In a previous post, we detailed how keeping up to date on endpoint security and management best practices along with deploying important updates or urgent patches can be difficult for organizations. In this post, we discuss why unified endpoint management (UEM) is so important, especially with increasing cyber-attacks.
Let’s start with the basics. What is UEM? Gartner defines UEM as follows:
“Unified endpoint management (UEM) tools provide agent-based and agentless management of endpoint devices running Windows, Google Android and Chrome OS, Apple macOS, iPadOS, and iOS. UEM tools apply data protection, device configuration and usage policies using telemetry from identities, apps, connectivity and devices. They also integrate with identity, security and remote access tools to support zero trust.”
Why Should You Use a Unified Approach for Endpoint Management?
UEM can help enterprises consolidate not only vendors but multiple disparate tools. By unifying critical capabilities within a central, integrated solution, processes can be streamlined across a multitude of devices, endpoints, and operating systems; insights can be gleaned more quickly; and staff are able to get their jobs done faster.
One key benefit of a unified approach is being able to centrally manage all endpoints regardless of their location. Also, provisioning new devices when using a UEM solution is much faster. Everything can be addressed from one screen. New employees can be onboarded more rapidly onto IT systems. Remote employees can be given access rights and network privileges with a few clicks.
And, a unified endpoint management solution can help simplify device management and support processes, resulting in far lower total cost of ownership (TCO) of endpoints. How? Supporting hybrid and remote workers can be challenging, especially if employees use multiple devices and need access to multiple systems to get their work done. Staying on top of OS patching, device health monitoring, asset inventory, troubleshooting, software deployment, etc., can be difficult if IT needs physical access to the devices. The most robust UEM tools offer easy-to-use, cloud-native management and support.
How UEM Enhances Security
Device management and endpoint management are definite beneficiaries of UEM. So, too, is security. By simplifying and streamlining endpoint deployment, management, and patching, IT can minimize the risk profile of the business through controls consistency, smoother configuration management, and greatly enhanced patch and attack surface management. UEM can help an organization operate across a distributed environment without fear of having unmanaged endpoints or roaming endpoints that could increase enterprise risk, leaving the network open to a potential cyber-attack.
With the ever-growing number of cyber-attacks, faster patch deployment and better configuration management is critical. No longer will urgent patches sit undeployed for months. IT can easily verify that every device and endpoint has received the patches, that they are installed correctly, and that no further vulnerabilities, or attack vectors, remain.
Upgrading Infrastructure to Achieve UEM
Legacy technologies, outdated IT management practices, and too many point products managing a limited number of mobile devices, PCs, OSes, or platforms – all of this adds up to endpoint management and security headaches. IT and security experts, along with industry analysts, have noted that consolidating management of desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices into a single solution can yield improved endpoint device health, reduced risk, stronger security, and smoother operations.
If you’re interested in learning more about UEM and how it can help you, Syxsense offers one of the best cloud-native UEM solutions on the market. Syxsense brings together foundational UEM capabilities, such as device discovery, asset inventory, software distribution, and patch management, and combines it with robust security functionality, such as vulnerability scanning and remediation, into a single, unified package.
For more information, sign up for a demo today.
