In the current device-centric world of work, where mobile devices are essential to getting the job done, organizations face the challenge of a balancing act: protecting corporate data on employee devices without infringing upon employee privacy. With an increasing number of people working within the mobile space, security — all the while straddling the line of also permitting employees to leverage their devices for business — has become a boiling point. That is exactly where MDM and MAM step in. – Both are makeup part of enterprise mobility management – although they approach security and privacy from very different sides of the fence. Understanding the differences between MDM vs MAM can help companies make informed decisions that balance corporate security with employee independence.
Mobile in the Workforce: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
The mobile has transformed the world and the way of work. Employees are empowered to work from anywhere, they can take the office on the road and wherever they travel – on multiple devices. Though it does add on to being productive, the sensitive data can be easily breached or accessed unauthorized. Now, companies need robust solutions that keep valuable, sensitive data safe without ruining the user experience.
As personal-use devices like smartphones and tablets blur the lines between professional and personal use, companies need to think about how to secure corporate resources without compromising the privacy of individuals. This fact has required systems that manage to find the right balance between control and privacy.
Defining MDM and MAM
MDM vs MAM In the mobility space, as in other areas of IT and technology in general, we certainly ain´t short on acronyms!
MDM is entirely about admin and locking down the device. This means devices can be enrolled into a system; security policies are enforced by the device; and critical access to YOUR business’ resources are controlled. Actions can be anything from password policies, to wiping devices, pushing settings down to devices, to checking devices for compliance.
MAM, on the other hand, is app-focused, as opposed to device-focused. This allows organizations to secure and control of corporate apps and data, but not personal apps and data. MAM combined with UAM allows you to secure corporate data, and manage corporate apps in such a way to control the access to that data, without any issues above around a central org controlling, or leaking of corporate data, or giving information to other peers that shouldn’t actually see that data.
Why the Distinction Matters: Privacy vs Control?
Understanding the difference between MDM vs MAM is critical for organizations seeking to balance security and privacy.
Device-wide control: MDM’s device control can be heavy-handed—especially when employees are using personal devices for work via a BYOD program. With ‘full device management, ‘ certain privacy fears will be inevitable, allowing system administrators to access one’s private data, locate one’s mobile phone, and enforce restrictions that apply to personal use.
MAM provides a more privacy-preserving solution by targeting only work apps and data. It enables firms to keep a tab on corporate assets without having control over them completely, which addresses the employees’ worries about invasion of privacy.
The Use Case for MDM
MDM is typically the preferred option when companies supply devices to their staff and where the entire device needs to be protected. Regulated industries – finance, health care, or government – often need rigorous device organization in order to comply.
In corporate-owned device scenarios, MDM enforces consistent security policies to safeguard against data leaks and unauthorized access. For instance, a user breaks a device or it is simply lost or stolen and IT can remotely wipe all the data, keeping personal or sensitive information safe.
MDM also permits to remote installation of apps, configurations, and updates to those devices to keep them compliant with corporate policies. To be sure, for organizations that want to lock down device settings, MDM is still a must-have.
The Growing Importance of MAM
With more and more companies embracing BYOD, the demand for offerings that understand where personal starts and ends is on the rise. Employees want to keep their apps and data private, employers want to protect corporate data.
MAM fits nicely in this scenario, to only manage the corporate applications. It accomplishes this by using containerization to keep work apps and data isolated from personal ones. That way, IT can apply security policies, mandate data encryption, and wipe corporate data without laying a finger on the personal side of the device.
MAM also enables a better user experience eliminating bothersome friction when employees want to use their devices openly while keeping things secure for company business.
How MDM vs MAM Fit Into Enterprise Mobility Strategy
However many organizations are finally recognizing that one size does not fit all. Instead, they use MDM and MAM together as one piece of a larger EMM strategy.
MDM is targeted at fully managed or corporate-owned devices where you have complete control over the entire device. On personal devices, MAM allows one to access corporate resources securely without compromising the user’s privacy.
