Five reasons app management is crucial for mobile security

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As the concept of mobile management expands beyond the basic device security options associated mobile device management (MDM), there is a growing focus on mobile application management (MAM). Since the majority of data on mobile devices is centered around specific apps, managing those apps can help ensure the security any business data on a device even in the event that it is lost or stolen and device management is circumvented.

Good Technology, one of the leaders in mobile  app and information management identifies five reasons that companies need to consider an app management strategy in addition to the use of MDM tools.

1. Proliferation of consumer apps
2. Backup is everywhere
3. Regulatory compliance
4. Limited device authentication and authorization capabilities
5. Devices can be rooted or jailbroken

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Each of those concerns involve data leaking beyond the device and the corporate firewall, even if the device itself is still secured. A MAM approach focuses on those containing business data on a device within secure and managed app environments. The result being that even if a device is lost or stolen, the business data remains secure and encrypted. It also means that users and apps can be restricted from copying or syncing data out of a secure container. MAM probably won't completely replace MDM in many environments, but it certainly will complement it and deliver signficantly better data security all around.
 

Ryan Faas is a technology journalist and author who has been writing about Apple, business and enterprise IT topics, and the mobile industry for over a decade. Read Ryan's bio