing mobile productivity
CompTIA recently released a study that revealed that enterprises need to do a better job of walking the line between control and user-friendliness, as many firms will lean too far in one direction. According to the report, while focusing on managing all devices is crucial, decision-makers need to be more involved in the assessments of employee needs, and what business processes should be adjusted to boost productivity.

The firm explained that the second annual Trends in Enterprise Mobility report indicated that more companies are failing to focus on workforce needs this year than last. Additionally, the MDM and MAM markets continue to converge, especially as more managers identify the need for application management that comes with enabling BYOD.

"Rather than focus on the device level, companies will need to assess the specific needs of their workforce and match the device," Seth Robinson, Technology Analysis Director at CompTIA, explained. "For maximum benefit, workflow changes will need to be considered prior to evaluating workforce needs. But this is not a trivial matter and companies will need to weigh the cost of operational disruption and change management against the potential advantages."

Finally, the organization asserted that decision-makers should clearly outline whether internal personnel or the BYOD participants are responsible for the devices, operating systems and access points.

Ensuring a smooth deployment
Channelnomics recently listed several tips for enterprises to consider when establishing a BYOD implementation plan. According to the news provider, businesses should always have a bring your own application (BYOA) strategy in place that is aligned with BYOD strategies, and perform corporate readiness assessments to ensure that the infrastructure is prepared for mobile device use.

Further, any agreements with solutions providers should be adjusted to ensure that BYOD is covered, the source noted, while expense policies should be published and made available to all employees.

Riding the rising mobility wave

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Enterprise mobility continues to be one of the highest priorities of corporate executives and public sector officials today, especially as bring your own device (BYOD) offers a variety of advantages. New reports indicate that BYOD and mobility at large will not slow in the coming years, but rather intensify until nearly every business and public sector department has the associated strategies and support structures in place.

Mobile device management (MDM) implementation is crucial for streamlined and secure BYOD initiatives, as the incorporation of diverse smartphones and tablets into IT strategies can be impossible without these solutions. Enterprises and public sector organizations can excel in the mobility game by procuring and deploying MDM solutions, as well as mobile application management (MAM) tools.

Playing catch-up
As many companies viewed the consumerization of IT as a disruptive and tertiary trend from the outset, a wide range of organizations are now in the process of catching up to corporations that more proactively approached BYOD. ITWeb recently suggested several methods of creating strong information governance policies and cultivating the most optimized mobility experience for employees.

The source explained that the biggest concerns among CIOs have been related to managing employee-owned devices and securing corporate infrastructure and information efficiently. However, solutions such as MaaS360, which is a cloud-based, enterprise mobility suite, can streamline the management and support process while keeping all information secure, all for a relatively low cost.

ITWeb also announced that it would be holding a summit for CIOs and other enterprise executives in South Africa to discuss some of the challenges of mobility implementation. One of the speakers, Dr. Brian Armstrong, of a South African telecommunications provider, will discuss the need for convergence.

"There is a misconception that convergence is a small area of telecommunications," Armstrong told ITWeb. "It is much bigger than that, he notes - convergence is happening across all areas of IT, throughout the enterprise. We are seeing platforms combining, fixed and mobile combining with the cloud, and the [alignment] of services. There is no turning back from this."

Advantages of cloud-based MDM
As many experts continue to predict an increasingly converged IT services market in the coming years, enterprises can benefit from using cloud-based MDM for all mobility needs. The cloud offers the flexibility, cost-efficacy and accessibility necessary to support a wide range of devices. If you want to take a test drive with the cloud-based MaaS360, click here to start your free trial.

BYOD security, management predictions for 2013

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The bring your own device (BYOD) trend has largely focused on smartphones and tablets thus far, as these mobile devices are among the newest types of technology to be used in the corporate landscape. While mobile device management (MDM) solutions are likely most commonly used to control and secure smartphones and tablets, companies need to make sure that they manage personal laptop computers as well.

