1. Eliminates costly inefficiencies related to routine work

Repetitive tasks do not generate revenue, they drain it. Every hour spent on routine maintenance is an hour not spent improving client systems, identifying upsell opportunities or expanding service offerings. This inefficiency slows response times, reduces client satisfaction and ultimately leads to higher churn rates, which negatively impacts your bottom line.

Automation solves this by eliminating the manual workload, allowing technicians to focus on high-value tasks that drive profitability. According to our upcoming 2025 Global MSP Benchmark Survey Report, nearly 60% of MSPs ranked automation, including auto-remediation of tickets, as the most valuable RMM feature.

Some of the ways automation helps cut costs and improve efficiency are:

• Fewer on-site visits and emergency calls: Automated monitoring and remediation allow for remote issue resolution, reducing infrastructure and labor costs.
• Optimized software licensing: Better resource allocation ensures that MSPs only pay for the licenses they actually need instead of overprovisioning.
• Reduce downtime-related losses: Proactive automation keeps systems up and running, reducing financial losses associated with downtime for both MSPs and their clients.
• Minimize SLA breaches and penalties: Automated alerts, patching and system optimizations help meet SLAs consistently, preventing costly service credits or contract penalties.

2. Helps you scale cost-effectively

Every new client brings more tickets, more maintenance and bigger security challenges. Without streamlined processes, the only way to keep up is to hire more technicians, which drives up payroll costs and cuts into precious profits.

Instead of expanding your team, automation helps you do more with the resources you already have. Tasks that once took hours can now be completed in minutes without constant technician intervention. This efficiency increases revenue per technician, driving higher profitability per client and improving overall margins.

The survey also found that winning new clients is the biggest challenge for MSPs in 2025, with competition making it harder to stand out. Without automation, scaling will only get tougher. By automating routine tasks, the leadership team can shift focus from daily IT operations to building a strong sales infrastructure, improving marketing efforts and expanding the client base.

Check out Kaseya’s Partner First Pledge, designed to share both the success and risk our partners experience.

3. Enables more reliable service for higher profitability

MSPs that struggle with slow response times, unresolved tickets and inconsistent service risk losing business to competitors who deliver faster, more reliable support. Frustrated clients lead to churn, negative reviews and lost revenue.

Automation makes IT support faster, more proactive and highly efficient. Instead of waiting for problems to escalate, MSPs can resolve issues instantly, often before clients even realize there is a problem. Here’s how automation helps you deliver better service and drive profitability:

• Faster resolution, happier clients: Automated IT monitoring fixes issues in real-time, reducing downtime and ticket volume. Clients enjoy seamless IT support, leading to stronger retention and fewer escalations.
• Proactive vs. reactive support: Scheduled maintenance, automated updates and AI-driven diagnostics reduce emergency fixes, lowering operational costs while improving service efficiency.
• Consistent, high-quality service: Manual processes leave room for human error and inconsistency. Automation creates standardized workflows and delivers predictable outcomes, so every client receives the same high level of service — critical for securing long-term contracts.
• Increased client referrals and upsell opportunities: Happy clients stay longer, renew contracts and recommend your MSP to others.

4. Makes security your strong suite

Security is not just another service on your roster — it is a key driver of profitability. Our MSP Benchmark Survey found that MSPs earning 15% or higher margins have advanced security services in their portfolio. However, offering cybersecurity alone is not enough. To command higher prices and scale profitably, automation is essential.

Cyberthreats are relentless, and ransomware attacks, data breaches and compliance failures can lead to devastating legal fees, regulatory fines, downtime and lost business. Worse, a single security lapse can permanently damage your reputation, making it harder to retain or attract clients.

Automation is the key to delivering strong, scalable security while keeping costs under control. Here’s how:

• Premium security equals higher margins: You can differentiate your MSP by offering advanced security solutions, like managed detection and response (MDR), AI-driven threat protection and automated compliance management, that justify higher service fees.
• Lower incident response costs: Automating patching, vulnerability scanning and endpoint protection prevents issues before they escalate, reducing the need for expensive emergency response efforts.
• Scaling without hiring a full security team: Cybersecurity expertise is expensive. Instead of hiring a team of specialists, automation enables your team to manage security at scale with AI-driven threat detection, automated response playbooks and proactive monitoring.
• Stronger compliance: Meeting security and compliance standards manually is time-consuming and expensive. Automated security tools ensure policies are enforced, logs are maintained and reports are generated instantly, helping avoid costly fines and contract breaches.

5. Empower technicians to perform and drive revenue

When technicians are buried under repetitive tasks, productivity drops, burnout sets in and top talent walks out the door. Losing skilled IT professionals is costly and disruptive, making it harder to scale your MSP.

Now, imagine a stress-free team where technicians log in to start their day and see that routine patches, updates and security scans have already run overnight. Instead of wasting time on tedious maintenance, they focus on high-impact projects that strengthen client relationships, improve service quality and create new revenue opportunities.

Automation frees technicians to do their best work and actively contribute to business growth. Here’s how:

• Lower stress, fewer mistakes: Automating routine tasks reduces errors, prevents downtime and helps meet SLAs effortlessly.
• More time for high-value work: Technicians can focus on strategic initiatives, security improvements and proactive client support instead of endless troubleshooting.
• Increased revenue potential: A technician who is not overwhelmed with busy work can spot upsell opportunities, recommend security enhancements and drive service expansions — turning IT support into a profit center.

Scale and save with Kaseya 365 Endpoint

You don’t need multiple tools or a complicated strategy to achieve everything we just covered. One solution does it all. Kaseya 365 Endpoint gives you everything you need to manage, secure, back up and automate your endpoints, all under a single subscription. By consolidating tools into one powerful platform, you reduce licensing costs, eliminate manual inefficiencies and lighten the administrative workload. With up to 70% cost savings, your MSP is set up for success — less stress, more control and the confidence todominate your market. Click here to know more about Kaseya 365 Endpoint.

The post Top 5 Ways Automation Increases Profitability appeared first on Kaseya.

NIST is globally recognised for its comprehensive Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), a benchmark for managing cybersecurity risks. On the other hand, Essential Eight, developed by the ACSC, outlines eight key strategies that establish a baseline security framework to mitigate common threats.

While NIST is widely implemented across industries in the United States and has broad applicability worldwide, Essential Eight is tailored to the needs of organisations in Australia and New Zealand. Let’s explore how these frameworks can streamline compliance efforts and enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity.

What is NIST?

The NIST CSF, established by the U.S. Department of Commerce, is one of the most trusted standards for managing cybersecurity risks. First introduced in 2014 in response to an executive order to strengthen critical infrastructure security, it has grown into a global benchmark for best practices thanks to its flexibility and scalability. The latest Version 2.0 was released on February 26, 2024.

NIST CSF takes a risk-based approach, a strategy that helps organisations focus on the most pressing threats. By addressing the highest-risk areas first, organisations can allocate resources more effectively and minimise potential impacts. Instead of applying uniform measures across all areas, this approach focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, prioritising responses and aligning security efforts with business goals.

Core NIST CSF functions

The framework is built around five primary functions that outline the critical activities required to achieve comprehensive cybersecurity:

• Identify: Gain a clear understanding of your organisation’s critical assets, including data, systems and infrastructure, to determine what is at risk. This involves assessing potential vulnerabilities, mapping system dependencies and recognizing external threats that could impact operations.
• Protect: Establish safeguards to secure critical systems and data. This includes implementing access controls, encryption, employee training and other proactive measures to prevent unauthorised access or misuse.
• Detect: Set up monitoring and detection systems to identify potential cybersecurity events or unusual activities in real-time. These mechanisms help uncover threats early, allowing for faster responses.
• Respond: Create and implement a detailed response plan to address identified threats or breaches. This includes clearly defining roles, communication strategies and actions to mitigate an incident’s impact.
• Recover: Develop strategies to restore operations following a cybersecurity event quickly. This involves data restoration, system recovery, and evaluating the effectiveness of a response to improve future preparedness.

Key industries and applications

NIST CSF is widely adopted across industries due to its adaptability and comprehensive approach. Key sectors include:

• Government and defences: Mandated by federal regulations, NIST is crucial role in securing national security assets and critical infrastructure.
• Healthcare: Ensures compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations, protecting patient data and maintaining its confidentiality and integrity.
• Finance: Helps financial institutions manage risks, safeguard sensitive information and secure transactions.
• Energy: Protects vital infrastructure, such as power grids and pipelines, from potential cyberattacks.
• Technology and telecommunications: Adopted by IT service providers and software vendors to meet global compliance standards and enhance security practices.
• Education: Protects sensitive student and institutional data from breaches, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations and maintaining trust in academic systems.
• Retail: Secures payment processing systems, customer information and supply chain data, helping retailers mitigate risks like data breaches and payment fraud.
• Manufacturing: Protects operational technology, proprietary designs and intellectual property from cyberattacks, ensuring continuity in production and safeguarding competitive advantages.

NIST’s broad applicability and detailed guidelines make it an invaluable tool for organisations aiming to establish a strong cybersecurity foundation. 

What is Essential Eight?

The Essential Eight, developed by Australia’s leading authority on cybersecurity, the ACSC, was created to tackle the rising threat of cyberattacks. Formed to strengthen Australia’s digital infrastructure, Essential Eight provides businesses with clear, actionable steps to secure IT environments, mitigate vulnerabilities and minimise the impact of cyber incidents.

Recognising that many organisations, particularly small and midsize enterprises (SMEs), struggle to implement complex cybersecurity frameworks, the ACSC designed Essential Eight to combat frequent and preventable threats. These include ransomware, data breaches and phishing attacks, which pose significant risks to organisations of all sizes.

The framework focuses on eight core strategies that help businesses establish a baseline level of protection, ensure critical assets are safeguarded and simplify compliance requirements.

The Eight Core Strategies

These eight strategies target common vulnerabilities and are designed to mitigate risks effectively. They are:

• Application whitelisting: Only allow trusted applications to run on systems, preventing malicious software from executing.
• Patch applications: Regularly update software to fix vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.
• Configure macros: Restrict the use of macros in documents is a common source of malware infections.
• Restrict administrative privileges: Limit access to administrative accounts to reduce the potential impact of compromised credentials.
• Patch operating systems: Keep operating systems up to date to protect against known security issues.
• Multifactor authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to enhance login security by requiring multiple forms of verification.
• Daily backups: Perform regular backups of critical data to ensure recovery in the event of data loss or ransomware attacks.
• User application hardening: Disable unnecessary features, such as Flash or Java, to reduce the attack surface.

Focus on Australian and New Zealand businesses

The Essential Eight is particularly relevant for businesses in Australia and New Zealand, where cybersecurity awareness is growing alongside the rising threat of cyberattacks. Essential Eight’s localised approach sets it apart, addressing the unique cybersecurity challenges organisations face in these countries. At the same time, it aligns with global cybersecurity standards, ensuring businesses in the region can protect themselves effectively while meeting broader expectations. This combination of practicality and adaptability has made it a trusted choice for improving cybersecurity across various sectors.

Additional Reading: Top Compliance Standards and the Differences Between Them: SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST and PCI DSS

Key differences between NIST and Essential Eight

While both NIST and Essential Eight aim to enhance cybersecurity, their approaches and applications differ significantly. Below is a comparative summary of the two frameworks.

Similarities between NIST and Essential Eight

Although NIST and Essential Eight are distinct frameworks tailored to different regions and needs, they share several core principles. These similarities highlight their shared commitment to improving cybersecurity and reducing risks for organisations.

Risk management as a cornerstone

Both frameworks emphasise the importance of risk management in cybersecurity. They guide organisations in identifying potential threats, assessing vulnerabilities and prioritising actions to mitigate risks effectively.

