Unified Endpoint Management Explained

Nowadays, businesses are constantly seeing increases in the numbers of devices that are being used to access their networks and their sensitive data. As a managed services provider (MSP), you know each of these endpoints has the potential to introduce serious risks into an organization. The continuous rise of endpoints in the workplace—from wearables to tablets to IoT devices—means that effective endpoint management is more important than ever.

The unfortunate reality is that many of the devices used in the workplace don’t meet the security standards set by MSPs. To tackle this problem, MSPs have turned to unified endpoint management (UEM). Understanding the goal of UEM and how it can enhance your security efforts can help you decide whether it’s time to invest in a UEM solution.

What is unified endpoint management?

Unified endpoint management (UEM) is an approach to endpoint organization designed for controlling and securing different types of endpoint devices from a single interface or console. UEM lets you control smartphones, computers, wearables, and even IoT devices all from a centralized point of command. By doing so, it allows diverse networks to become safer and more efficient.

UEM exists today as the latest stage of endpoint management that will replace the standard mobile device management (MDM) and enterprise mobility management (EMM) solutions that have existed for years. Today’s diversified endpoint landscape demands new solutions in order for MSPs to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the different systems required to secure all of the devices on their customers’ networks.

Mobile devices present unique risks and introduce different vulnerabilities to the workplace. Some of the increased risk is simply due to the nature of mobile devices, including the possibility of losing the device and the vulnerabilities associated with connecting to public Wi-Fi. Having a streamlined, unified endpoint management system can help you stay a step ahead of potential hackers, keeping yourself and your customers secure in an era of new vulnerabilities and threats.

What is the difference between UEM and other management approaches?

UEM is designed to let MSPs replace the standard options like MDM, EMM, and other client management tools that have defined endpoint management and endpoint security for years. Not only does UEM replace these separate tools, it also provides a single consolidated software option.

As you know, MDM can help keep businesses secure in today’s digital environment. Endpoint detection is an element of MDM that involves identifying suspicious activities on endpoints that may signify a data breach. This subset of endpoint security is a key step for keeping your network secure and preventing unauthorized users from accessing your network undetected. MDM also includes elements like device enrollment, device lockdown, location tracking, and remote control that can help you secure your customers’ mobile devices.

EMM involves the features that are part of MDM but goes one step further with other management elements to help protect a greater portion of the network. These include mobile application management, mobile content management, and mobile information management.

The key difference between MDM and UEM is that UEM not only involves enterprise management for mobile devices, but also is capable of managing other endpoints like printers, desktops, wearables, and IoT devices from a single platform. Given the importance of endpoint management, it’s no surprise many organizations are making the switch to UEM in order to centralize and enhance their security efforts.

What is a UEM solution?

A UEM solution is a software product designed to take care of all your endpoint management needs for both mobile and non-mobile devices. Many vendors market their UEM solution as part of a larger enterprise mobility management suite.

The truth is that while the increasing use of personal devices in the workplace is associated with security risks, it can also bring a lot of benefits to a business. These potential benefits range from happier employees (due to more flexible remote work possibilities) and cost reductions for the business.

Instead of trying to do the impossible and slow the influx of personal mobile devices and the like, businesses and MSPs should instead turn to comprehensive UEM solutions that can help keep those devices and the larger network secure. UEM solutions are designed to allow you to manage all your devices, including your computers, with the same methods used in standard MDM practices. These include endpoint discovery, monitoring, patch management, automated maintenance and management, backup and recovery, and more.

A solution like N‑able^® Remote Monitoring & Management can help you stop juggling multiple pieces of software and start using a user-friendly platform to monitor your devices.

Interested in learning more about UEM? Explore our product suite to see how you can take advantage of unified endpoint management strategies.