Telecommuting is an increasingly popular trend in the United States and abroad, and enterprises need to ensure that all devices being used by employees, regardless of location, are managed properly. MDM and mobile application management (MAM) solutions can ensure total coverage for all personal devices, as well as laptops, smartphones and tablets issued by the company and used offsite.

Forrester makes new prediction
The IDG News Service recently cited predictions from research giant Forrester that suggests the common methods of managing smartphones, tablets and laptops in the enterprise will begin shifting in the coming years to become more streamlined. Forrester analysts believe that the virtualization of mobile devices will become a more popular management strategy, as this provides users with on-demand access to networks and data.

Experts have long explained that the strongest mobility strategies will be those that walk the line between usability and security, as moving too far in either direction could quickly lead to significant productivity issues. The source asserted that mobile virtualization helps companies achieve a seamless approach that provides policy-based controls with respect to corporate apps.

Granted that apps are the most common method of storing and transferring data, mobile application management (MAM) has become more important than ever before, especially for security. Though lost and stolen devices continue to represent the greatest security threats, downloading and using unsanctioned or unsecured software can lead to other issues and create vulnerabilities in corporate IT infrastructure.

BYOD security forecast
Reporter Link recently released a new study that predicts several trends in mobile security for the next five years. According to the firm, the international mobile security market will be worth roughly $3.5 billion by the end of this year, while investments will continue to pour into privacy and network protections to ensure the integrity of corporate infrastructure following the implementation of BYOD.

Businesses that take a proactive and comprehensive approach to BYOD security will often be most successful, and can achieve optimal protections through the use of MDM and MAM.

Tablets outpacing PCs in the enterprise

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

As the consumerization of IT continues to intensify, enterprise decision-makers are being tasked with finding effective methods of managing a wider variety of devices than ever before. The smartphone has become increasingly ubiquitous in the enterprise landscape, while tablets are beginning to experience higher adoption rates among employees as well.

Mobile device management (MDM) solutions are an essential means of ensuring the support and security of all employee-owned smartphones and tablets in the enterprise. As manufacturers continue to roll out more advanced enterprise-ready devices, MDM can ensure total management of all smartphones and tablets as they enter the workspace.

Tablets become a necessity
Forrester analyst JP Gownder recently blogged about the impact tablets are having on enterprises around the world, asserting that these devices are among the most progressive productivity drivers available today. According to the expert, tablets have radically refined the way in which employees carry out their responsibilities today, and as such, should be incorporated into corporate strategies.

The portability of tablets is the single most influential characteristic when it comes to the device's ability to improve productivity and employee engagement. Forrester conducted a survey of IT professionals to discover why enterprises are increasingly supporting tablets, and whether this trend will continue to grow with the same level of intensity in the coming years.

The Forrsights Hardware Survey revealed that 62 percent of IT professionals believe that their enterprises choose to support tablets because of their portability. The study also found that tablets are used more often than PCs when doing work in a different room at work, as well as client sites.

In fact, IT professionals are only using PCs more often than tablets, such as those powered by Android, when working at their desks, Gownder noted. IT professionals who responded to the survey said they use their tablet more often than PCs when conducting business functions in virtually every other location, such as homes, coffee shops and alternative work locations.

The rise of Android-powered tablets
Network World recently reported that while Apple's iPad had long been the most popular tablet on the market, Android-powered devices are beginning to take up higher market shares. According to the news provider, the iPad remains in the highest demand, though Android-powered tablets are becoming more popular specifically for enterprise operations.

Businesses should consider implementing MaaS360 for mobility management, as this solution can support a wide variety of devices, including the popular iPad and new Android-powered tablets.

Measuring the future expansion of mobility

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, bring your own device (BYOD) has been one of the most widespread and revolutionary trends in enterprise IT. By allowing employees to use personal smartphones and tablets at work, businesses can improve engagement, productivity and cost-efficiency. However, many enterprises fail to implement the proper controls and support structures for an optimal and secure BYOD strategy.

The typical worker will use their personal device to access corporate networks and data regardless of whether their firms have a policy in place, which can cause serious security issues. However, with strong information governance policies and implementation of mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) tools, companies can enjoy the most benefits of BYOD.

