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How to Create a Mobile Device Management Policy
The typical office layout has been drastically replaced by remote and hybrid working practices. Mobile Device Management, also known as MDM, has grown to be a much higher priority for organizations as a result of the fact that employees now require access to corporate systems from a variety of devices and places. Organizations must develop a mobile device management policy for workers to abide by in order to address the security dangers and privacy concerns related to scattered work on mobile devices.
What is a Mobile Device Management Policy?
A Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy is a set of rules that establish how employees can and should securely use mobile devices. A mobile device management policy covers securing data in laptops, smartphones (either iOS or Android), tablets, and portable media devices.
Personnel who access firm data may do so as employees, independent contractors, full-time workers, or other staff members. Productivity, inventory, security, and compliance-related clauses are among the main components of MDM policies.
When working with contractors often, it’s crucial to establish a solid mobile device management strategy, have regular training sessions, and employ non-disclosure agreements (NDA) when appropriate to safeguard sensitive company information. Examining a sample mobile device management policy and the advantages of MDM policies will help.
Mobile Device Management Policy Template
A mobile device management policy template should include the following sections:
- Purpose: Define the scope of the policy, including applicable devices and the intended audience.
- Definitions: Provide simple definitions for any technical terms within the document which may be unfamiliar to the employee.
- Responsibilities: Define the mobile device management responsibilities of both the employer and employee.
- Acceptable Use: Outline the specific usage rules for all company hardware and software.
- Organizational Protocols: Share details of how compliance with the policy will be tracked, and the consequences for non-compliance.
A statement of conformity for both the employee and employer to sign should be included at the conclusion of your mobile device management policy template. Best practices for risk management and information on the support services offered by the business for device-related problems are also included in certain MDM policy templates.
4 Benefits of a Mobile Device Management Policy
- Better Management of Devices
Companies may need to put in place a number of device policies, including Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Company Owned Business Only (COBO), or Company Owned/Personally Enabled (COPE) (COPE). Whatever strategy you choose, all businesses should evaluate the dangers associated with staff devices in order to set up effective rules and controls.
Updates to security settings, firmware, and application security are a few crucial tasks that businesses must complete. The remote control of mobile devices gives administrators the ability to manage users who have left the company, for example, or quarantine, deactivate, or restrict access.
- Helps Companies Embrace a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Policy
Sometimes hiring people from a distance is necessary for remote work, highlighting the need of having one’s own gadgets. Furthermore, 67% of workers claim to use personal gadgets at work. Even while BYOD boosts efficiency and lowers costs, you’ll need to establish a strong strategy to address the hazards brought on by personal devices. Policies for BYOD are crucial for protecting against mobile viruses and data loss.
3. Secure Data and Applications
A mobile device management policy guarantees that systems receive regular patches to close security holes. The function of an MDM policy is to manage updates from a single location in order to improve security and follow legal requirements.
Similar to this, apps have a risk component that calls for controls. Your policy should address app settings, app usage, and banned applications. Additionally, role-based permissions must be developed in order to better segregate management and improve security.
- Enhances Productivity and Efficiency
A mobile device management strategy also addresses automated device management with settings that save your company time and money. Basically, you may update several devices safely at once, which speeds up the process and reduces the possibility of human error.
Automatic updates that are timely mean fewer interruptions to a working day. Additionally, because employees are no longer obliged to physically visit the IT department, they are more productive.