Shared principles of protection, detection and response

NIST and Essential Eight both prioritise the essential activities of protecting systems, detecting threats and responding effectively to incidents. NIST organises cybersecurity principles into broad core functions, like protection, guiding organisations to implement measures systematically as part of a larger framework. Essential Eight, in contrast, provides specific, actionable steps like enabling MFA or performing daily backups, making it quicker for businesses to address immediate risks.

Overlapping requirements

Both frameworks address common cybersecurity practices, including:

• Patch management: Regularly updating software and operating systems to close security gaps.
• Access control: Restricting user privileges to reduce unauthorised access risks.
• Incident response planning: Establishing protocols for efficiently managing and recovering from security breaches.

Improved security posture and risk mitigation

Both frameworks aim to enhance organisational security and minimise the impact of cyberthreats. By implementing their guidelines, organisations can create a robust security environment that proactively addresses vulnerabilities and ensures continuity during incidents.

Best practices for adhering to both NIST and Essential Eight

Adhering to NIST and Essential Eight can be a powerful way to build a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. By combining the strengths of both frameworks, IT professionals can effectively address vulnerabilities and maintain operational resilience. Here are practical steps for aligning with both standards:

Risk assessment and baseline establishment

NIST’s approach focuses on identifying risks and monitoring for potential attacks. The framework emphasises early detection to prevent or minimise damage. Essential Eight’s approach prioritises remediating risks and responding to vulnerabilities as soon as they’ve been identified.

Best Practice: Use NIST guidelines to establish a risk management process that detects and assesses threats early. Apply Essential Eight’s actionable strategies to address vulnerabilities immediately and reinforce security controls.

Patch management

Patching is a core requirement for both NIST and Essential Eight. It ensures that vulnerabilities in software and operating systems are resolved promptly.

Best practice: Automate the patching process to save time, reduce errors and ensure compliance. Regularly update both applications and operating systems to close security gaps and prevent exploitation.

Access control and privilege management

Both frameworks emphasise restricting user access to reduce the attack surface.

Best Practice: Implement MFA to secure account access and adopt least privilege policies, granting users only the permissions necessary for their roles. This minimises the impact of compromised credentials.

Incident response

NIST’s Response and Recovery functions provide a robust framework for planning, containing and recovering from security incidents. Essential Eight strategies reinforce incident response with regular backups and privilege restrictions to limit damage.

Best practice: Combine the strengths of both frameworks by using NIST’s detailed guidelines to build incident response plans and Essential Eight’s specific strategies (e.g., daily backups) to ensure quick recovery.

Additional Reading: 5 Tips for Incident Response Plan

Automation

Automation plays a crucial role in effectively implementing NIST and Essential Eight strategies. It simplifies compliance and enhances an organisation’s ability to stay ahead of evolving risks.

• Use automation tools to continuously monitor systems for compliance with both NIST and Essential Eight standards, such as tracking access controls, system updates and security configurations.
• Automate routine security checks and patch management to minimise the risk of vulnerabilities, ensuring systems are always up to date with minimal manual intervention.
• Implement automated remediation processes to respond quickly to vulnerabilities or detected threats, reducing downtime and minimising potential damage.

By combining NIST’s focus on proactive monitoring with Essential Eight’s actionable strategies, organisations can create a streamlined, efficient approach to cybersecurity that is both practical and comprehensive.

Additional Reading: Maximize Efficiency With Kaseya 365’s Automation Power

How Kaseya 365 simplifies compliance through automation

For IT professionals, managing compliance while maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture can feel like juggling competing priorities. The constant need to address risks, adhere to regulations and respond to threats often overwhelms teams. This is where Kaseya 365 transforms the game, using automation to simplify compliance and streamline security management.

Kaseya 365 has two configurations — Kaseya 365 Endpoint and Kaseya 365 User.

Kaseya 365 Endpoint

Kaseya 365 Endpoint provides everything needed to manage, secure, backup and automate endpoints under a single subscription. From ensuring consistent patching to enforcing security policies, Kaseya 365 Endpoint helps organisations maintain compliance effortlessly.

• Compliance Advantages: Automatically apply and track updates, enforce endpoint policies and generate compliance reports, reducing the risk of missed requirements.
• Automation Perks:  It automates routine tasks like patch management, threat detection and system monitoring, freeing up IT teams to focus on higher-priority tasks.

Kaseya 365 User

Kaseya 365 User is tailored to prevent, respond to and recover from user-based threats through tools like anti-phishing, security awareness training, simulation and testing and dark web monitoring.

• Compliance Advantages: Automates user training and testing schedules to meet regulatory requirements for cybersecurity awareness and threat preparedness.
• Automation Perks: Delivers ongoing security awareness programs and actively monitors user vulnerabilities, ensuring proactive protection with minimal manual oversight.

Together, the Endpoint and User configurations provide a unified, automated approach to compliance, empowering IT teams to maintain a strong security posture while eliminating the complexity of manual processes. With Kaseya 365, compliance becomes seamless, proactive and efficient.

Benefits of using Kaseya 365

Kaseya 365 integrates critical IT management tools into a single platform, leveraging automation to handle repetitive and resource-intensive tasks easily.  Automation ensures that essential compliance and security measures are implemented consistently, minimising human error and saving valuable time. Here’s how automation in Kaseya 365 helps align with NIST and Essential Eight:

• Reduced manual workload for IT teams: Automation eliminates repetitive tasks, enabling IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives and reducing burnout.
• Real-time monitoring: Automated tools continuously monitor systems for vulnerabilities and compliance gaps, ensuring issues are flagged before they escalate.
• Compliance reporting: Generate detailed compliance reports at the click of a button, simplifying audits and reducing the manual effort involved in tracking adherence to NIST and Essential Eight standards.
• Patch management: Keeps applications and operating systems updated automatically, meeting NIST’s risk mitigation guidelines and Essential Eight’s patching requirements.
• Incident response: Pre-built response playbooks automate containment and recovery actions during security incidents, ensuring rapid and effective remediation.
• Enhanced efficiency through centralization: Combines IT management tasks into one platform, streamlining workflows, reducing redundancy and boosting productivity.
• Scalability across regions and industries: Kaseya 365 is adaptable to businesses of all sizes and designed to meet the needs of organisations operating in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

By leveraging these benefits, Kaseya 365 transforms compliance and cybersecurity into manageable, efficient processes for organisations.

Additional Reading: Break Free From Your IT Groundhog Day: Top Tasks to Automate

The future of compliance made simple

Understanding frameworks like NIST and Essential Eight is essential for building a strong cybersecurity foundation, but managing compliance doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With its unified approach and automation-driven features, Kaseya 365 simplifies compliance and strengthens security across your organisations. Take the first step toward seamless IT management and enhanced protection. Book a demo of Kaseya 365 today.

The post NIST vs Essential Eight: Compliance Standards for IT Professionals Made Easy appeared first on Kaseya.

What is desktop management?

Desktop management is a comprehensive approach to managing all the computers within an organization. It includes overseeing software installations, managing hardware configurations, ensuring security updates and patches are applied promptly, and monitoring system health. This practice not only helps in maintaining the health of the IT infrastructure but also supports compliance with various standards and regulations, ensuring that business operations are both efficient and secure.

Why is desktop management important?

For IT professionals, the importance of robust desktop management cannot be overstated. It directly impacts the business’s bottom line by enhancing productivity, ensuring security, reducing costs and maintaining compliance. Effective desktop management ensures that:

• Systems run smoothly and efficiently, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
• Security threats are managed proactively through regular updates and patches.
• Compliance with industry standards is maintained, protecting the organization against legal and financial penalties.

The role of desktop management in supporting IT infrastructure is undeniable. It not only secures operations against potential threats but also ensures that systems function without interruption, enhancing overall productivity. By consistently applying updates and adhering to compliance standards, businesses can avoid significant legal and financial repercussions. Thus, investing in robust desktop management is essential for any organization aiming to optimize their operations and safeguard their interests.

Core functionalities of desktop management

Desktop management encompasses several key functionalities that help IT teams maintain control over organizational IT resources:

• Remote monitoring and management: Allows IT admins to monitor and manage IT assets remotely, ensuring optimal performance and quick response to issues.
• Software deployment and patch management: Automated deployment of software and timely patching of vulnerabilities keep systems secure and functional.
• Endpoint configuration and policy management: Standardizes settings across devices, enhancing security and compliance.
• Asset inventory and license management: Keeps track of hardware and software assets, ensuring license compliance and efficient resource utilization.
• Endpoint security management: Protects against malware, ransomware and other cyberthreats through proactive monitoring and defense measures.

By leveraging capabilities listed above, IT teams can effectively manage and safeguard organizational assets. This comprehensive approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also fortifies the IT infrastructure against emerging threats, thereby supporting a robust and resilient technological environment for the business.

Benefits of desktop management

As businesses grow and technology evolves, managing IT environments can become increasingly complex. Implementing a robust desktop management system is critical to maintaining control over IT resources and enhancing operational efficiency. This strategy offers several compelling benefits that can transform the way your business manages its technology infrastructure. Here’s how desktop management can make a difference:

• Centralized management: Simplifies the management of IT resources, reducing complexity and overhead.
• Automation: Reduces manual tasks, allowing IT staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.
• Improved security: Enhances the overall security posture by managing endpoints proactively.
• Increased efficiency: Streamlines operations, reducing both time and cost.
• Scalability: Easily scales to meet the growing needs of the business.

The advantages of desktop management are clear and impactful. By centralizing the management of IT resources, automating routine tasks, enhancing security measures, boosting operational efficiency and offering scalable solutions, businesses can not only save time and costs but also improve their overall IT governance. These benefits underscore why desktop management should be a fundamental part of any organization’s IT strategy, helping to streamline operations and secure assets in a dynamic technological landscape.

Best practices for desktop management

To maximize the effectiveness of desktop management, businesses should consider:

• Standardizing desktop configurations to ensure consistency and reliability across the organization.
• Implementing a comprehensive patch management strategy to keep all systems secure and up to date.
• Conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with security policies and identify areas for improvement.
• Educating end-users on desktop security best practices to foster a secure IT environment.

Adhering to these best practices not only enhances operational efficiency but also fortifies your IT infrastructure against potential threats. By focusing on standardization, proactive security measures, consistent audits and thorough training, organizations can ensure that their desktop management strategies yield optimal results and support business objectives effectively.

Challenges in desktop management

Despite its benefits, desktop management can present challenges, such as:

• Software complexity: Managing various software applications across different environments can be cumbersome and error prone.
• Security risks: Desktops are often targeted by cyberthreats, requiring sophisticated strategies to mitigate risks.
• Compliance requirements: Staying abreast of evolving regulatory requirements demands constant vigilance and adaptation.

Overcoming these challenges is crucial for maintaining an efficient and secure IT environment. Employing a robust desktop management tool like Kaseya VSA can simplify complex processes, enhance security measures and ensure compliance, thereby allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.

Kaseya VSA: A leader in desktop management

Kaseya VSA stands out with features like industry-defining automation, native ransomware detection, advanced patch management, a self-service portal and comprehensive server monitoring and management. These features make Kaseya VSA an exemplary tool for businesses looking to enhance their desktop management capabilities and secure their IT environments.

Effective desktop management is crucial for any business aiming to optimize its IT operations and secure its digital assets. With Kaseya VSA, companies can leverage powerful tools to enhance their desktop management strategies, ensuring their IT environments are efficient, secure and scalable. Learn more about how Kaseya VSA can revolutionize your desktop management and resolve issues quickly.

For those ready to experience the power of Kaseya VSA firsthand and see how it can transform your IT management approach, don’t hesitate to start your free trial today. Discover the benefits of comprehensive desktop management with Kaseya VSA and propel your business towards greater operational efficiency and security.

