What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) and GDPR?

Mobile device management (MDM) is how many businesses run the administration of their mobile fleets. Many employees use company phones for private use as a perk from the company. MDM is usually a third-party app or software that’s installed on all work devices such as smartphones, tablets, and cellphones and allows the business to monitor, manage, and secure business devices. It’s a critical security tool that ensures any sensitive business information on employees’ phones is secure. Good MDM programs usually have the following core functions: Managing hardware inventory Managing application inventory OS configuration management Mobile app deployment, updating and removal Mobile app configuration and policy management Remote view and control for troubleshooting Execute remote actions, such as remote wipe Mobile content management GDPR, on the other hand, is a regulation protocol that protects citizens’ right to have complete control of their personal data. If businesses don’tt comply with GDPR, they face the potential of hefty fines, up to 4 per cent of the company’s gross annual income. MDM and GDPR work closely to ensure that any sensitive business data, such as clients’ contact details and other information, remains safe and stored securely.

Does using MDMs for GDPR make businesses compliant?

MDM can be a great tool to help businesses become GDPR compliant. However, simply having the software installed on your mobile device fleet isn’t enough. MDM provides IT departments with the means to access all devices within their fleets. With this access, IT departments can implement various measures to ensure that mobile devices are GDPR compliant. IT departments can implement data separation on company phones through the software to keep employees’ business and private use of devices separate. They can also install any needed security and privacy apps to bolster information security on mobile devices. IT departments can also use MDM to frequently update passwords across all devices and ensure that the devices are up to date. Certain Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) providers also offer MDM solutions to alleviate some of the stress from IT departments. The IT department will always have to be involved. Still, by using one of these services, you can ensure that your business’s mobile fleet is GDPR compliant while still giving the IT department time to focus on other essential aspects of the company. This is a good option for businesses with IT departments that are already extremely busy and might not be able to handle all the intricacies of mobile device management.

Is MDM for GDPR a requirement?

An MDM itself is not a requirement to become GDPR compliant; however, it is a valuable tool that IT departments can use to ensure that mobile devices are GDPR compliant. MDM can be used to install safety measures on mobile devices to protect against data breaches. It can also be used to ensure all safeguards are in place on devices that transfer sensitive business data. Additionally, an MDM can be used to ensure that privacy by design practices are met, which is a mandatory component in becoming GDPR compliant.

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The use of MDM for GDPR compliance and its benefits

Data securityMobile workTechnology

February 25, 20224 min read