Mobility Strategies Demand Security and Device Diversity

You don't need to be an IT expert to recognize that mobile device management strategies are taking the enterprise world by storm, as decision-makers across management teams, departments and industries continue to develop BYOD and other remote access policies in their organizations.

While the advantages of such initiatives are many, so are the challenges faced by IT squads seeking to facilitate high-performance networks without sacrificing security and end user privacy. This balancing act is one of the most daunting tasks of the digital era - have you found a solution that delivers results?

Try different approaches

Even experienced IT leaders know that mobile is in its early stages of development in the corporate world, so don't expect that your implementations are going to work as a well-oiled machine off the bat. Nevertheless, you should always be scoping the horizon for new strategies to employ, and not shy away from taking some chances. For instance, consider experimenting with alternative BYOD policies and gather feedback to determine what aspects could use improvement. Changing authentication processes or compartmentalizing applications can bring about different outcomes and security requirements.

One of the keys to a successful enterprise mobile strategy, according to a recent report from Blue Hill Research, is taking a comprehensive, network-enabled approach, rather than segmenting device management tools in a silo within the infrastructure. The source explained that as companies rely more heavily on remote access policies and strategies such as telecommuting, user smartphones, tablets and laptops will have to be treated as top-priority destinations for applications and data, not secondary tasks for servers. This new approach is also essential for bolstered security efforts.

"The onslaught of employee devices entering the corporate enterprise creates complex issues surrounding personal and work ownership across the device, data, and network," said Ralph A. Rodriguez, Blue Hill Research CEO and Chief Research Officer. "Next generation enterprise mobility management (EMM) is the only way for CIOs to truly manage devices and security to protect every party involved."

Internet of hazards?

Considering the increasing demand for mobile device support in and out of the office, it's no surprise that the Internet of Things is making its way onto the radar of consumers and executive leaders alike. As a recent article from CRN explained, the IoT is finally emerging out of obscurity and into the mainstream, shedding its buzzword status for legitimate corporate consideration. While companies have yet to define exactly how these tools will be utilized in the office environment, it's up to leaders like you to see how they can boost end user productivity and deliver greater cohesion across the enterprise.

"I think the concepts of the Internet of Things have kind of been around for a while," said MightyOaks CEO Elder Matias, as quoted by the source. "It's just they're moving out of niche areas into the mainstream."

Between mobile device optimization, the Internet of Things and plenty of cyber security concerns, you'll have your hands full in the coming years of IT innovation. Leverage the assistance of an expert service provider to lighten the load and get ahead of the competition.