Mobile Application Management

What is Mobile Application Management?

What is Mobile Application Management (MAM)?

Mobile Application Management (MAM) is a technology framework that allows businesses to secure, deploy, and manage mobile applications on employees’ smartphones, tablets, and other devices. Unlike Mobile Device Management (MDM), which focuses on controlling the entire device, MAM targets individual applications, ensuring they are secure and compliant with company policies.

With MAM, organisations can:

Control access to corporate apps and data.
Protect sensitive information within specific applications.
Monitor and update applications remotely.

MAM solutions are particularly valuable in Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments, where employees use their personal devices for work. These solutions ensure corporate apps are managed without infringing on personal privacy.

How Does MAM Work?

MAM works by applying policies and controls to applications, ensuring they are used securely and effectively. Here’s how it typically functions:

1. App Deployment and Distribution

Businesses use MAM tools to deploy applications to employees’ devices. Apps can be distributed via an enterprise app store or directly through the MAM platform.

2. Application Policies

MAM enforces specific policies for each app. For example:

Restricting copy-and-paste functions.
Preventing screen captures.
Requiring app-level authentication.

3. Data Security

MAM protects corporate data within apps by encrypting it or separating it from personal data. If an employee leaves the company, only the corporate app and its data can be wiped, leaving personal apps and information intact.

4. Monitoring and Updates

Organisations can monitor app usage and push updates or patches to ensure apps remain secure and functional.

5. Integration with Identity Management

MAM often integrates with identity management solutions like Microsoft Entra or Azure Active Directory to control who can access specific apps and data.

Benefits of Mobile Application Management

MAM offers numerous advantages to businesses, particularly those with mobile or remote workforces:

1. Enhanced Security

MAM ensures corporate data is protected within specific apps, reducing the risk of data breaches. Encryption, authentication, and policy enforcement add layers of security.

2. Improved User Privacy

Since MAM focuses on applications rather than the entire device, employees’ personal data and apps remain untouched. This balance is ideal for BYOD scenarios.

3. Simplified App Management

MAM allows IT teams to easily deploy, update, and manage applications remotely. Employees always have access to the latest versions of critical tools.

4. Compliance

Many industries, such as healthcare and finance, have strict compliance requirements. MAM ensures apps meet these regulations by applying relevant policies.

5. Remote Wiping

If a device is lost or an employee leaves the organisation, MAM allows businesses to wipe only the corporate apps and data, minimizing risk.

6. Increased Productivity

By providing employees with secure access to work apps and data on their mobile devices, MAM helps improve productivity, even for remote workers.

Key Features of Mobile Application Management

When choosing a MAM solution, organisations should look for the following features:

App-level Encryption: Protects sensitive data within apps.
Granular Policies: Allows specific restrictions like copy-paste blocking or file sharing.
Containerisation: Separates corporate data from personal data on the same device.
Identity and Access Management Integration: Ensures only authorised users can access specific apps.
Remote Management: Enables IT teams to update, monitor, and secure apps from anywhere.

Why Mobile Application Management is Crucial

Employees expect to access work apps and data on their devices. However, this convenience introduces significant security risks if not managed properly. Mobile Application Management bridges this gap by ensuring corporate data is secure without compromising user experience or privacy.

Conclusion

Mobile Application Management (MAM) is an essential tool for modern businesses navigating the complexities of mobile workforces and BYOD policies. By securing and managing corporate apps without invading employee privacy, MAM enables organizations to stay productive and secure in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

For more information about how we can help you with your business IT needs, call us on 0333 444 3455 or email us at sales@cnltd.co.uk.