The post What Is Desktop Management? appeared first on Kaseya.

Whether you are looking at your first RMM investment or simply looking for tips and best practices to optimize your current solution, this blog is for you. We’ll share real-world examples of how businesses are putting RMM to work, so read on.

What is remote monitoring & management?

Remote monitoring and management is the process of overseeing and optimizing the performance and security of all devices connected to a network. This process is crucial for the success of any modern business and is performed using an RMM solution. Think of RMM as your tech-savvy sidekick that helps you complete tasks, like software updates, patch management, asset tracking, security monitoring, backup and recovery, and even reporting, painlessly. In today’s fast-paced digital world, RMM has become an essential tool for ensuring smooth IT operations and minimizing downtime. By helping businesses detect and troubleshoot issues proactively, it plays a crucial role in ensuring both IT reliability and security.

Why is RMM used?

RMM solutions offer a way for MSPs and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) to streamline and organize IT management. Prior to the extensive adoption of RMMs, IT professionals provided services on an ad hoc basis. Their clients would solicit their services only when something broke down and then pay them for that specific task. Also called the break-fix model, the system was reactive and didn’t involve continuous management and monitoring of the IT infrastructure.

As RMMs became more widely used and their application broadened, that changed. IT service providers could now provide extensive, round-the-clock services to a bigger pool of clients, unlocking new revenue streams. More and more clients began to see the business value of MSPs. They invested in their services, facilitating the shift to subscription fee models that provided regular cash flow and predictable revenue to MSPs.

Today, MSPs are integral to the growth and evolution of the IT industry. They have been a boon to cash-strapped SMBs, bolstering them with enterprise-level infrastructure at a price they can afford. All this was made possible with RMM, allowing MSPs to grow at an exponential rate.

Beyond performing IT tasks, an RMM solution directly affects an MSP’s capacity for customer acquisition, operational costs, profits and even the work-life balance of technicians. Here are some ways MSPs leverage RMM to drive growth:

• RMM empowers MSPs to win more clients without being burdened by high customer acquisition costs.
• It provides a higher endpoint-to-technician ratio, allowing MSPs to manage more clients without expanding their technician base, thus saving on resources.
• RMMs that integrate seamlessly with other critical tools, like PSA and documentation solutions, help MPSs improve client service, collections and overall business operations.
• Automation also helps reduce operational costs since technicians no longer need to perform tasks manually. It also reduces errors, making it easier for technicians to provide better customer service.

Here’s a case study of how RMM can be a game changer for businesses. Jacobs Engineering Group had a very manual process for updating computers and was struggling to maintain systems. They leveraged Kaseya VSA to automate software updates and patch management, which made their systems secure. VSA turned out to be highly cost-effective, enabling them to replace multiple ineffective products with one very efficient solution at a lower cost.

How does RMM software work?

No two RMM solutions look the same, but how they generally operate is quite similar. In this section, we will broadly cover the steps involved in deploying, configuring and using an RMM solution.

Step 1: Deploying an RMM agent

As with any software, you begin by downloading an RMM software of your choice and configuring it to communicate with the RMM server. An advanced RMM solution, like Kaseya VSA, provides multitenancy so that you can manage thousands of endpoints and client sites from a single software instance.

Step 2: Agent configuration

While the main RMM platform acts as the all-seeing eye into the IT infrastructure of your clients, the information is delivered to it by an RMM agent installed on all managed devices. Therefore, correctly configuring the RMM agents is an important step that must be performed carefully. Once configurations like login credentials, communication frequency, access permission, security protocols or any plugins or features that you want to use are in place — do a test run. You can also add new agents as needed or remove old ones.

Step 3: Device discovery and inventory

Once the RMM agent is installed on an endpoint, it begins the process of device discovery and inventory. It collects essential data like operating system version, applications installed and hardware details to add to the RMM database. This comes in handy whenever an issue needs to be resolved or when action is taken on an endpoint. The agent also monitors the health and performance of devices, sending notifications to the RMM in real-time so technicians can take immediate action.

Step 4: Remote and real-time monitoring

Once deployed, advanced RMMs, like VSA, hit the ground running and start unlocking performance efficiencies from day one. Even for devices located remotely, technicians can address issues like patching, software updates, low disk space, password resets and connectivity from their RMM. For example, an RMM agent can detect when a device’s memory is running low and alert the MSP, who can then remotely provision additional memory. RMM agents also collect and transmit system logs to the RMM so that the platform can detect and nip potential issues proactively. RMMs also assist MSPs in identifying out-of-warranty devices, helping them take action on time.

Step 5: Automating and scripting

Top-of-the-line RMMs, like VSA, come loaded with advanced automation capabilities that help MSPs save time and money by streamlining mundane tasks. For instance, MSPs can automate patch deployment and software updates, making sure patches are applied to hundreds of devices in a matter of minutes. Automating tasks minimizes the possibility of human error, which can otherwise lead to service disruptions and security risks for businesses and their clients. MSPs that use automation enjoy more streamlined operations, higher customer satisfaction rates and better time and cost savings.

Step 6: Alerts and notification

The RMM agents work tirelessly to send real-time alerts to MSPs on everything from warnings about failed backups to system vulnerabilities that require a response. MSPs, on their end, leverage their RMMs to triage alerts so they can begin addressing issues based on criticality and importance.

Step 7: Policy enforcement

MSPs leverage RMMs to set and enforce policies. These policies can include security, data protection or other administrative policies. This proactive approach not only safeguards against potential threats but also ensures that devices not in use are promptly disconnected from the network.

Step 8: Reporting and analytics 

This incredible feature, found in premium RMM solutions, empowers users to create personalized reports using diverse parameters, such as device health, performance trends and security status. These reports serve multiple purposes for MSPs, from helping them demonstrate the value of work to clients to aiding in compliance management and strategic planning.

What does RMM software do?

In this section, we’ll explore key RMM functions and discover the incredible ways in which it can supercharge your business.

Maintenance automation

Embracing automation is crucial for MSPs to achieve greater efficiency, diminish manual labor and optimize processes. A case in point is VSA, which equips MSPs to automate a range of everyday IT responsibilities, like patch management, the creation and response to tickets based on policies, routine server maintenance and even the auto-resolution of ransomware-level threats. This not only streamlines operations but also saves MSPs substantial time and costs.

Patch management

Safeguarding your systems against ransomware and other cyberthreats hinges on effective and timely patch management. VSA 10 offers a robust solution by enabling the auto-remediation of software vulnerabilities through a fully automated, sleep-proof patch management system. With an extensive library of over 200 third-party titles integrated into VSA, you gain the ability to patch all devices, whether on or off the network. This applies to all devices, regardless of whether they operate on Windows, Mac, or Linux platforms. Furthermore, VSA is engineered to allow rapid deployment of patches even in low-bandwidth networks, thus ensuring optimal performance.

Real-time monitoring and alerts

Visibility is key to effective monitoring. VSA 10 meets this crucial need by providing comprehensive insight into your IT environment. The user-friendly network topology map within VSA offers direct visibility, presenting a detailed breakdown of asset information for all endpoints (both agent and SNMP) on any network. Additionally, the solution incorporates monitoring/alert-driven ticket creation, email notifications and the auto-remediation of vulnerabilities through agent procedures.

Reporting and analytics

For MSPs, showing the value of their work to clients has always been a challenge. VSA delivers enterprise-grade, client-ready reports right out of the box, enabling you to demonstrate the real impact of your efforts to both non-technical clients and executives. The platform streamlines the entire reporting process, automating preparation, approval and delivery, allowing you to allocate your time to more high-value tasks. Moreover, VSA is crafted for seamless bidirectional data flow with industry-standard business intelligence solutions like Tableau and PowerBI. This integration facilitates easy reporting on the overall health of your IT ecosystem.

Curious to know what else an RMM can do for you? Check out our checklist of 11 things you should monitor and manage using your RMM.

What are the benefits of RMM?

When choosing an RMM solution, it’s important to consider features such as scalability, security, price and ease of use. It is also important to evaluate how the solution fits into your overall IT strategy and how it can help streamline operations.

Scalability

• With the right RMM in the toolkit, MSPs can seamlessly scale their operations and take on more clients without compromising on quality.
• By automating common tasks, they can make the most of their resources and ensure quick, consistent service delivery without increasing costs.

Predictability

• An RMM should help MSPs optimize their operations, enabling them to move away from a break-fix model to a subscription model.
• This approach simplifies the payment process for clients, offering them clarity on their expenses while also providing MSPs with a clear understanding of anticipated monthly revenue.
• With better visibility into the future, MSPs can make informed decisions, make strategic investments and manage costs in ways that drive growth.

Productivity

• An RMM should help facilitate a shift in IT management strategy from reactive to proactive.
• By leveraging automation, RMMs can make better use of their resources and relieve stress on their technicians, significantly boosting their capability to provide effective tech support.
• By providing improved support and security, MSPs can ensure that they meet service level agreements (SLAs) in a timely manner, which will translate to better revenue.

Sustainability

• Besides minimizing the time spent on repetitive and redundant tasks, RMMs are capable of identifying the root cause of potential problems and nipping them in the bud before they snowball into larger problems.
• Proactive maintenance means clients and end users enjoy minimal downtime and optimal service at all times.

Profitability

• RMMs help MSPs manage clients remotely, reducing the need for site visits and associated costs.
• Since most manual tasks are automated, MSPs can onboard more clients without hiring more technicians, which aids cost-effective growth.
• As RMMs can perform multiple functions like patching, monitoring and ransomware detection, MSPs can eliminate the need for individual solutions and slim down their tech stacks, boosting their profitability.
• Streamlined and consistent service delivery increases customer satisfaction, which leads to higher revenue and profit.

What to look for in an RMM solution

Choosing the right RMM solution from the hundreds available in the market can be a tricky job. We have identified three key features that you should look out for that are hallmarks of high-quality RMMs.

Simplified deployment and administration

The RMM should score well on both the device-centric and user-centric metrics. It should be able to perform complex tasks and have all the functionality that an IT professional needs to manage a modern IT infrastructure while being easy to use. VSA fits the bill. Designed with the end user in mind, it has an intuitive user interface that reduces the learning curve. VSA has a checkbox graphic user interface (GUI) approach that is implemented at the global or customer organization level without the need to manually recreate policies, thereby ensuring quick and consistent deployment of configurations. The solution is also highly scalable and can monitor tens of thousands of endpoints, with one instance enabling MSPs to scale and grow freely.

Centralized management

Effective centralized management is essential for streamlining operations and reducing overheads. For instance, having a centralized system for tracking customer inquiries and issues can help address customer concerns quickly and efficiently. Using VSA, you can monitor, manage and secure endpoints from one central location. It also provides real-time analytics and insights, allowing you to make informed decisions about your network.

Seamless integration

Having your RMM integrate seamlessly with your core IT solutions gives you the ultimate competitive advantage when it comes to efficiency, customer service and scalability. Legacy RMMs are often more difficult to integrate with other core IT solutions, resulting in higher costs and more time spent on implementation. On the other hand, VSA, being part of Kaseya’s IT Complete platform, provides seamless integration with a solution for every need of the DO-IT-ALL IT professional. Whether it’s solutions for IT operations, security, audit and compliance, business services or networking, we have you covered. With each solution’s interface mirroring the other, technicians need not master multiple solutions to build integrated workflows for maximum efficiency.

Remote monitoring and management with Kaseya VSA

VSA is a true unified RMM solution that can monitor, manage and secure your entire IT ecosystem. It is unified in terms of bundling powerful features like remote control, software/patch management, executive reporting and endpoint monitoring into a single, easy-to-use solution. This means you can manage all your IT assets from a single platform, saving you time and money. Moreover, it makes IT management much easier, as technicians no longer have to switch between multiple systems and programs.