Enterprise mobility on the rise
TabTimes recently reported that a new study from the National Association of Software and Services Companies projects the enterprise mobility market to continue to grow steadily through the next seven years. According to the news provider, researchers from Nasscom believe that market revenues will increase at a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent through 2020, with enterprises beginning to account for more of the sales than before.

The source explained that this would bring the market's annual revenues to $140 billion in the next seven years, while enterprises are expected to allocate roughly 10 to 12 percent of IT budgets to BYOD projects. Thus far, much of the market growth has been fueled by the new purchases of devices on behalf of employees, while companies have been able to reduce expenditures related to smartphone and tablet procurements.

However, Nasscom projects that more enterprise decision-makers will realize the importance of refining all networks and infrastructure to properly support the use of diverse mobile devices, the news provider explained. Finally, TabTimes noted that specific areas crucial to overall market growth include application development and integration solutions.

Public sector on board with BYOD
Government Technology Magazine recently reported that the organizations in the U.S. public sector and abroad have been launching BYOD strategies in recent years. According to the source, officials believe that mobility will come with a variety of benefits regarding both internal operations and citizen involvement.

By enabling the use of personal devices with MDM and MAM solutions, and ensuring the integrity of information governance policies, enterprises and public sector entities can enjoy the benefits of BYOD while avoiding the risks.

Telecommuting, BYOD continue to improve operations

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Telecommuting and enterprise mobility continue to positively influence contemporary corporate strategies by reducing costs and yielding higher productivity among employees. However, enterprises cannot simply allow the use of personal devices in the office or remotely without having the proper information governance policies in place.

Businesses that seek to ensure the most efficient, productive and secure use of mobility among telecommuters and bring your own device (BYOD) participants will need to implement mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions. These tools help monitor, support and secure all smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

Telecommuting advantages
Business 2 Community recently reported that a variety of studies indicate that telecommuting is a viable and increasingly essential component of corporate strategies. Researchers have found that allowing employees to work from home can boost engagement, and might even be an important part of potential staff members' decisions when applying with the firm.

According to the news provider, the average worker in the United States can save roughly 1.5 hours every day from not commuting, which translates to substantial productivity gains. The source cited a study that found roughly 2,000 hours could be saved by allowing 2,5000 employees to work remotely for only one day. The researchers stated that an estimated 1,040 of the 2,000 additional hours provided were used to do extra work.

Other studies remain consistent when it comes to telecommuting advantages, such as one that found that 86 percent of remote workers believe they are more productive at home than in the workplace. Business 2 Community added that other research indicates that employees who can telecommute are more likely to work extra hours than those who cannot work outside the office.

Finally, the news provider added that employers will need to implement the right tools to ensure that remote workers remain supported, efficient and productive. For example, the source noted one study that found that 87 percent of employees believe that software used to enable collaboration from remote locations is critical.

MDM for telecommuters
Enterprises can use the same MDM suites for remote workers as they do for internal BYOD participants, especially when leveraging cloud-based solutions. MaaS360 is one such cloud MDM solution that helps ensure the secure, cost-effective and productive use of mobile devices, regardless of a given employee's location.

Coupled with strong BYOD and information governance policies, MDM solutions will enable the most optimal telecommuting processes in the enterprise.

The vast benefits of MAM for BYOD optimization

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Enterprises that have taken a proactive approach to mobility have been widely successful in recent years, especially as the implementation and management of bring your own device (BYOD) enables stronger productivity and engagement among employees. While devices continue to proliferate rapidly, nothing can compare to the speed with which application development is traveling.

To ensure total control and security in BYOD environments, businesses must implement mobile application management (MAM) solutions, as these tools will assist IT departments in the process of enforcing information governance policies. Coupled with mobile device management (MDM), MAM can improve the efficacy and returns on investment related to BYOD.

Value of app stores
While some companies will simply allow employees to choose which applications to download, this approach could lead to a variety of issues related to security and productivity. A recent eWEEK article explained that some of the most successful BYOD strategies are fueled by the creation and management of enterprise app stores, which will provide employees with choices and negate the chances of downloading incendiary applications.

