As the move to mobile continues unabated and associated risks for businesses rise proportionately, more of SA's service providers implement security strategies around bring-your-own-device (BYOD).
Yesterday, Vodacom Business unveiled a BYOD security solution, which the operator hopes will help combat the inevitable network security challenges that come with the proliferation of mobile devices in the workplace.
The new product, Vodacom Secure Device Manager, is the operator's business arm's answer to mobile device management (MDM). It provides administration functionality for businesses to remotely manage mobile devices and enforce security policies, giving employees secure access to corporate data. The tool can be used for both company-owned and employee-owned devices across the business.
Vodacom Secure Device Manager enables firms to manage all devices using company resources through an Internet-based console. "Once devices have been added, companies can maintain the security of their data and applications, even if a device is lost or stolen. This is done by ensuring that only authorised and compliant devices have access to the company network, and by locking down and wiping the data from any lost or stolen devices," explains Vodacom.
The solution also enables businesses to remotely monitor the health of smart devices and run diagnostics to identify issues and fix problems. "Updating or adding new policies, settings, certificates, applications, and software can also be managed wirelessly via the Internet using the MDM solution."
The MDM service works across key platforms including iOS, Android and Windows mobile devices.
Other initiatives
Last July, Samsung and Vodacom entered into a KNOX reseller agreement that enabled Vodacom to offer its clients a single point of contact for KNOX licences and Samsung enterprise services.
In August last year, Vodacom rival MTN introduced an enterprise mobile management (EMM) solution (generally a combination of MDM and mobile application management for businesses) to help corporates manage and secure mobile devices, data and applications.
The solution allows for the management of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, and also provides organisations with a platform that enables and maintains compliance with regulatory and corporate policies.
Smartphone maker BlackBerry has also been active in the EMM space for some time now. In May last year, the company said it would enable MDM companies to manage devices directly with its BlackBerry 10 operating system.
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