The number of devices used by a single organisation or Government agency has increased exponentially for the last few years.
Consequently, a single system administrator faces challenges to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in all these devices to protect corporate data. At the same time, the administrator is required to create email addresses, set up or delete user accounts, install new software, and uninstall outdated software while delivering a seamless employee experience.
As a result, many businesses are opting to enhance their systems and take a zero trust approach by implementing a Unified Endpoint Management System (UEM).
What is Unified Endpoint Management?
Unified Endpoint Management is a combination of tools that controls and protects end user devices, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. The main Unified Endpoint Management technologies use enterprise mobility management (EMM) tools, such as mobile device management (MDM) and mobile application management (MAM).
Mobile device management tools primarily secure any company data that is accessed via employees’ mobile devices. On the other hand, mobile application management manages enterprise applications on employees’ personal devices and enables administrators to enforce company policies on mobile applications.
How do you benefit from Unified Endpoint Management?
Implementing Unified Endpoint Management has many benefits, such as:
Boost endpoint security for all IT environments
IT administrators can use Unified Endpoint Management to increase endpoint security, enable secure access and quickly pinpoint unauthorised activities on all connected devices and deploy corrective measures.
View all devices from one location or device
All networks, end user devices, applications and even IoT devices can be viewed and controlled from a single management console that enables remote control.
Record accurate activity logs
Unified Endpoint Management provides accurate logs of all activities that happen within the system. As a result, managers can easily identify a malfunctioning or infected device and isolate it before it infects other devices.
Obtain real-time security notifications
When a policy is violated or suspicious activities are detected, the UEM will instantly send a notification to the system administrators. For instance, the manager will receive an alert if an employee downloads a suspicious document to their own devices.
Safeguard against cyber attacks
Businesses can use Unified Endpoint Management to remediate security threats, examine malware, ransomware, and spyware’s digital footprint. This enables security experts to create safeguards and policy control across an organization’s network against future cyber threats.
Key differences between Mobile Device Management and Enterprise Mobility Management
Mobile device management, enterprise mobility management, and unified endpoint management are related software solutions, but they have some differences.
Mobile device management (MDM) enables users to complete certain functions from tablets and phones. MDM’s main features are location tracking, device security, enrollment, and device positioning. Managers can also use it to conduct real-time reporting, inventory tracking, and security protocols enforcement.
Mobile device management can be problematic because administrators will have access to employees’ private data. That is why mobile application management (MAM) was created to limit access to just a few applications on an employee’s device. Enterprise mobility management (EMM) combines MDM and MAM to secure company data that is stored on employees’ mobile devices.
It encompasses multiple data protection processes and systems that can rapidly identify data breaches and provide solutions. For instance, the system may delete data on a mobile phone that suddenly goes missing.
Unified endpoint management is a type of EMM solution with comprehensive capabilities. UEM uses a single EMM system to manage and track several desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
What are Unified Endpoint Management features and capabilities?
UEM reduces IT costs, boosts security and productivity, lowers workload, and increases troubleshooting speed. Here are the main features and capabilities of UEM.
Software deployment
Unified endpoint management tools automate the installation of software applications to many endpoints. This is beneficial in large organisations where the same software has to be installed on hundreds of machines. With UEM, organisations can install apps and other types of software to Linux, Mac, Windows, and Android devices.
Unified endpoint management tools come with a self-service portal, software repositories, and deployment templates. As a result, you can easily set the software deployment time, determine pre-deployment activities, and quickly create software packages.
Patch Management
Software developers often release new patches to fix security flaws and improve a software’s efficiency. The number of new software patches can be so high that administrators may not be able to install them quickly on all the organisation’s devices. UEM patch management features can automate the patch installation lifecycle while avoiding common security flaws.
UEM can also scan the system for vulnerabilities, look for missing patches, and fix network weaknesses. All the patch updates happen without the intervention of network managers or system administrators.