Add to it cutting-edge automation, and you will experience a remarkable 50% boost in technician efficiency, leading to significant cost savings, complete customer satisfaction and a boost in overall productivity. Security on your mind? VSA offers best-in-class security with native ransomware detection and seamless integration with advanced solutions like endpoint detection and response (EDR) and access to one of the best-managed security operations centers (SOC) for complete protection.

Even with all of this said, we’ve barely scratched the surface. Simply put, VSA is the most powerful and easy-to-use RMM solution on the market today. Dive into the power of VSA now and make your IT management a breeze! Click here for a FREE demo!

The post What Is RMM? Remote Monitoring & Management Definition appeared first on Kaseya.

Organizations need a unified endpoint management (UEM) solution that provides greater visibility into all endpoints for better device usage and health monitoring, vulnerabilities and patch management, cybersecurity, and all other essential IT functions. Read on to understand the significance of investing in a UEM and why it is an indispensable tool for organizations of all sizes. 

What is unified endpoint management (UEM)?

A UEM is a cloud-based (or on-premise) endpoint management solution that allows organizations to monitor, manage and secure all their endpoint devices from a single console, irrespective of the operating system or location. Compared to traditional mobile device management solutions, UEM tools pack a lot more punch, offering innovative features and capabilities to secure and manage diverse IT environments.

What is the objective of unified endpoint management?

By centralizing endpoint management, UEM enhances the scope of device administration and data security to a great extent. It improves several facets of IT management, such as threat detection, mitigation and remediation capabilities, security updates, software and OS deployment, patch management, logging, mobile device management, device compliance and remote-control options, to name a few. 

Why do we use unified endpoint management?

Relying on multiple endpoint management tools to manage and secure different endpoint devices in multiple locations increases the risk of inconsistencies and misconfigurations for organizations. With hybrid work culture becoming the norm, users switching between various devices to do their work, and enterprises incorporating IoT and other new technologies, UEM has become even more significant for organizations to monitor and manage endpoints efficiently and prevent security incidents. 

As the demand for endpoint management solutions surges, it is essential to learn about the different types of solutions available in the market and how UEM is a cut above the rest. 

What is the difference between endpoint management and unified endpoint management?

Unlike traditional endpoint management solutions that support only specific endpoints or operating systems, UEM is device- and OS-agnostic. It is the latest tool in a series of endpoint management tools with robust features that efficiently caters to modern enterprises’ remote IT management needs.

Here is a brief introduction to the evolution of endpoint management systems.

MDM vs. EMM vs. UEM

Mobile device management (MDM) solutions are among the earliest endpoint management tools that enable IT teams to undertake simple device management tasks, like configuring emails and applying security controls. However, MDM tools are more device-centric and do not provide comprehensive mobile application management (MAM) and mobile content management (MCM) features.

Enterprise mobility management (EMM) tools expand MDM’s capabilities by providing extensive MAM and MCM features, enabling users to balance optimal device usage and security. With EMM tools, organizations can provide secure access to company resources and undertake policy-based device management, data and document security and app customization. 

UEM is an integrated endpoint management system that enables organizations to meet all their IT needs, regardless of whether it’s endpoint management, monitoring, patching, security and more, through a centralized platform. It instantly reduces tool sprawl, eliminating the need to invest in different solutions for each task. Moreover, state-of-the-art UEM solutions, like Kaseya VSA, come equipped with automation capabilities that help automate mundane tasks, like patching and password resets, freeing up technician time and streamlining IT operations workflows. By implementing an endpoint solution, businesses can confidently meet today’s demands and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.

Read our blog to learn more about the difference between MDM, EMM and UEM. 

What are the features of unified endpoint management?

Some of the distinctive features of UEM are:

• Software and OS deployment: UEM solutions allow automated software and operating system deployment in all the devices across an organization’s network from a central console without any manual intervention.  
• Patch management and update installation: With UEM’s automatic patch management and update installation features, fixing a vulnerability across all endpoints within an organization’s network takes minutes.
• Policy enforcement: The centralized console in UEM software allows IT admins to enroll and preconfigure the managed devices and ensure that all the organizational policies are seamlessly enforced on all devices. The data isolation and application control capabilities of UEM help IT admins ensure that only authorized users get access to company resources.
• Threat detection and mitigation: As device monitoring becomes efficient with UEM software, it enables early detection of threats, enabling organizations to mitigate them before they cause any damage. 
• Identity and access management: UEM solutions come with in-built or integrated multifactor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) features, enabling users to authenticate only once after the device has been offline for a set period rather than trying to open a new app each time. While this ensures security, it makes accessing resources easy for users, thus aiding productivity.

What are the benefits of unified endpoint management?

These features enable UEM software to offer a variety of benefits to organizations, such as:

• Improved visibility: Through a single interface, UEM significantly improves visibility across all endpoint devices and connected networks, allowing enterprises to monitor data usage, inventory, vulnerability systems and more. With continuous visibility, security teams can detect and mitigate possible threats before they harm the organization.
• Valuable insights: UEM solutions generate massive volumes of endpoint device data. Analyzing this data enables organizations to make data-driven business decisions and improve productivity. 
• Enhanced user experience: A fragmented IT environment is defined by tools that barely integrate, which limits visibility into the complete IT environment. Moreover, technicians spend a lot of time switching between apps, which slows down work and makes completing simple jobs a hassle. UEM solutions with centralized consoles provide complete visibility into IT environments, helping technicians eliminate problems before they occur and improving user experience. 
• IT cost reduction: By automating many IT processes and tasks, including endpoint auditing, provisioning and data loss functions, UEM solutions reduce overhead costs and hardware expenses.
• BYOD support: UEM solutions enable users to self-enroll and have their devices provisioned automatically to be productive from the outset.
• Compliance support: At a time when organizations have to adhere to multiple compliance regulations that keep changing regularly, UEM ensures that all devices in an organization remain up to date and compliant with the necessary regulations. 
• Simplified onboarding: With a simplified device enrollment and configuration process, UEM enables users to start using the device with better baselining quickly. 
• Fortified IT security: UEM helps enforce security policies at various levels to ensure a strict organization-wide defense policy against all threats. Besides, IT admins can provide personalized access to corporate data and specific applications according to location, usage patterns and business roles, enhancing cyberdefense even further.

Enhance network security with unified endpoint management from Kaseya

With the growing number of endpoints, organizations need a modern approach to managing IT that simplifies endpoint complexity while providing in-depth security. Kaseya VSA 10 is a leading UEM platform that combines endpoint and network management, reducing the cost of licensing different solutions and the associated headaches of managing multiple vendor relationships.

With VSA 10, you can:

• Get enhanced visibility into your new areas, including cloud (e.g., laaS, PaaS, and SaaS), legacy infrastructure (e.g., computers, network, storage and clients) and applications.
• Get Discovery and Audit capabilities that always provide current information, regardless of whether devices are online or offline.
• Streamline workflows and receive consolidated tracking and reporting for compliance.
• Improve operational productivity and service levels through IT automation.
• Achieve a role-based, bird’s eye view of infrastructure monitoring.

To see the capabilities of VSA 10, book your demo today!  

The post Unified Endpoint Management (UEM): Why It Is Indispensable for Modern IT Environments appeared first on Kaseya.

What is the difference between MDM, EMM and UEM?

MDM is the first step to managing mobile devices within an organization. It provides simple and straightforward management of devices. In contrast, EMM takes a broader approach by managing not only mobile devices but the entire mobile ecosystem within an enterprise, including applications and content. UEM represents an evolution beyond MDM and EMM, addressing the management of various endpoint devices, including mobile devices, laptops, desktops, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and even virtual machines from one place.

Let’s begin by looking at each concept individually since knowing how each one works will also make understanding their differences easier.

What is MDM (mobile device management)?

In today’s tech-driven workplaces, MDM solutions have become indispensable for IT departments for managing, monitoring and securing all mobile devices used for work, whether company-provided or personally owned. According to a study, on average, an employee uses 2.5 devices at work. With employees seamlessly switching between computers, smartphones and tablets, administrators need a bird’s eye view of the complete environment.

With MDM solutions, administrators can effortlessly enroll new devices into the system, configure settings and ensure that each one complies with security and compliance standards. By allowing administrators to install, update and remove apps remotely, MDM solutions also offer a seamless way to manage applications and content across the mobile ecosystem.

Companies can even take control by implementing kiosk mode. This means employees can only access specific work-related apps, eliminating distractions, ensuring security and maximizing productivity. Real-time tracking of device performance is another game changer, enabling better resource allocation and cost optimization.

Among the many perks of using an MDM solution, security is a major one. With location tracking, remote data wiping, encryption enforcement and robust authentication, MDM solution shields businesses from cyberthreats and unauthorized access. By enabling web security policies on devices, companies can block access to blocklisted sites and prevent malicious downloads.

With MDM solutions in their arsenal, organizations can navigate the complexities of mobile device management efficiently and securely.

What is EMM (enterprise mobility management)?

As mobile and wireless devices became more prevalent in the workplace, integration between applications and platforms increased, making IT environments more complex. This ever-changing landscape necessitated a new breed of advanced solutions. Typically, an EMM solution provides all the functionalities of an MDM solution and more.

While MDM shines in device monitoring and management, EMM takes it one step further by giving equal importance to device, application and content monitoring, control and security. MDM and EMM solutions differ in the scope of mobile application management (MAM) and mobile content management (MCM). In this regard, the capabilities of EMM solutions run deeper, making it the go-to choice for managing complex IT environments. Where an MDM solution might provide basic content access and encryption, an EMM solution excels with secure file sharing, document collaboration and seamless content synchronization services.

Even on the device front, MDM solutions take charge of the usual suspects like laptops, tablets and smartphones, but EMM steps up to the plate, expanding the reach to cover devices like wireless printers, scanners and more. While MDM solutions laid the foundation, EMM solutions offer a more comprehensive range of services and features for effectively managing and securing mobile devices in an enterprise setting.

What is UEM (unified endpoint management)?

Today, the number and variety of devices has reached unprecedented levels. Think laptops to tablets, Internet of Things (IoT) gadgets, virtual machines and cloud infrastructures to biometric security devices — the complexity of managing IT infrastructures has skyrocketed. IT administrators need a solution to help them seamlessly monitor, manage and secure this vast digital landscape from a single point of control. The winner: unified endpoint management. Its all-encompassing capabilities make managing and securing today’s diverse and complex environments effortless for overworked and busy IT technicians.

Compared to an MDM or EMM solution, UEM solutions provide far more visibility into the IT environment and the capability to manage every device and endpoint under the sun. With a UEM solution, IT administrators gain a near-superhuman ability to monitor, set policies, deploy software updates and enforce ironclad security measures — regardless of the device, endpoint or operating system in question.

Moreover, top-of-the-line UEM solutions offer automation of common tasks, reducing the technician-to-endpoint ratio significantly and relieving overburdened technicians and service desk personnel from crushing work overloads. This added flexibility allows them to focus on critical business objectives, unleashing their true potential.

When it comes to cybersecurity, UEM solutions have a lot to offer. Kaseya VSA, a best-in-class UEM solution with game-changing features, such as fire-and-forget patching, configuration hardening and automated ransomware detection and remediation, also acts as the first line of defense, providing companies with the vital layer of protection to keep cyberthreats at bay.

UEM solution gives companies and IT administrators unmatched control over their and their client’s IT environments, helping them supercharge efficiency and productivity.

MDM vs. EMM vs. UEM: In summary

Although similar in many aspects, each solution is designed to benefit a certain type of IT environment more than others cost-effectively. Here is a handy comparison of their differences:

MDM, EMM or UEM: Which is the right solution for your business?

