IT Support in San Jose: What You Need to Know About Mobile Device Management (MDM)

As most IT support providers in San Jose know, the use of mobile devices in the workplace has rapidly increased in recent years. Pew Research Center states that 81% of Americans already own smartphones in 2019 -- a far cry from 35% in 2011.It's not a surprise why Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy is gaining traction in many organizations across various industries. When employees already have their own mobile devices, employers can let them use these devices for work instead of giving them company-issued ones. It's a win-win situation for both parties. Employers don't have to allocate a big budget for smartphones and laptops, while employees don't have to adjust to a new gadget or platform they may be unfamiliar with.Aside from that, BYOD supports telecommuting. Remote work arrangements are easier to set up when employees can use their own devices. For a business continuity plan (BCP), this is beneficial, especially in light of recent events concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. The need for work-from-home options has grown bigger and faster than ever before. Organizations that can't make the quick transition in this time of emergency will end up lagging behind their more-prepared competitors.But like with all other initiatives, BYOD has risks which your IT support team in San Jose needs to be addressed before it can be successfully implemented, such as:

• Separating personal data from organizational data
• Establishing a security-focused workplace culture
• Wiping data remotely from compromised devices
• Protecting organizational data from data breaches
• Ensuring only registered personal devices are used
• Ensuring all registered devices get timely updates
• Preventing the installation of unsecured apps
• Training all staff on mobile cybersecurity
• Managing devices of leaving employees
• Managing lost or stolen mobile devices

An in-house technical support team with no specialized expertise and equipment will find it challenging to address all these concerns, but a third-party IT support provider often offers mobile device management (MDM) as part of their services. MDM refers to the administration of mobile devices using software solutions designed to manage, monitor, and secure said devices.If you're looking for a partner that you can trust with your organization's MDM, consider Riverfy, one of the leading providers of IT support solutions in San Jose. We have more than 20 years of experience in the industry, as well as many satisfied clients. Our approach is hands-on and our support is local, so you may be outsourcing to us, but we'll make sure it always feels like home. Contact us now for more information.