Comprehensive Single-Pane Endpoint Management
UEM eliminates the need to use different management software for each endpoint device. Instead, organisations can get access to a single-pane management platform from where they can monitor all devices and applications. UEM can also support several operating systems at the same time while ensuring compliance with corporate policies.
Moreover, UEM can discover and control databases and management tools on endpoint devices. As a result, the IT manager will always benefit from a 360-degree view of applications and assets from a single location.
Multi-vendor and device support
Several companies are adopting the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy to save on costs and streamline remote work. These devices may be from different vendors, use the Internet of Things (IoT), and be connected to diverse hardware. UEM can recognise and detect the hardware and software configurations of all devices that your employees bring in.
The integrated multi-vendor device support can detect and support devices from the main vendors, such as Fortuner, 3Com, Dell, NetScreen, Juniper, Force10, HP, and Cisco. Since most UEM solutions come with configuration commands for every vendor, the administrator doesn’t have to know each device’s configuration command.
IT inventory management
IT managers need to identify, manage, and maintain an inventory of all the software and hardware assets of your organisation. Manually compiling and verifying all this information can be labour-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone. UEM’s IT inventory management feature automates inventory functions and provides real-time network inventory reports.
The inventory report includes details such as warranty information, prohibited software, software license compliance, software details, and software metering. Inventory management can also group devices based on type and size of memory, operating system type and version, and disk usage and age.
Remote Desktop Manager
Administrators can use remote desktop managers to remotely control desktops in WAN and LAN. WAN systems are web-based and enable remote desktop sharing via the internet or a VPN.
Remote desktop sharing provides several capabilities, including:
- Remotely deactivate the mouse and keyboard of a user’s desktop
- Can blacken or lock down a desktop’s screen to enable remote troubleshooting
- Enables access to disk cleanup, power options, command prompts, and control panel from a single click
- Provision of video, voice, and text chat communication models to enhance collaboration
- Remotely access and transfer files between connected desktops
Service packs
UEM has a service pack installation feature that can simultaneously deploy service packs on multiple devices. IT administrators can quickly scan hundreds of connected devices and identify missing service packs. If a service pack is missing on a device, it will be downloaded and stored locally.
The service pack’s configuration will be defined during the installation and can be used to speed up subsequent installations. Moreover, IT administrators can track the installation progress of a service pack and suspend it if need be.
Active Directory reports
Active directories archive all the information relating to the UEM, including DNS, domain controllers, OUs, computers, and users. IT administrators can instantly get a list of active and inactive user accounts, expired and disabled accounts, and the status of all users’ passwords. The directory also contains a list of all domain controllers, Windows servers, workstations, and computers.
Information relating to distribution groups, security groups, groups without members, and user-only groups are available within the active directory feature. The active directory also provides organisational unit reports, such as recently created units, user-only units, and computer-only units. All in all, the active directory feature helps companies stay organised and effective.
What are Unified Endpoint Management strategies?
Deciding to use an endpoint management system is a good move, but you still need to choose the right UEM deployment strategy. Some of the main unified endpoint management systems are:
Maximise administrator UX
A UEM system should not only unify several endpoints but should also separate personal data from company data. This strategy aims to create distinct containers and workspaces to protect corporate data without infringing on private information.
Zero Trust
Some organisations prefer to facilitate access to sensitive sections of their networks by using live assessments. This requires continuous verification of user identity at each endpoint and for every transaction. UEM solutions use advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to create a seamless validation experience.
Non-negotiable controls
Another UEM strategy is to control how data is encrypted on connected devices. This regulated environment requires compliance violation notifications and automated device disconnection.
Getting started
Using a unified endpoint management system to manage all corporate devices saves time and money. Nevertheless, a successful UEM deployment requires the input of endpoint management experts.
AUCloud provides Sovereign Cloud and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to organisations across Australia. One of our main services is helping organisations implement the right UEM solution like Workspace ONE. If you are interested, you can speak to our sales team by calling 1800 282 568. Alternatively, you can email us on sales@aucloud.com.au.