Choosing an MDM, EMM or UEM tool will depend on various factors, including your business requirements, device environment, security and compliance needs, integration requirements and cost. Let’s look at each solution and the environment it would be best suited to.

When to choose MDM?

MDM is the perfect solution for businesses that don’t have a complex IT system but have a large fleet of mobile devices that need ongoing management. Think of an educational institute with straightforward requirements, such as easy content distribution, security policies implementation, and timely patching and updating of devices used by students and faculty. Instead of opting for more expensive EMM or UEM solutions, an MDM solution fits the bill perfectly for these setups.

Furthermore, companies with a mobile workforce made up of field technicians, sales representatives and delivery personnel can leverage the device tracking feature to gain visibility and ensure seamless operations on the go. Even small businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors, managing a limited number of mobile devices for point-of-sale transactions, customer engagement and inventory management, find MDM a reliable and practical solution for their needs.

When to choose EMM?

If your environment consists of a diverse range of devices and operating systems (iOS, Android, Linux, Windows) and you also have a BYOD policy, then an EMM or UEM solution would serve you well. An EMM solution offers more streamlined and collaborative management of your mobile environment over an MDM solution with enhanced application management and content management features to its credit.

Take the example of a midsized financial services business that uses custom or business-specific applications and stores sensitive customer information. This organization can utilize the MAM and MCM features in an EMM solution to secure and protect customer data while ensuring specialized apps run smoothly.

When to choose UEM?

UEM is the ultimate powerhouse among mobile devices and endpoint management solutions. Unlike traditional approaches, UEM is not limited by devices or operating systems. It provides the ability to monitor, manage and secure any real or virtual endpoint, ensuring the utmost safety and control over your IT environment. This makes UEM an ideal choice for companies managing a large and growing device landscape, a distributed workforce, undertaking digital transformations and seeking to improve IT efficiency cost-efficiently.

Scalability is another significant advantage of UEM solutions. If your business experiences highly cyclical demand patterns, UEM can effortlessly adapt to your needs without missing a beat. Additionally, for organizations with stringent security guidelines, UEM becomes a trusted ally, providing the necessary features to enforce robust security measures across all endpoints.

UEM is future-proof, capable of accommodating emerging technologies and staying ahead of the curve.

Manage mobility and endpoints with Kaseya

What if we told you that a single solution offers everything you could ever need for endpoint management? The first and truly unified endpoint solution — Kaseya VSA 10 — lets you manage not one, two or three types of endpoints but any endpoint, device or system you can put your finger on.

Imagine automating tasks you never thought possible, boosting your security through set-and-forget patching, hardened configurations and native ransomware detection. Moreover, our revolutionary solution treats each device as first class, ensuring a robust and high-functioning infrastructure. Increase your IT efficiency by at least 25% and embrace the power to achieve more with less effort.

Experience the future of IT management by signing up for a demo of VSA today.

The post How Are MDM, EMM and UEM Solutions Different? appeared first on Kaseya.

However, not every organization’s IT team is in a position to meet the rising demand for efficient remote monitoring and management (RMM) of their evolving endpoints, such as virtual machines (VMs), IoT devices and cloud infrastructure. To thrive, organizations must implement unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) tools that go beyond the current concept of RMM, where only traditional devices and endpoints are managed.

This blog post explores the significance of RMM and how mobile device management solutions can drive unified management of all endpoints.

What is mobile device management?

With a staggering 2.2 million cyberattacks on mobile devices reported in 2022, the need for a robust solution has never been more critical. Mobile device management (MDM) solutions are a cornerstone of visibility, monitoring and control that help IT teams effortlessly manage and safeguard their ever-increasing portfolio of endpoints.

An MDM solution is a primary software tool that enables IT teams to manage, configure and secure all mobile endpoints they own or have access to, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and IoT devices. It provides centralized control and overview of all mobile endpoints, allowing IT teams to enforce security policies, deploy applications, track devices and even troubleshoot issues remotely.

The goal of an MDM solution is to strike a balance between management, productivity and policy compliance. This helps organizations ensure that their mobile devices are secure and compliant while data breach risks are mitigated.

Why does mobile device management matter?

As the lines between personal and professional devices blur, organizations must recognize the risks associated with unmanaged devices. Mobile devices, especially those used by C-level executives, such as CEOs, are perfect attack vectors for cybercriminals since they have privileged access to sensitive corporate data. Simultaneously, IT departments are grappling with the sudden surge of mobile device usage without additional resources or budgetary allocations.

MDM solutions help an organization proactively handle the growing responsibility of device management, fortify against cyberthreats and ensure compliance. It empowers organizations to implement security measures and formulate policies that effectively streamline endpoint management workflows.

What kind of businesses need their IT teams to manage their mobile devices?

While it may soon become a norm, an increasing number of businesses either accept that they need MDM solutions or realize that what they have in place is insufficient. With that in mind, the need for IT departments to manage mobile devices, such as phones, iPads and loT devices, extends across various industries that rely heavily on them for field work, such as construction, telecom, education and event marketing companies. In heavily regulated industries, such as finance, healthcare and government institutions, where securing sensitive information is a top priority, it is imperative that organizations implement robust MDM solutions to safeguard themselves from threats and comply with industry regulations.

Use cases of mobile device management

With more employees becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones and tablets to perform daily tasks, MDM solutions are becoming more critical for organizations of all sizes. MDM solutions encompass a range of key use cases that effectively tackle the challenges organizations face in managing and securing mobile devices. These use cases include:

• Asset management/tracking

Organizations can effectively manage and track their mobile device inventory with MDM solutions. By having access to information such as device models, operating systems and software versions, organizations can keep track of their devices, monitor usage and stay compliant.

• Lost mode and remote secure erase

In the event of a lost or stolen device, MDM solutions enable IT technicians to activate “lost mode” to protect sensitive data remotely. It allows users to lock the device, display a custom message and track its location. If necessary, IT technicians can initiate a “remote secure erase,” wiping all data from the device to prevent unauthorized access.

• Application control and patch management

MDM solutions help IT teams enforce security policies that control the installation and usage of applications on managed devices. It can be configured to allow or block specific applications, ensuring that devices run the latest software updates and patches. This enhances an organization’s security posture and helps mitigate the risk of vulnerable applications.

• Remote troubleshooting

MDM solutions simplify troubleshooting processes by providing remote access to managed devices. IT technicians can remotely diagnose and resolve issues, configure device settings and push necessary updates. Thus, MDM solutions help reduce downtime, improve productivity and streamline support processes.

Key benefits of mobile device management solutions

The complexity of modern endpoint management makes MDM solutions an invaluable asset for businesses. Here are the key benefits MDM has to offer:

• Enhanced data security and compliance

With ever-increasing cyberthreats, implementing MDM solutions ensures an additional layer of security, protecting businesses from breaches and data loss. It enables organizations to deploy authentication, access control and encryption measures that enforce industry standards and regulations.

• Increased productivity and user experience

MDM solutions improve user experiences by providing secure access to necessary applications and data. This, in turn, delivers a seamless user experience and boosts productivity. MDM solutions also make it easy for companies to remotely deploy new apps and updates, ensuring that users’ mobile devices are constantly updated with the latest software versions.

• Efficient troubleshooting support

MDM solutions streamline device and application management, which reduces maintenance costs and deployment times. With centralized visibility, it enables IT teams to identify and resolve mobile device issues swiftly. As a result, organizations have lesser downtime, avoid costly on-site visits and improve troubleshooting efficiency.

• Reduced costs associated with lost or stolen devices

By using MDM solutions, organizations can remotely lock down or wipe any lost or stolen device to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive business data, reducing the cost of potential data breaches or fines associated with non-compliance.

Experience the future of unified device management with VSA

The rapid proliferation of connected endpoints has made bring your own device (BYOD) or hybrid approaches the de facto work models of today’s enterprise landscape. That’s why businesses need a tool to manage it all.

Leading the way is Kaseya VSA, a next-generation uRMM solution that helps maximize IT operational efficiency with complete IT asset discovery, monitoring and management.
Whether it’s iPhones, iPads, VMs or IoT devices, VSA helps organizations achieve seamless device management across various endpoints with a unified RMM vision. It offers complete visibility and functionality organizations need to manage all of their IT assets in a single UI. This gives IT teams greater control of every endpoint and device on the network, resulting in faster resolution of IT incidents, efficient service delivery and better uptime.

VSA also seamlessly integrates with essential IT solutions, like documentation, messaging and BI tools. While VSA currently only supports iOS devices, Android device management capabilities will be introduced in late Q4, further establishing its identity as a truly unified remote monitoring and management solution.

Conclusion

Today, IT technicians face unprecedented challenges from increasing cyberthreats, aging infrastructure, digital transformation initiatives and work-from-home support demands. Budgets and resources, however, are more limited than ever.

Don’t let your organization be vulnerable — embrace the future of RMM with Kaseya VSA, the ultimate solution for unified device management. A true uRMM solution, VSA enables organizations to discover, visualize and manage everything from a single UI. Get centralized control, streamlined productivity and enhanced device security across every endpoint.

Want to learn more about the powerful uRMM solution, Kaseya VSA? Request a demo today.

The post How Mobile Device Management Helps in Unified Management of Endpoints appeared first on Kaseya.

What is mobile device management?

Fundamentally, MDM is an IT process implemented using an MDM tool to ensure the efficient and secure management of all mobile devices that have access to corporate data and networks.

Mobile devices like smartphones, laptops and tablets are ubiquitous in the corporate world and preferred over bulky desktops due to the flexibility afforded by their portability. About 71% of IP traffic in 2022 was from wireless and mobile devices, while wired devices accounted for only 29%. However, this very advantage also poses security risks since administrators need to ensure that all the devices and applications get updated with vulnerabilities patched even if the device is being used remotely. Also, what happens if a device gets lost or stolen? While mobile devices used for work are one issue, businesses must also manage their IoT devices, such as access and security systems.

An MDM solution helps businesses address all these security risks while aiding user experience and productivity.

Why is mobile device management important?

Even a small business with only a few hundred employees has thousands of devices connecting to the company’s network and database daily. The average number of devices per person has gone up to 3.6 over the past five years. MDM tools help IT administrators conveniently manage the rapidly expanding world of mobile devices even as resources and budgets for technicians remain the same.
Using an MDM tool, technicians can easily implement security policies on all corporate mobile devices, including users’ personal devices enrolled under the bring your own device (BYOD) program. The solution provides complete visibility into the IT infrastructure and helps technicians discover every device that connects to the network almost instantly. They can then access the device remotely to configure it, deploy security policies, change settings, reset passwords, troubleshoot glitches and even remediate security issues in real time.

Even on a regular day when there aren’t any security threats scaring everyone off, IT administrators have to field tickets from users, patch operating systems and applications, and undertake all sorts of tinkering to ensure the devices stay in top shape. No prizes for guessing that they manage all this with the help of an MDM tool. Moreover, updating applications allows users to benefit from the latest technologies, improving user experience and productivity.

How does mobile device management work?

In the case of new employees joining a company, their work device, whether company-provided or personal, is enrolled in the MDM program. The first step is installing an MDM agent on the device, which can even happen remotely, thus ensuring the device meets security standards and aligns with the company’s policies right from the get-go. Once the MDM agent is in place, the IT department configures the device according to the established security protocols. They install the necessary work applications, set up password requirements and grant user access permissions based on individual profiles.

How does MDM help keep track of policy breaches? The IT team receives alerts whenever a user breaks security protocols by accessing blocklisted applications or websites or when suspicious activity like unauthorized access is detected on the device. Once the alarm goes off, administrators can immediately enact the appropriate security procedure remotely and nip the problem in the bud, shielding the company from potential harm. In the event of a lost or stolen device, the IT department can remotely wipe out sensitive data, ensuring it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

How do the IT teams manage multiple devices at once? They make user groups based on various criteria and access permissions, allowing them to efficiently deploy updates and implement changes across a large group of devices with just a single click.