This two-pronged strategy allows businesses to design policies based on device ownership, user roles and risk profiles. It offers an elastic, but secure, workspace that increases productivity and data protection.
Challenges in Implementing MDM vs MAM
MDM and MAM both have their challenges.
MDM solutions may be negatively viewed by employees who value their privacy and freedom. Enrollment of devices is requested and it can apply some limitations which affect the use of the device. Clear and transparent messaging on policies by organizations is key to earn the trust of their employees.
MAM, like MDM, relies heavily on app support, but is less invasive. And not absolutely everything qualifies for containerization or easy management. Moreover, MAM solutions could force app developers to include certain SDKs or to adhere to standards such as AppConfig.
But both MDM and MAM can also involve technical complexity and the need to integrate with current IT.
Security Benefits of MDM vs MAM
In terms of security, there is more control overall of devices; with the ability to enforce full policies, block rogue applications, and detect jail-broken or rooted systems. It also has the option to turn on a device tracking software and force a full wipe if it’s needed.
MAM also adds security by keeping a handle on the data at an application level. This allows functionality such as data loss prevention, conditional access based on app compliance, and selective wiping of organizational information. This helps minimize the threat of human error data leaks via personal apps or cloud services.
And by integrating MDM with MAM, businesses can work towards a more layered security approach that tackles device and data threats more effectively.
Employee Privacy Considerations
By the way, to say respecting employee privacy is not only good thing to do, but in some places a requirement. If employees feel that their personally identifiable information is at stake, they can refuse the use of corporate management tools.
The deep access MDM’s are allowed to devices can rightly be worrying about control and surveillance. Location tracking, access to personal photo, messages and calls, or remotely controlling by the employer might be a major concern for any employee.
MAM resolves these issues by separating business and personal activities, and no controls personal data. Companies that have a culture of respecting employee privacy are inclined to choose MAM or a mix to encourage uptake and user goodwill.
Emerging trends: Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)
MDM and MAM Construct lines are further blurring with the advent of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). UEM platforms tie together device management, app management, identity management, and security policies for various types of devices.
UEM offers a holistic approach to managing all endpoints — mobile, desktop, and IoT — from one console with consistent security and compliance management.
As UEM further develops, it will apply the best of what MDM has to offer and what MAM brings to the table, providing granular controls that can simultaneously safeguard corporate security and respect individuals’ privacy.
Choosing the Right system: MDM vs MAM
The decision between MDM vs MAM is influenced by multiple factors such as organisational culture, regulation, device ownership models and security needs.
For organizations distributing corporate devices with sensitive information, MDM still offers valuable resources to maintain control and compliance. Peek inside MAM is a less intrusive way for companies embracing BYOD but also wanting to respect employee privacy.
Some organizations choose a mix or hybrid where they have corporate owned devices with MDM policies and personal devices with MAM policies. This dynamic approach delivers personalized security, without sacrificing user experience.
Conclusion
The trade-off between corporate security and employee privacy is a nuanced, ever-growing issue in today’s business world that’s increasingly mobile-first. Knowing the differences between MDM vs MAM is key to creating a sound mobile strategy that keeps sensitive data safe and can, at the same time, instill user confidence and productivity.
MDM Q: What are the capabilities provided by MDM? device-level management, for corporate owned, and strict compliance environments – Is there a device-level control? MAM provides application-level security for BYOD use cases MAM keeps work data separate from personal data.
Blending the two under a single mobility management approach enables enterprises to maximise security, cater for multiple device usage, and keep their workforce happy. As technology progresses, new things such as Unified Endpoint Management will increasingly help to strike this balance and ensure the freedom that workers wish to enjoy is not sacrificed in the name of such devices.
Finding the correct path will take thought on business objectives risks and culture. Applied thoughtfully, MDM and MAM are the organizational enablers that empower companies to create a secure, flexible, and privacy-conscious mobile experience to succeed in the new world of work.