Choosing a UEM Solution on the Path to Zero-Trust Security
Today’s mobile and cloud computing technologies are making the ”work-from-anywhere” workplace model possible. These technologies empower users to be more productive, on any device, regardless of where they are working. With so many users, operating systems, applications, cloud, and endpoint devices to choose from, today’s workers expect instant access to the resources they need, and they don’t want to go through a variety of security obstacles just to make it happen.
The Work-From-Anywhere Model Meets the Zero-Trust Model
The ”Work-From-Anywhere” workplace makes business operations more scalable and flexible, and it means data will flow more freely within and outside of today’s perimeter less workforce. In today’s digital workforce, every user, network, device, application, and cloud service can potentially be compromised in the blink of an eye. This is why it is critical to establish trust in a zero-trust world. While a zero-trust model suggests that there are attackers within and outside a network and that no users or devices should be trusted by default, this should be even more motivation to do it right.
With the ever-evolving threat of cyber threats and attacks, it has become more important than ever for users to be informed on possible risks and remediation. Building a zero-trust security workforce in Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk requires a mindset shift and a more involved approach to security. However, as with nearly everything else in security, establishing an underlying process is one of the most important steps. Businesses need to securely access and manage their critical data on any endpoint device.
Today’s digital workplace includes a variety of endpoints, such as Windows, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, and macOS devices. The need for privacy and compliance management and risk minimization entails the need to separate and protect workplace applications from the personal applications of their users’ endpoint devices. This has increased the need for secure unified endpoint management (UEM) solutions that also deliver a seamless user experience.
What Is Unified Endpoint Management?
Unified endpoint management is defined by Gartner as: “a tool that provides agent and agentless management of computers and mobile devices through a single console.”
Unified endpoint management (UEM) plays a vital role in helping businesses make the transition from traditional enterprise security by ensuring there is a zero-trust environment where users can feel comfortable with today’s endpoints, desktops, applications, and cloud services. Unified endpoint management enables businesses to set the stage for a user-centric, mobile-centric, zero-trust workplace that leverages a trust model and a framework to effectively determine whether to provide access to workplace data.
The objective is to ensure users remain productive and satisfied using their devices, regardless of where they work, while providing your business with the level of protection it needs from the ever-growing threats. UEM solutions have been built for flexibility. Some of the abilities of UEM solutions include:
- Configuring, managing, and monitoring Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices.
- Consolidating device compliance, management profiles, and data protection.
- Providing a comprehensive view of multi-device users
- Orchestrating endpoint technology activities
How Can You Choose the Right UEM Solution?
One of the most frequently asked questions about unified endpoint management is how to find a UEM solution that can meet the unique needs of a business. While UEM solutions of major vendors have several aspects in common, no two UEM vendors are the same. It is important for your business to do its homework when evaluating UEM solutions. When evaluating UEM solutions, make certain that you pay attention to the following key factors:
Operating System and Platform Support
Do you remember what mobile devices looked like 10 years ago? Some of those brands no longer exist. 10 years from now, mobile technology will look incredibly different, especially as IoT (Internet of Things) devices continue to multiply. Instead of trying to guess which platforms will still be around in today’s competitive market, it will be easier to adopt a UEM solution that will allow your users to choose the devices that can support their productivity. There will be no need to worry about which endpoints your business can use because the UEM vendor will be able to manage every device.
The Ability to Grow Alongside Your Business
Cloud computing has emerged as a dominant workplace computing model. To effectively support a cloud computing model, it’s critical to find a UEM vendor that provides resources that can grow with your business as it evolves. This means finding a UEM solution that has the ability to manage modern operating systems and enable substantial scalability. A UEM solution that is implemented as only an add-on or becomes just another component in your existing infrastructure may not be enough to meet the unique requirements of your growing business.
Partnerships With Other Providers and Vendors
Not only is it crucial to choose a UEM vendor that has a strong understanding of what businesses need, but the UEM vendor should also have a diverse network of IT solution providers. A UEM provider that establishes a diverse partner ecosystem will ensure your business has access to an extensive range of technology and IT solutions to meet current and future business needs and requirements.
Support for Different Deployments
One of the factors you will need to take into consideration is the UEM vendor’s deployment options. Businesses not only have different devices, but they also have different data protection requirements for those devices. One business may choose to store their data in-house and another business may choose to store their data in the cloud. While there are other businesses that utilize both on-premise and cloud data storage solutions. Find a UEM Vendor that offers a variety of deployment options.
Track Record
Reviewing the UEM vendor’s track record will give you insight into the vendor’s ability to provide a UEM solution that can fulfill the needs of your business. The UEM vendor you choose should not only have a diverse customer base, but it should have reviews, testimonials, etc. When you research multiple UEM vendors, you will want to find a vendor that has the experience and credibility you want a vendor to have, especially since this solution will be necessary for you to fulfill your business’s mobility goals.
How Can HRCT Help?
Enterprise mobility is about more than implementing the latest mobile devices or storing data on an employee’s device. It is about the transformation of your business as it transitions to a more mobile-centric, zero-trust model. We understand that any mobility initiative can seem like a daunting task, especially if it is uncharted territory, but the right UEM solution can help your business become a modern mobile workplace.
With the growth of IoT devices, internal and external threats will continue to increase and become more advanced and sophisticated. Thus, businesses must choose a unified endpoint management solution that is designed to combat cybersecurity threats. Rather than struggle to keep up, allow HRCT to help you seamlessly navigate this shift so you will be ready for what’s happening now and what will happen in the future. Call us today at (757) 399-3350 or (800) 319-1878, or book a meeting with one of our specialists.