According to the news provider, enterprise app stores are beginning to become much more widespread, as more enterprises are partaking in mobile application development. Using cloud solutions such as Platform-as-a-Service to develop and deploy new applications often leads to the most customized and effective software in use among employees.

The source asserted that the use of enterprise app stores greatly improves security and control over employees' use of their personal devices. Additionally, this can save employees and employers money, as packaged purchases for apps are often much less expensive than single licenses.

Finally, eWEEK noted that MAM and MDM solutions will need to be implemented to enforce any policies related to the procurement of new apps, and use of those provided by the enterprise.

Social benefits of apps
Computerworld recently reported that mobile applications are rapidly becoming the preferred choice to improve collaboration and communication among employees, as well as customer relations. According to the source, enterprises can incorporate social media tools and websites into a variety of processes, such as customer relationship and supply chain management, through the use of customized apps.

The news provider explained that this will often lead to the highest returns on investment, and businesses will be provided with better access to actionable insights derived from the apps in place in the various corporate processes. Computerworld added that any opportunity to make better use of customer-related data should be taken, and social apps are an excellent choice to do so.

Overcoming application challenges with MAM

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Many corporate executives have cited enterprise mobility as their biggest priority for the coming year, especially as more decision makers begin to understand that work must be put in to create a strong bring your own device (BYOD) strategy. The most effective initiatives will be customized to fit the specific needs of each enterprise, and incorporated into the overall business strategy.

Enterprises will need to structure information governance policies that can be applied to the use of personal smartphones and tablets, then back these protocols with mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM) solutions. Following implementation of enterprise mobility management solutions, companies will be able to overcome a variety of challenges and enjoy the benefits of BYOD.

Easing MAM complexities
Wired recently explained some of the most common challenges companies have to overcome when beginning the process of rolling out a BYOD strategy, asserting that the most widespread issues are often related to application development, deployment and management. According to the news provider, Platform-as-a-Service has started to take off, as more enterprises intend to create their own applications and need the tools to do so.

First, companies will need to ensure multi-tenancy for all apps, as this will allow all users to access the systems from virtually any location. The source explained that this process must be completed from the back-end systems to keep data segregated properly, and manage accessibility for the various users who might have different security rights. Strong authentication protocols will improve the security of apps and data regardless of where they might rest.

Wired stressed the importance of creating an application programming interface (API) that can be tracked accurately and efficiently. Without such structures in place, the process of tracking requests and measuring performance might be impossible, putting the overall corporate infrastructure at risk of poor resource management.

The news provider stated that the back-end services that host and deliver applications will need to be highly scalable, as many companies go from one corporate-sanctioned application to many in a relatively rapid fashion. Security and manageability were also cited as crucial components of application development and management.

Finally, the source stressed the importance of reliable and outage-proofed application access, as mobile users are often more inclined to seek out their own options when apps are not easy to work with.

Rounding out MAM for optimal performance
Business 2 Community recently listed several ways in which companies can better structure application management in a way that directly boosts the efficacy of an enterprise mobility strategy. While MDM solutions have experienced widespread adoption rates in recent years, the MAM market has yet to reach higher implementation figures. However, application management is just as crucial to ensure optimal BYOD performance.

According to the source, one study found that 82 percent of businesses in North America have developed at least one mobile application, while Gartner projects this figure to rise substantially in the coming year. The news provider suggested that companies work to develop apps that are simultaneously customer- and employee-friendly.

Further, Business 2 Community asserted that mobile strategies cannot be half-hearted, or curtailed for the sake of budgets. Rather, executives will find that higher financial investments put into mobility management will yield stronger returns, as employees and customers will be more engaged with a well-planned and executed strategy.

Enterprise decision-makers can use cloud-based MAM solutions, such as MaaS360, to ensure the most efficient and effective application management process. MaaS360 offers the scalability, manageability and security necessary for organizations in virtually any industry. If you want to take a test drive with MaaS360 for MAM and MDM, try our free 30-day trial.