What is mobile device management software?

MDM software gives companies a way to track all corporate mobile devices centrally. It also helps automate routine tasks, such as patching and monitoring, reducing manual errors and making processes efficient. Some common tasks that IT teams undertake using an MDM are:

• Remotely managing, monitoring and securing devices and distributing applications, updates and content in a timely fashion.
• Keeping inventory of all the hardware, software and applications in use because what cannot be seen cannot be managed.
• Segregating the company network into subnets and spreading the data across them. This lowers internal and external security risks since employees only have access to the necessary data.
• Providing robust virtual private network (VPN) connection to ensure safe connectivity to home or other networks.
• Enabling device tracking so data can be recovered or wiped if the device is lost or stolen.
• Facilitating a flexible work environment for employees so they work from anywhere without a hassle.
• Boosting employee productivity by facilitating BYOD usage.

Key features to look for in a mobile device management software

Before selecting a mobile device management software, it’s crucial to consider the following key features:

Device and data security

Data encryption is imperative to protect confidential information from unauthorized access and malicious hackers. Data should not only be encrypted when being transmitted but also when stored on the device. Security of devices is equally crucial, which can be enforced by requiring users to set up strong passwords and use biometric access when possible. Despite preventive measures, devices can succumb to security lapses or go missing. For such cases, the MDM solution should have a fail-safe mechanism to remotely wipe out data, so your company’s secrets remain safe regardless of the circumstances.

Application management and integration

Application management involves distributing, configuring and updating work applications across all corporate devices while tracking proper usage. Automated app management helps quickly onboard new users while ensuring current users always have access to the most recent version of their apps. Application management also looks into the fact that only trusted applications get the green light for download. Last but not least, a good MDM solution should be able to harness the power of integration to streamline operations, boost productivity and supercharge your business.

Access management

The goal of access management is to uphold the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data and systems by controlling and regulating access. Your MDM solution should help with:

• Identity and access management: This entails granting access to devices, data and networks based on user profiles. By defining user roles and permissions, MDM solutions allow administrators to precisely control who can access what, ensuring sensitive information remains protected.
• Profile management: MDM solutions simplify device enrollment and streamline user roles assignment so IT administrators can efficiently deploy policies to entire user groups, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Secure network access: MDM solutions bolster network security by implementing VPN technology. This ensures that all data transmitted over the network, whether through home Wi-Fi or public networks, is encrypted, safeguarding it from potential hackers and intruders.

Content management

You should be able to streamline the complete content management lifecycle, from creation to distribution and archival using your MDM solution. Besides granular permissions and access controls that define who can view, edit or share content, your solution should also provide features like version control and document tracking, enabling organizations to track changes, manage revisions and maintain a complete audit trail of content activities. This ensures greater security, data integrity, and swift identification and resolution of content-related issues.

Configuration management

The restrictions and configurations feature in MDM solutions safeguards the security of corporate data and devices while enforcing corporate policies. Your MDM tool should give IT administrators remote management capabilities, enabling them to configure mobile devices based on geographic regions, user profiles and identities, and deploy essential settings, such as VPN and Wi-Fi.

Conversely, restrictions are crucial in setting up devices in single-app or kiosk mode, ensuring they are solely used for productive work and not for personal purposes. The feature enhances productivity and reinforces security by protecting against potential distractions and unauthorized access.

BYOD support

Many companies offer BYOD options for benefits like quick onboarding, increased employee satisfaction and productivity through device freedom. The right MDM solution should help you harness the advantages of BYOD while maintaining control and security. It should enable the implementation of a comprehensive BYOD policy that sets clear expectations and guidelines for promoting efficiency and protecting sensitive data.

Device inventory, monitoring and diagnostics

Device inventory enables efficient tracking of all devices in use, whether company-owned or BYOD. It includes tracking details such as device specifications, location, warranty status and security settings.

Device monitoring capabilities help administrators ensure that work devices are used exclusively for company business, preventing personal usage that can strain network resources. Additionally, location restrictions can be enforced to limit device functionality to defined geographical areas or company networks thus enhancing security.

The device diagnostics feature empowers administrators to remotely detect and troubleshoot devices ensuring uninterrupted productivity.

Remote maintenance, updates and patching

In the era of hybrid work and round-the-clock availability, an MDM solution is vital for enabling over-the-air updates, configurations and device diagnostics. This will help your business minimize downtime and optimize operations at lower costs.

Tech support and training

Before investing in a solution, check if it supports a wide range of devices and operating systems rather than being limited to, let say, Apple devices and iOS operating systems. It’s ideal to have a solution that covers all bases such as Android and Windows solutions too. Secondly, ensure that the vendor can troubleshoot issues remotely, so you don’t have to spend hours dealing with MDM downtime. Lastly, don’t forget to evaluate the product hands-on. By carefully assessing these factors, you can ensure that you make an informed choice and find an MDM solution that aligns with your organization’s needs.

Admin reporting

Reporting plays a crucial role in maintaining data security and monitoring user activity within an MDM solution. It notifies administrators of any suspicious data downloads or uploads, enabling the tracking of potential data breaches and allowing for proactive action before valuable information is compromised. Furthermore, reporting gives administrators visibility into user activity, ensuring compliance with company policies and guidelines.

How does mobile device management compare to similar concepts?

Mobile device management is often confused with similar concepts such as mobile application management (MAM), unified endpoint management (UEM) and enterprise mobility management (EMM). We have demystified the differences between the concepts in this section.

Mobile application management (MAM)

MAM tools were developed in response to employees’ demands for security and privacy when using their own devices at work. In contrast to MDM tools, MAM tools are solely focused on specific applications rather than complete security and management of devices. A MAM solution helps create an enterprise app store, and only the apps within the store are monitored and updated remotely.

Unified endpoint management (UEM)

UEM is the next generation of endpoint management that helps organizations centrally manage and secure all endpoints, including desktops, laptops, mobile devices and IoT devices. It provides visibility and control over all your network devices (SNMP), virtual environments, cloud, mobile and even IoT. This basically enables you to “manage everything,” streamline your IT operations and do more with less. Deploying a UEM tool is easy, and as more devices get added to the network, scaling it is even simpler.

Enterprise mobility management (EMM)

EMM tools are designed to address the growing security needs of companies while accommodating employees’ demands for BYOD access. By seamlessly integrating with network directory services, EMM tools provide a range of benefits, including policy compliance, application customization and data security. One key advantage of EMM is its ability to combine the functionalities of both MDM and MAM tools.

What are the best practices for mobile device management?

Here are a set of best practices to follow to make the most of your MDM tool:

Implement strong policies

Strong policies should encompass rules for device usage, password complexity, data encryption and other relevant aspects. Additionally, organizations must establish policies that specify the criteria for enrolling, updating and managing devices. It’s equally important to have a well-defined plan for removing devices and applications from the network when they are no longer needed or those belonging to the denylist.

Prioritize password security

To enhance security, implement multifactor authentication for all devices and accounts and ensure that users regularly update passwords for each account. Enforce password expiration policies and monitor access attempts to detect any unauthorized activity. It would help to utilize a password manager to store and manage passwords securely. As an additional layer of security, encourage employees to use biometric authentication whenever possible.

Actively monitor devices

Regularly review and manage permissions and settings to keep track of who has access to sensitive information and periodically update access permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access the data. You can significantly reduce the risk of data compromise by limiting the number of applications users can download on their device and ensuring the downloaded applications meet the allowlist criteria.

Utilize a backup solution

Regularly backing up your files and data is crucial to safeguard against technical glitches, crashes or cyberattacks. By having reliable backups, you can quickly restore data and minimize disruptions, ensuring smooth continuity of work for users.

Focus on user experience

Leverage your MDM solution to strike a balance between offering users a seamless experience and effectively monitoring device usage. By maintaining a firm but non-intrusive approach, you can encourage employees to follow policies and work productively.

Update regularly and often

Ensure that your MDM solution, along with all other devices and applications on the network, is regularly patched and updated. Also, keep a close eye on users who delay updating their operating systems, particularly for BYOD devices, since this can create vulnerabilities that cybercriminals are quick to exploit.

What are the benefits of mobile device management?

MDM solutions offer a range of benefits that contribute to the overall success of an organization.

Enhanced security

An MDM solution acts as a shield, defending against unforeseen cyberattacks, bugs and breaches that can compromise the privacy and security of a company’s data and networks.

Since mobile devices are often used for personal purposes as well, creating secure containers to separate company and personal data adds an extra layer of security. By enforcing strict application policies, such as allowlists and denylists, MDM solutions act as gatekeepers against rogue apps. MDM solutions also sniff out jailbreak attempts and identify malware, ensuring your devices remain untainted by malicious forces.

Increased productivity

MDM solutions unlock employee productivity and efficiency from the get-go. With pre-configured devices, users can skip the hassle of setting up their devices or seeking IT assistance. It’s a seamless experience that empowers them to hit the ground running and maximize their work hours. Embracing the BYOD or choose your own device (CYOD) trend, MDM taps into users’ comfort zone and supercharges productivity. No more time waste navigating unfamiliar interfaces or searching for elusive files and folders. Lastly, by automating the laborious tasks of monitoring and managing a fleet of mobile devices, MDM frees technicians for higher-level tasks.

Cost savings

MDM is a game changer for small and medium-sized organizations, offering a solution to secure devices without breaking the bank or hiring a dedicated IT guru. The MDM solution helps you save money by preventing the need to continually buy new devices or deal with the headache of replacing them. Instead, MDM streamlines device management for optimal performance and protection from potential threats.

Application and device control

MDM offers organizations unparalleled visibility into their device landscape, providing valuable data and insights. IT teams gain a comprehensive understanding of device usage and security levels to drive effective risk management.

Regulatory compliance

With MDM, IT administrators can set up automated processes to regularly scan devices for vulnerabilities and deploy necessary security patches and updates. This streamlines the process and ensures compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, ELD and CJIS.

What are the challenges of mobile device management?

While MDM solutions offer numerous advantages, organizations should be aware of the potential challenges they may encounter when implementing and using MDM.

BYOD maintenance

Implementing a BYOD program can enhance productivity and save costs, but it comes with challenges. Choosing an MDM solution that supports a variety of devices is vital for enhanced security. This also enables seamless integration of personal devices with company resources and aids productivity and compliance.

Increasing complexity

MDM solutions can be complex to set up and maintain, requiring specialized expertise. Managing diverse device ecosystems, including iOS, Android, Windows and Linux, adds another layer of complexity. To overcome these challenges, choose user-friendly MDM solutions with comprehensive support and seek vendors offering cross-platform compatibility.

User privacy and friendliness

Despite many valuable features provided by many MDM solutions, they often lack intuitive interfaces, impeding basic tasks like app installations and data backups. Opt for a solution that is easy to use so your administrators can implement policies without disturbing the end user or compromising on security.

Application management and integration

One of the biggest culprits of cybersecurity issues is unauthorized app downloads. Setting strict app download policies lets you keep your network safe from potential threats. Be vigilant and only allow low-threat apps on your users’ devices. Talking about integration — although Apple, Google or Microsoft may offer innovative MDM solutions, they usually do not support third-party apps. Trade-offs like this are not desirable and should be avoided.

Manage mobile devices effectively with Kaseya

Finding a solution that provides all the benefits and features listed above without compromising on challenges is hard but not impossible. You don’t even have to go anywhere searching for it. With Kaseya VSA, our unified remote monitoring and management solution, you can rock the task of mobile device management with ease. Regardless of whether it’s organization’s own or employee-owned mobile device(s) — with VSA, you’ll be ready to manage them easily and securely via your Kaseya console. Monitor, manage and secure iPhones and iPads today (Android device management will be coming to VSA at a later date).

