As enterprise networks become increasingly distributed with growing numbers of remote workers, unified endpoint management (UEM) has become an important methodology and toolset to help IT and security professionals manage network endpoints. Learn more about what UEM is and why it’s important below.
What Is Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)?
Unified endpoint management (UEM) uses automation, data analytics, and policy management to gain greater visibility and control over network endpoints. And in a work environment that’s trending toward remote mobility and bring your own device (BYOD) policies, a UEM solution can offer improved security, performance, and user experience (UX) across endpoints.
Portions of this definition originally appeared on Datamation and are excerpted here with permission.
What Are Common Features of UEM Software?
In addition to features for device management, application security, and user experience management, UEM solutions also commonly offer features for:
- Security: Features may include zero trust security with administrative access, patch management, and container security.
- User and device management: Options typically include device and user monitoring, user- versus device-based licensing, device and user lifecycle management, BYOD management, identity and access management (IAM), and other user-level security features.
- Policy and application management: Features usually cover policy management and deployment; mobile device management (MDM); self-service application management; application programming interfaces (APIs) and custom integrations; integrated analytics, sometimes powered by machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI); and content and application management.
What Are the Benefits of UEM Software?
Some of the benefits of unified endpoint management include:
- Lifecycle management for distributed workforces becomes easier, as security leaders can remotely provision devices and implement updates, policies, and security safeguards.
- Better user-centric security and employee experiences are available with the help of identity and access management features and guided device and application setup.
- Adherence to regulatory compliance and security requirements is made possible with flexible deployment options for security and other mobile policies, allowing organizations to customize their policy strategy.
- Simplified device management and visibility, offered through a dashboard, provides information on device and user behavior that allows security leaders to gain a comprehensive view and quicker understanding of any weak or problematic endpoints.
Dive deeper and learn more about UEM software solutions on Datamation.
How Can UEM Software Be Used?
UEM software adds additional layers of data protection at user and device levels and has the ability to make remote device deployment and lifecycle management easier. As such, UEM software is ideal for businesses that use a variety of mobile and desktop devices to access data and applications.
The following scenarios offer other possible use cases for UEM software:
- A global pharmaceuticals company needs to manage wearables and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
- Adobe wants to help new members of their global workforce quickly self-provision their desktop devices.
- Aegon Sony Life Insurance Company (ASLIC) needs to automate application access for remote employees, in addition to protecting personally identifiable information (PII).
Read next: The Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Market
