Why Your Small Business Needs Mobile Device Management
Remote work and mobile devices are the future, but they bring unique security challenges that many small businesses aren’t prepared for. As employees work from various locations, keeping company data safe has become more complex than ever. That’s where Mobile Device Management (MDM) comes in.
As an IT professional working with small businesses, I've witnessed firsthand how the rise of remote work and mobile devices has transformed how companies operate. While this flexibility has boosted productivity, it's also created new security challenges, particularly around user onboarding, off-boarding, and device management. With users no longer spending most of their time in the office connected to the corporate network, setting up devices and managing their configurations requires a more flexible approach—one that isn't dependent on company servers and the corporate network. This is where Mobile Device Management (MDM) can help.
Mobile Device Management is a software solution that allows businesses to monitor, manage, and secure employees' mobile devices (like smartphones, tablets, and laptops) from a central location. Think of it as a control center for all your company's devices, whether they're company-issued or part of a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) program. These systems are almost exclusively cloud-based and can now replace most, if not all, of the device configuration and management functionality once performed exclusively by big servers that sat in the office network closet.
Last year, one of our clients misplaced one of their laptops. Without MDM, this could have been a data security nightmare. However, because we had MDM in place, we were able to remotely locate the device and initiate a remote lock.
Some of the advantages MDM offers are overall enhanced security and cost savings. Security is improved by providing the ability to remotely locate and/or wipe the devices. Cost savings come from the ability to streamline device deployment, initial setup, and reassignments. Overall management is also simplified because so much can be done from one central management console.
Many small business owners don't intuitively understand the value of an MDM solution. They sometimes think they're too small or it's just way more than they need. The numbers, however, tell a different story. Especially considering that according to a study by Kaspersky in 2023, the average cost of a data breach for small businesses is $108,000. One incident could be catastrophic for a small company.
Furthermore, with remote work becoming the norm, your company data is increasingly scattered across various devices and locations. MDM provides additional control and protection for your devices and more importantly, the data they contain.
In today's post-pandemic, hybrid, remote-first workplaces, MDM isn't just an IT luxury—it's a business essential. It provides the security, control, and efficiency that small businesses need to thrive while protecting their valuable data assets.
As someone who helps businesses navigate these challenges daily, I can't stress enough how crucial proper device management is. The question isn't whether you need MDM, but rather how quickly you can implement it to protect your business.
Considering the cost of implementing MDM is far less than the potential cost of a security breach or data loss incident. In the modern business landscape, implementing MDM for your business is not just about being competitive—it's about being secure.
If you need help deciding if MDM is a fit for you, or if you already have MDM and want to make sure you're getting the most out of it, let us know we are always happy to chat. If you have any questions or just want to chat about technology please reach out to us on LinkedIn or email us at solutions@invizio.com.