Mobile Device Management
Mobile Device Management (MDM) is an enterprise security solution that gives IT administrators centralised control over mobile devices, enabling them to enforce security policies, deploy configurations, manage applications, and remotely wipe data to protect corporate resources.
MDM solutions operate through a management agent installed on each enrolled device and a central administration console. The agent communicates with the MDM server over encrypted channels, receiving policy updates and reporting device compliance status. Organisations use MDM to enforce requirements such as minimum OS versions, mandatory screen locks, disk encryption, and approved application lists.
When a device falls out of compliance, for example by being rooted or running a blacklisted application, the MDM platform can take automated remediation actions. These range from sending the user a notification to blocking access to corporate email, quarantining the device, or performing a full or selective remote wipe to erase sensitive data.
MDM is particularly important in industries subject to regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR, where organisations must demonstrate that mobile endpoints accessing protected data meet defined security standards. The MDM compliance logs serve as audit evidence that policies were enforced and violations were remediated.
Modern MDM platforms have evolved into Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions that manage laptops, desktops, and IoT devices alongside smartphones and tablets. Key vendors include Microsoft Intune, VMware Workspace ONE, Jamf, and Ivanti. When combined with Mobile Threat Defense and conditional access policies, MDM forms the foundation of a zero-trust approach to mobile security.