Effective device management: balancing security and productivity in a BYOD world

Since the middle of the last decade, the bring your own device (BYOD) movement has fundamentally shifted the IT security landscape. While CEOs were once willing to accept the corporate Blackberry as a primary tool for communication – and were able to define security policies accordingly – the explosion in iOS and Android devices have shifted the demands placed on IT managers towards balancing convenience and security. Fast-forward more than a decade, effective device management has become critical to helping ensure executives and other team members remain effective and productive without compromising security.  

It’s expected by customers and partners alike that business services will be available around the clock, but connectivity needn’t be viewed as a burden. Indeed, it can form a competitive advantage; companies that are device-agnostic can help attract and retain talent as users aren’t tied to a specific operating environment. Fastrack Technology recognises the role that BYOD plays in helping ensure businesses get the best from their employees and has worked to build a solution that marries Configuration Manager (SCCM) managed services  with Microsoft InTune to offer a comprehensive, integrated approach to desktop and mobile device management that balances flexibility with robust security. This solution offers management via a single pane of glass, so administrators can keep abreast of an organisation’s security posture and policies, while also being able to manage desktop and mobile devices. Another benefit is that a business' entire security environment can be managed by one team, as System Centre is integrated with InTune to enable fast, efficient management. This in turn enables the IT team to focus on building efficiencies elsewhere, rather than plugging holes to ensure data doesn’t leak from the organisation while business managers are able to access data from any device.