Consumerization Strategies for the CIODevice management
Mobile devices in the enterprise require strong security and intricate management. Enterprise device management software provides multi-user device management, patching and upgrading, logging and auditing, performance monitoring, access control and device security. With advanced enterprise device management tools, organizations can also manage device lifecycles, provisioning and compliance. In addition, every business that has employees with mobile devices needs to make sure those users are authorized and are not violating policies. Enterprise strategies for consumerization and device management differ among organizations, but more companies are starting to implement policies regarding the use of cloud services, because the cloud remains a tricky place to monitor and secure data. Enterprise device management applications and enterprise strategies will have to evolve to meet these needs. More about Device management
Managing cloud apps
Cloud computing applications, which are accessible from anywhere and often free, are catching on among end users. Despite its benefits, this trend is concerning for employers, because IT departments lack control over the management and security of these cloud-based applications. If an employee uploads sensitive documents to a cloud storage service, for example, the business’ bottom line is at risk if a data breach occurs. Or if an employee routes customer information through one of the popular cloud computing applications for email, it could violate compliance regulations. Some of the top cloud applications among end users are Dropbox, Gmail and even Salesforce.com. Managing access to these cloud computing applications will be crucial as the consumerization of IT evolves, and vendors such as Citrix Systems and VMware have developed products that aim to give IT more control over these cloud-based applications. More about Managing cloud apps
Securing mobile devices and data
Securing mobile devices is critical for IT administrators dealing with consumerization. Employees’ mobile devices are especially vulnerable because they often live outside the firewall, and users access both work and personal information from the same device. Client security is especially tricky because users often use several identities or logins on one device, and employers may be unaware of where work activity is occurring. There are also other issues that make securing mobile devices no easy task. In addition, cloud security comes into play when users access services such as Dropbox or Gmail for work purposes. IT departments don’t control these services, so protecting corporate data should be the top cloud security priority. The resources in this section cover data protection and mobile device security tips for IT professionals. More about Securing mobile devices and data
Smartphone and tablet hardware
PCs aren’t the only concern for desktop admins anymore. Smartphone and tablet hardware is driving an increase in the number of endpoints IT departments must deal with. The news and how-to articles in this section cover smartphone hardware from Apple, Research in Motion (RIM) and the vendors that manufacture Android and Microsoft Windows mobile phones, including Samsung, Motorola, HTC and Nokia. These resources also cover the Apple iPad and other tablet hardware, plus the processors that power these devices and the wireless carriers that serve them. Compare the most popular tablet and smartphone hardware on the market to determine if these devices can make your employees more efficient -- and how they might fit into your IT department’s endpoint strategy. More about Smartphone and tablet hardware
Mobile device OSes and apps
Managing tablet and smartphone operating systems will force IT administrators to step out of their comfort zones. Most of the major smartphone operating systems used in enterprises focus on the consumer, not business users. Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android are helping to drive the consumerization of IT, and even the business-focused Microsoft is making its Windows Phone operating system more consumer-friendly. The same holds true when it comes to tablet operating systems, where iOS on the iPad is leading the charge. The resources in this section include news on the latest smartphone and tablet operating systems, plus tips on how to manage and secure them. You’ll also find information on the new wave of tablet and smartphone applications that employees are using to do work on mobile devices. Much like the operating systems they run on, many of these tablet and smartphone applications will be new to IT admins. More about Mobile device OSes and apps