Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is a software solution that allows organizations to monitor and manage all devices like computers, mobile devices, scanners, network devices, IoT, etc. connected to their network using a single management interface. UEM treats all end-users or devices as “Endpoints”.
The Evolution of UEM – Unified Endpoint Management is replacement and upgradation for various traditional tools like Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Client Management Tools (CMT).
- Client Management Tools were used to handle client systems and various tasks like software delivery, patch management, and remote control. However, CMT lacked the ability to manage new devices and technologies like mobile devices and the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) System.
- As a result, Mobile Device Management (MDM) started being used in situations where the company owned and managed every device solely for security reasons. MDM is the process of remotely managing the utility of mobile devices and allocating functions like corporate functionality, supportability, security while also allowing users some freedom and flexibility. MDM solutions worked at the device level and they lacked control of other external applications, it was difficult to overcome the obstacles posed by BYOD.
- The limitations visible in MDM solutions, however, led to development of Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) which includes features Mobile App Management, Mobile Content Management, Containerization, and Identity Management in a centralized solution. This provides a comprehensive approach that addresses all aspects of the device. EMM now allowed employers to remotely manage all devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc., and applications used by organization’s employees. With the introduction of these versatile applications, allowing organizations to communicate and access business resources seamlessly, the emphasis shifted away from application visibility and control towards streamlining worker productivity.
UEM Removes the Need for Multiple Tools
As stated above, there is a shortage of expertise with the use of different tools. Since, administrators must perform a variety of tasks like operating system updates, security measures, and remote monitoring, and it is difficult for administrators to educate themselves on different tools, their negligence may lead to costly mistakes. Therefore, organizations felt the need to avoid multiple solutions. Enterprise firms wanted a solution that brought the management of all end-users and endpoints together on one unified solution.This led to the development of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Solutions. UEM solutions are the most recent iterations of software applications that control and track all devices of employees and clients throughout their life cycle. Clients appreciate the right to use their own devices, and employers appreciate the risk minimization and increased productivity that comes with knowing that employees can safely access and use company’s resources.
Features of UEM Solutions
Integration with Multiple Platforms – Unified Endpoint Management is designed to work with multiple platforms like Android, MacOS, Chrome OS, Windows, Linux, etc. It can update, monitor, control, configure and help in migration of device or OS from a single management dashboard.
Compliance – The first step in ensuring system enforcement is deciding which types of devices UEM will allow to enroll as endpoints in company’s network. With user and endpoint compliance UEM establishes perimeter-based security to protect company’s assets. Endpoints are subjected to routine compliance tests to ensure that they are up to date on security fixes, operating system updates, patches and how to treat devices that have been compromised. After a user registers and uses the organization’s network services, the endpoint user must comply with user compliance policy.
Mobile Application Management (MAM) – MAM applies security controls and policies to applications with an option to block dangerous apps. One of the key reasons for failures in a company’s security system is differences in security and management policies for controlling entities, security applications and operating system maintenance. Corporate applications that have been developed in-house can be deployed and controlled through MAM. They can also be isolated from personal applications to protect private information – so an employee does not need to separate their work and personal device but also can maintain distance between their personal and professional lives.
Identity and Access Management – Endpoints are the subject of identity and access management, which ensures that only trusted individuals or devices have safe access to organization’s data. By associating registered devices (endpoints) with users’ credentials with various services like application signing and Single Sign-On (SSO), UEM assesses an endpoint’s behaviour to calculate certificate management risk. This helps indicates whether a user is to be granted or refused access to a particular resource.
Data Stripping – Data stripping is a security technique that removes company’s information from standard applications and redirects it to protected ones. It is a security feature of UEM. It provides a secure and isolated approach to protect organization’s sensitive information.
Devices are becoming more advanced; employees and work policies are changing, and the security environment is constantly changing. These factors are pushing businesses to implement a single endpoint management system (UEM) to handle and protect all endpoints, their users, applications and information in an efficient manner.