Join the league of IT superstars by scheduling a demo today.

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According to Mordor Intelligence, the Enterprise Mobility Management market was valued at $5.79 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $11.96 billion by 2026.

The purpose of this blog is to discuss enterprise mobility management, related tools, and how companies can use them to protect their data and employees from cyberthreats.

What Is Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)?

Presently, when mobile devices are the preferred tool at work, EMM is becoming a critical IT requirement. Smartphones and tablets have become much more advanced in recent years and offer numerous features that make them ideal for several business tasks. They also offer employees the convenience to work from anywhere and at any time. However, if not managed properly, they can put a company’s data and network security at risk. Therefore, companies need EMM solutions that let IT teams manage mobile devices across multiple platforms such as iOS, Android and Windows 10.

EMM solutions come with a set of tools and features that let IT teams monitor, control and manage mobile devices for enhanced security. Typically, an EMM tool offers solutions like mobile device management (MDM), mobile applications management (MAM), mobile content management (MCM) and mobile identity (MIM). Having access to both mobility and security services ensures that employees can access company applications, tools and data at any time without putting the integrity of the device or network at risk.

The Evolution of Enterprise Mobility Management

The roots of EMM tools date back to the early 2000s when Blackberry phones became hugely popular in the business world for bringing email to mobile devices. Businesses purchased these phones in large numbers to expand their mobile device infrastructure. It enabled companies to boost productivity through wireless capabilities. But it also necessitated the need for a mobile device management (MDM) tool to secure the various Blackberry models in use. You can think of MDM as a simple predecessor of the sophisticated EMM tools of today.

As iPhones and Android phones became more available, employees found they offered better functionality and connectivity than Blackberry devices and began using them for work purposes. Due to the consumerization of IT, employees started asking companies to let them use the same devices for both work and personal use, triggering the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) wave.

Companies realized that allowing (BYOD) had many benefits. It enhanced employee productivity, efficiency and happiness, while also simplifying and reducing IT costs. It was a win-win situation for everyone. 

A combination of the BYOD phenomenon and an expanding smartphone apps market led to the creation of mobile application management tools (MAMs) that managed the security and functionality of business apps. Over the years, MDM and MAM tools got coupled with mobile content management (MCM) and mobile identity management (MIM) features to provide enterprises with a more comprehensive mobile device management tool. 

In other words, an EMM solution, as we know it today, is an integrated set of single-feature mobile device management tools such as MDM and MAM. IT teams store business data and applications in containers on mobile devices that can be managed and secured remotely via an EMM tool. Nowadays, mobile device operating systems provide native device management support, commoditizing the EMM industry.

What Companies Need Enterprise Mobility? 

Enterprise mobility refers to the system where employees can work remotely and use whichever devices they choose. This system leverages cloud technology to share business applications and data wirelessly. Now, more than ever before, companies need a robust enterprise mobility framework to ensure business continuity under all circumstances. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to be prepared for all contingencies. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), the number of mobile workers in the U.S. will continue to grow over the next four years from 78.5 million in 2020 to 93.5 million in 2024. IDC expects mobile workers to make up more than 60% of the total U.S. workforce at the end of its forecast period.

Business organizations are increasingly adopting enterprise mobility systems because they help reduce costs, increase productivity and offer employees better work-life balance. This framework is likely to benefit companies interested in switching permanently to a remote or hybrid working environment. It ensures that employee onboarding, training, data sharing and transferring, and collaboration activities can occur remotely and safely. Additionally, enterprise mobility frameworks can also help streamline and secure a blended work environment where employees work across different locations and time zones.

How Does Enterprise Mobility Management Work? 

Companies use EMM tools to monitor work-related applications and data on mobile devices owned by their employees. This helps protect enterprise data while safeguarding the privacy of employers.

With an EMM tool, device enrollments can be done in bulk both on-premise and remotely, saving the IT team time, effort and cost associated with individual sign-ups. Companies can even send SMS and email invitations to employees and have them self-enroll in the company’s BYOD or enterprise mobility management program. 

Using an EMM tool, companies can remotely implement security policies, change device settings and remove data and apps used for work. In addition, the tool allows IT professionals to wipe out sensitive business data in case a device is lost, stolen, hacked or damaged, without deleting personal data.

EMM tools combine a multitude of features and are improved continuously to meet the changing demands of businesses. EMM tools, as we know them today, are essentially amalgamated and upgraded versions of the single-feature mobile management tools of the past. While EMM tools offer holistic security and management for mobile devices used for work, when you look closely, you will see that these tools consist of many individual features, each focused on a specific aspect of mobile device management. Let’s take a closer look at single EMM features that can be used independently or combined with other features to form a more effective EMM solution.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) 

MDM refers to managing all mobile devices employees use for work such as laptops, smartphones and tablets. It involves using MDM software to remotely manage the entire lifecycle of a mobile device and its operating systems like device inventory, configuration management and remote wipe.

An MDM console can configure and manage devices only after the devices have been enrolled in the server using vendor-specific enrollment programs, such as those offered by Apple, Google and Microsoft, or manually through QR codes, email and SMS. Once enrolled, a device can be configured and managed remotely. The MDM software can either run locally or in the cloud. MDM solutions available as Software-as-a-Service are cost-efficient, scalable and easy to manage.

Mobile Application Management (MAM) 

MAM involves deploying, monitoring and patching enterprise mobile applications that employees use for work. IT professionals can deploy security and corporate policies on business apps and segregate them from personal apps to limit the sharing of corporate data among them. 

A MAM solution also allows employees to access the necessary application from the enterprise app store remotely. App configuration, inventory management, application lifecycle management and software license management are tasks performed using a MAM solution. In the event of a security issue, it can also help remove applications.

Mobile Content Management (MCM)

Employees need to access company data on their devices to be productive. MCM tools enable employees to access, share and store work files on their mobile devices without sacrificing security. An MCM can help determine access rights each employee has to the company’s data and network. By restricting access, companies can isolate the affected areas of their network during a cyberattack, saving the rest of the IT infrastructure from getting taken over. A good MCM solution will also integrate seamlessly with productivity tools so employees can collaborate more effectively.

Mobile Identity Management (MIM)

Data is valuable, and only authorized individuals should have access to it. Companies must adopt a zero-trust security policy as their workforces become more mobile, distributed and remote. They can do this by asking employees to authenticate their identity each time they log into a company network. 

A MIM solution can restrict or deny access based on policies in the case of a potential security threat. It relies on multifactor authentication (MFA), biometrics or device-specific information to verify user identity. MIM goes beyond password management to perform identity checks.

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

While EMM followed in the footsteps of MDM and MAM, the next stage of development in the enterprise mobility management industry is the Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) tool.

Using a UEM tool, companies can manage mobile devices plus all endpoints like servers, PCs, printers, wearables and IoT devices connected to the corporate network. Companies do not need to invest in an EMM tool separately if they have a UEM tool. It reduces IT costs and increases the IT department’s ability to manage devices on a company’s network from a single console.

What Is the Importance of Enterprise Mobility Management? 

The business world faces a significant threat from cybercrime. Since people now work from different locations and use a range of devices and platforms to accomplish their tasks, steps must be taken to protect and secure business data to avoid organizational risks. 

Organizations can use EMM tools to provide employees with secure and safe access to work apps and data. The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that companies need to take steps to protect their employees, devices and data even outside secure office networks. A good EMM solution can be a valuable tool for the following reasons:

• Device Security: The cybersecurity threats a company potentially faces increase manifold as they add more devices to their network. Every connected device creates a node that threat actors can exploit to breach the digital perimeter of the company. With an EMM tool, companies can ensure that employees install an endpoint security solution on their device before registering it for the BYOD program or using it for work.Using an EMM solution, companies can monitor all systems on their network for unusual behavior that could indicate whether the device has fallen into the wrong hands. A company can limit the access of specific endpoints to its network and data with features like identity and access management and add another layer of security.

  Consider that according to the Verizon Mobile Security Index 2021 Report, more than half (54%) of the companies that had experienced a mobile-related security breach attribute the breach to user behavior such as falling for a phishing attack, downloading unapproved apps or making unintentional errors.

• Data Security: A stolen or lost mobile device can allow malicious agents to access a company’s network. As well as increasing the risk of data theft from the phone, it also increases the vulnerability of passwords saved on devices. With an EMM solution, your company’s IT team can remotely wipe corporate data stored on a lost or stolen device and use it to deploy location apps to find a misplaced device.

What Are the Benefits of Enterprise Mobility Management? 

By adding an EMM solution to the IT stack, companies can offer work flexibility to their employees and simultaneously protect themselves from modern and sophisticated cyberattacks. This section explains how EMM tools help businesses remain safe and secure while supporting agile enterprise structures.

• Better Control Over Mobile Data and Apps: When devices and work-related apps are not protected, hackers can exploit them and gain access to a company’s network. Using an EMM solution, companies can remotely manage devices and apps so that employees have access to the data and apps they need. The tool also ensures that data sharing takes place securely and that employees do not download apps that could pose a security risk. Additionally, the solution can be used to host a personal enterprise app store from which employees can download apps that have been verified for security.
• Supports BYOD Programs: According to the Verizon Mobile Security Index 2021 Report, more than one in three (36%) organizations opened access to corporate resources and systems to employees using personal devices — that’s on top of those that already allowed it.By using an EMM solution, companies can monitor and evaluate all BYOD resources from a single console. It allows them to act swiftly as soon as they learn about a device getting compromised. EMM solutions can provide businesses with the visibility they need to monitor external and internal threat actors, as well as ensure that their employees proactively adhere to their device policies.
• Improves Employee Productivity: Having access to company data and information anywhere and anytime helps employees respond to work tasks in real time and facilitates easy collaboration with peers. It also allows employees to use their own devices for work, with which they enjoy familiarity and comfort, and hence helps them produce better quality work in less turnaround time.

Who Uses Enterprise Mobility Management? 

Due to mobile devices, employees are no longer dependent on the office environment for work, which has improved productivity. Even though the needs of every company are different, EMM solutions will benefit companies that have a hybrid or remote work environment or employees who are always on the move. Let’s look at some industries where an EMM system would be a good fit.

• Healthcare: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many healthcare professionals provided consultation to patients over the phone. They shared prescription and test results over mobile devices. An EMM solution enables healthcare brands to secure patient communications while storing and sharing all patient information in a secure environment. Deloitte’s 2021 Connectivity and Mobile Trends Survey found that virtual medical visits enabled patients to receive quality care during the pandemic — drawing positive feedback from them.
• Construction: Most construction employees like architects, site managers and engineers are always in the field. With access to company tools and applications on mobile devices, they can share ideas, designs and tasks from the ground and check on inventory without visiting the office or the warehouses. This helps streamline the workflow and increase productivity.
• Retail: Equipping sales staff at retail outlets with mobile devices will help them personalize the user experience on hand and maintain better communication with inventory teams, warehouse teams and sales staff at other outlets.

Having an EMM Solution that supports BYOD policies can benefit many small and midsize businesses that wish to scale while keeping their costs low.

