Mobile solutions are here to stay, here’s how agencies can optimize device management

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Holistic mobility solutions have major advantages.

In the wrong hands, a government-issued mobile device poses a serious cybersecurity threat. Troublingly, a July 2023 report revealed that a single federal agency reported over 1,000 missing mobile devices in just one year.

Mobile device management is a prevalent and persistent challenge for federal agencies. In the past decade, audits from the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General illuminated security issues at several other prominent agencies.

Exacerbated by the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile devices are essential for executing daily agency operations and connecting a dispersed federal workforce.

But the proliferation of mobile devices increases the risk of loss and misuse, as these devices often contain sensitive data or access to critical systems. As such, agencies must have comprehensive device management strategies to ensure security, data integrity and stable connectivity.

Holistic mobility solutions and strategies can streamline costs, ensure ongoing policy compliance and provide better end-user support. When managed effectively, mobile solutions such as smartphones and tablets can substantially improve agency operations, translating to positive citizen experiences.

Effective device management improves agency operations

The rapid increase in agencies’ mobile device usage poses another challenge in and of itself. The number of mobile devices agencies are responsible for is quickly outpacing most agencies’ ability to scale up their mobile management infrastructure, as noted in the OIG’s audits, with some agencies managing tens of thousands of devices around the globe.

Agencies overseeing thousands of devices across a dispersed network would benefit from cloud-based mobility solutions that offer centralized management and support. These solutions provide real-time mobile network monitoring, ensuring agencies have full visibility into the location and status of their mobile devices.

Cloud-based solutions can help agencies stay ahead of emerging threats without manually reconfiguring their systems. Since cloud-based solutions are regularly updated to meet new security guidelines, agencies can simultaneously deploy security updates for various devices across their network — an increasingly common need given current hybrid work environments. 

An end-to-end, cloud-based approach to mobility solutions covers the full mobility lifecycle, from deployment to decommissioning, and involves comprehensive services to set up, secure, and manage mobile infrastructure, devices, applications and data.

Additionally, cloud-based mobile management platforms are a scalable solution that can help agencies successfully navigate continuous upgrades, future-proofing agencies.

Embedding built-in controls to ensure mobile device security

As with all matters pertaining to the federal government, security is paramount. It’s vital to ensure mobile solutions meet federal security standards and comply with regulations like NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework or the Federal Information Security Modernization Act. Agencies should seek to procure and deploy mobility solutions with built-in security controls to meet these regulatory requirements.

Embedding security controls within the mobile device simplifies compliance by automatically enforcing security policies like encryption, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and access controls. These controls reduce the risk of cyberattacks and infiltration, even if the device is lost.

Moreover, embedded security controls enable seamless interoperability between new mobile technologies and existing agency IT infrastructure. By choosing tools with built-in compliance features, agencies can reduce mobile vulnerabilities and streamline audits, saving valuable time and resources.

Advanced mobility solutions will provide proactive monitoring and support to mitigate risks associated with device loss and misuse. Thorough oversight, combined with embedded security controls, will fortify mobile security for agencies and protect sensitive federal information.

Holistic mobile management strategies ensure longevity

The mobile landscape is poised for a significant transformation over the next few years. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning will only continue to improve mobile management strategies and solutions.

Such advancements will greatly enhance operational efficiencies and reduce costs, such as investigators and auditors in the field. As a result, they’ll increase federal employees’ efficiency, supporting improved customer experiences (CX) and citizen engagement. 

So long as agencies act now to secure and scale their mobile infrastructure, mobile devices will undoubtedly revolutionize government services for the benefit of all citizens. As a result of effective device management, agencies can turn a prevalent security risk into a powerful asset, connecting public servants around the globe and enabling them to deliver mission-critical services regardless of their location.