Implementing Enterprise Mobility Management 

An EMM policy will not only improve security for your business but will lay the groundwork for a BYOD policy that can reduce IT costs, make your employees more productive and the work culture more flexible. A structured roadmap is key to ensuring your EMM plan carries more advantages than disadvantages. Here’s how you can go about it:

• Permitted Devices: To make EMM management simple and easy, you must first decide which devices you will allow employees to use. You need to consider the device models and operating systems that best suit your business needs. It will also help you determine how often employees must upgrade their devices. Also, you should decide if you will be subsidizing the device purchase and paying a certain amount for its upkeep and repair. Maintaining a consistent standard will help you simplify policy decisions.
• Type of Enterprise Mobility Management Solution: The next question to consider is the type of EMM solution you should purchase. Do you want a tool that offers a whole host of features or specific features like MDM, MAM and such?
• Device Management and Registration: When the type of devices is selected, rules will need to be established about registering and adding them to the company’s IT directory. It is a good time to figure out how much and what kind of access will be given to employees based on their job roles. This policy area will also look into how much access the company will have to the device if it is used for personal use as well.
• Information Storage: Do employees have the option of downloading and storing company data on their devices in a secure container? Would data access be granted only via a cloud application that is accessible only after multiple authentications? The trick is to strike a balance between productivity and security.
• Compliance: The government has different compliance and mandates that industries must follow. Know the compliance requirements of your company and ensure that mobile management fits within the guidelines. Compliance with security standards is essential, especially when employees have access to confidential client or customer information.
• Risk Management: How will the company secure devices and data if they are lost or stolen? A step-by-step procedure must be outlined and well documented so that IT technicians are not entangled in looking for solutions.
• Policy Stakeholder Involvement: A company should ensure that stakeholders from across sectors participate in the implementation of an EMM policy. This will prevent policy conflicts and ensure everyone’s goals are met.

Strengthen Your Enterprise Mobility Management With Kaseya

With remote work set to become a permanent and prominent feature of work culture, companies must develop policies regarding the safe and secure use of personal devices at work. Read our comprehensive eBook “BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): A Comprehensive Guide” to understand how BYOD can benefit your employees and company, and what policies, guidelines and practices you should be mindful of when building a secure and productive BYOD program.

Kaseya VSA, an industry-leading unified remote monitoring and management (uRMM) solution, provides your business with a complete solution stack to maximize technician efficiency. VSA, combined with Cortado MDM solution, delivers a simple, fast and secure way for MSPs and SMBs to manage mobile devices from a single pane of glass. By combining device management into a single platform, VSA offers MSPs the opportunity to manage all the devices in their fleet from one scalable product. 

Kaseya VSA leverages the power of automation, threat detection and seamless integration with crucial business tools all from a single console. It helps businesses operate more efficiently by automating common IT processes and eliminating manual effort for routine tasks, ultimately freeing up time for your IT team to focus on more strategic projects. Find out more about how Kaseya VSA can boost operational efficiency and save you money.

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What Is Endpoint Management?

Endpoint management is the process that an organization follows to centrally discover, provision, monitor, troubleshoot and update endpoint devices. Organizations deploy endpoint management solutions to help them monitor, manage and secure all their endpoint devices from a single console.  

A comprehensive endpoint management solution enables you to enhance efficiency by automating routine IT processes such as patch management and server maintenance. It provides your IT team with complete visibility of your environment for more efficient IT management and quicker detection and resolution of incidents. 

In addition, an endpoint management solution provides enterprise-wide monitoring, alerting and automatic incident remediation. This shortens resolution time and improves system and service availability. You can monitor all infrastructure components, performance metrics (CPU, memory, disk space, uptime), processes and services, event logs, application and hardware changes, and more. 

The next-gen endpoint management solution helps IT teams discover, monitor and manage more than just traditional endpoints. It provides visibility and control over your network devices (SNMP), virtual environments, cloud, mobile and IoT. This next-gen endpoint management technology, which we call Unified Endpoint Management, basically enables you to “manage everything,” streamline your IT operations and do more with less. 

According to a report by Grand View Research, in 2019, the global market size of unified endpoint management was valued at $2.75 billion. In addition, this market is estimated to undergo an expansion at a compound annual growth rate of 32.2% from 2020 to 2027.

What Are Endpoint Devices?

The definition of an “endpoint” is evolving too. Traditional endpoints include servers, desktops and laptops. Now, endpoints encompass virtual machines (VMs), cloud infrastructure, mobile and IoT devices, as well as network devices. Common examples of endpoints and devices that must be regularly monitored and managed include:  

• Laptops, Desktops, Servers  
• Virtual Machines (VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, etc.) 
• Mobile Devices (Smartphones, Tablets) 
• Cloud Infrastructure (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) 
• Network Devices (Routers, Switches, Firewalls, Printers, etc.) 
• IoT Devices  

How Is Endpoint Management Accomplished?

Organizations accomplish endpoint management by deploying software solutions that help them discover and manage all the devices in their IT environment. Endpoint management tools help ensure that the systems and applications running on them have high availability, are up to date and secure. Asset management, IT automation, remote endpoint management (aka remote control) and patch management are the critical functions of typical endpoint management tools.  

A comprehensive endpoint management solution also helps you gain visibility and control over your entire IT environment. It helps IT teams identify, troubleshoot and resolve IT incidents faster to maintain system and service availability. A network topology map is an important feature in this process. It shows all endpoints and network devices as well their current up/down status, for example.

With a next-generation endpoint management solution, you can remotely monitor and manage everything from traditional endpoints (such as servers, laptops, desktops) to SNMP network devices and printers, virtual machines and more.

An endpoint management solution enables you to automate routine IT processes such as software patch management, and auto-remediate IT incidents. It should also allow you to manage backup and IT security functions, like AV/AM client deployment, from the endpoint management UI.

With endpoint management tools, you can implement IT automation by using agent procedures (scripts) and setting policies to standardize IT management best practices. In addition, you can also run scripts to auto-remediate IT incidents in response to an alert. Some endpoint management tools also offer the ability to run agent procedures from a mobile app to achieve automation on the go.

The Evolving Role and Importance of Endpoint Management

IT environment complexity is growing rapidly. Workforces are now more distributed and mobile. Cloud migration has accelerated and the use of SaaS applications is exploding. Businesses must now leverage “unified” endpoint management tools to stay on top of the constantly evolving IT landscape.

Technicians today have to worry about managing and securing not only their local networks but also devices that are off-network and being used remotely.

No longer are all of your endpoints physical devices — virtualization and containerization technologies have dramatically altered the IT landscape yet again.

Listed below are some reasons why a modern, unified endpoint management solution has now become even more critical for businesses:

Increasingly Mobile and Remote Workforces

Not only are workforces more spread out, they’re also on the go and working remotely more than ever before. As such, it is imperative for businesses to deploy comprehensive endpoint management solutions that keep all of these remote devices up and running and secure. This includes mobile device management (MDM) and access to an IT management mobile app that also allows IT techs to manage on the go.

Support for Both Physical and Virtual Devices

The IT landscape has undergone drastic transformations over the last few years, giving rise to an increasing dependency on virtualization as a means to manage business-critical workloads more efficiently. Virtual machines are now commonplace across IT environments. Businesses today look for endpoint management solutions that can manage both physical and virtual devices.

Cloud Infrastructure

The migration to cloud computing has rapidly accelerated in the past year as organizations have digitally transformed their business. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) extends your IT environment from on-premises to the cloud. The global market size of IaaS is expected to reach nearly $82.2 billion by 2022. Needless to say, IT teams need an endpoint management solution that enables them to manage cloud-based environments on services such as Azure and AWS, as well as hybrid on-prem and cloud environments.

Software Vulnerabilities Drive Patching Needs

Given the wide range of software products that businesses utilize these days and the huge number of publically disclosed software vulnerabilities each year, the task of regularly tracking and deploying patches has become more challenging than ever before. This intensifies the need for a robust endpoint management solution that automates patch management and frees up time for your technicians to focus on more strategic, revenue-generating projects.

Not Just Windows Anymore — macOS and Linux

While MS Windows still dominates the OS landscape, many organizations have IT environments that include macOS and Linux devices. Consequently, the need for an endpoint management solution that can manage multiple OS platforms is indispensable for businesses today.

Dangers of Using Outdated Endpoint Management Tools

Deploying a comprehensive endpoint management solution is no longer just an option, but a necessity. In a rapidly evolving IT landscape, it is imperative to look for an endpoint management solution that is constantly developing and is designed to handle the complexity of today’s IT environments. You need an endpoint management solution that allows you to manage everything from a single console and helps you improve IT efficiency.

Here are some major drawbacks of using an endpoint management tool that isn’t keeping up:

• Diminished IT operational efficiency — Technology is constantly evolving and an obsolete endpoint management solution that allows you to manage only traditional endpoints can no longer cut it. You need a next-gen solution that helps manage the complex IT environments of today complete with virtualization, cloud computing, network devices, IoT and the like.
• Increased risk of security incidents and breaches — Weak endpoint security exposes your systems and networks to potential cyberattacks. In the absence of automated patch management, efficient AV/AM deployment and integrated backup solutions, your IT systems are at risk of cyberattacks.
• Higher software and labor costs — In the absence of a unified endpoint management solution, businesses end up spending a lot more on IT labor costs and multiple software solutions to manage their IT environments.
• Higher error rates — Due to manual IT processes, your team is likely to make more errors that affect their ability to keep your systems and networks secure and minimize downtime.

How Are MDM, EMM and UEM Related to Endpoint Management?

With businesses embracing a more mobile work culture, there is an increasing demand for more advanced endpoint management solutions that cater to the changing needs of modern IT environments that are no longer limited to a single office building. Here’s a look at how and why MDM, EMM and UEM are fast becoming the norm in endpoint management.

MDM (Mobile Device Management)

Mobile Device Management (MDM) may be described as the process of strengthening corporate data security by managing, monitoring and securing mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and so on.

MDM helps IT admins manage mobile devices within their IT infrastructure that are being used to access critical business data. MDM includes deciding on the apps that can be installed on the devices, storing critical device information, locating and securing lost or stolen devices, and so on.

By deploying an effective MDM solution, you can reinforce your endpoint security and achieve advanced capabilities to stay on top of the ever-changing mobile landscape.

EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management)

Enterprise mobility management (EMM) is a set of technologies and processes that are focused on monitoring, managing and securing corporate data on wireless networks, mobile devices and other mobile computing services. It is usually concerned with protecting intellectual property, systems that integrate with other corporate IT systems and processes that are designed for the purpose of data security.

While EMM is focused on managing the entire mobile device, MDM is only concerned with managing the features of a mobile device. EMM helps businesses achieve app customization, document and data security, policy compliance and integration with network directory services for better endpoint management.

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM)

As the name suggests, Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) may be described as a comprehensive solution for centrally monitoring and managing ALL endpoints and devices within an organization. UEM is a more advanced solution as compared to traditional endpoint management. Our definition of “unified endpoint management” goes beyond even the conventional view as it encompasses not only traditional endpoints and mobile devices (MDM) but also network devices and the next generation of “endpoints” such as cloud and IoT.

Selecting the Best Unified Endpoint Management Solution for Your Organization

One of the primary requirements of a business looking to efficiently manage its IT infrastructure is an endpoint management tool that monitors and manages all endpoints and devices, including network devices, workstations and servers, as well as virtual machines and cloud resources.

A Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solution, Kaseya VSA allows IT teams to manage a wide range of endpoints and devices. It automates IT to drive operational efficiency — allowing IT teams to do more with their existing resources. This is critical in today’s environment where the demands on IT are increasing dramatically.

Kaseya VSA brings together software patch management (including OS and third-party patching), AV/AM deployment and management, and backup and disaster recovery management (servers and SaaS app data) in one UI. Kaseya VSA also enables you to patch off-network devices even over low-bandwidth networks — a feature that is indispensable for securing work-from-home (WFH) employees’ computers.

Learn more about “managing everything” and streamlining your IT operations, boosting technician efficiency and enhancing the security of your IT environment with Kaseya VSA. Download our eBook to know all about leveraging the automation capabilities of your endpoint management tool.

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