What is Mobile Device Management (MDM) for the legal sector?
The ways in which technology is used in the business world have changed fundamentally in the last few years. Even before the pandemic, the use of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets was becoming more commonplace, alongside the widespread use of laptops. But in recent years, the move towards more flexible ways of working has only accelerated.
While the wider range of devices, connections and locations being used have helped businesses adapt, and helped employees maximise their productivity, the change has also brought about inherent security risks. That’s why it’s so important for businesses, especially those in the legal sector, to embrace MDM, which stands for Mobile Device Management.
In this blog, we’ll answer the key questions around MDM, including what it means, how it works, how best to apply it in a legal enterprise, and why it’s a far better option than a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy.
What does Mobile Device Management mean?
Mobile Device Management is software that helps IT departments and administrators keep all the mobile devices within a business secure. These devices can range from smartphones and tablets to laptops and even devices connected to the Internet of Things. The use of MDM doesn’t have to be restricted to company-owned devices - personal devices used for work purposes can also be overseen through the software.
Ultimately, a good MDM solution does more than just help keep devices, data and applications secure: it will help a business strike the right balance between security, compliance and productivity, so that a business can function as efficiently and safely as possible.
How does Mobile Device Management work?
MDM software gives administrators the ability to manage and monitor activity on all mobile devices that can access business data or applications. The software can also distribute and apply corporate security policies on devices, so that protection is maintained and to prevent bad user practices that can put that data at risk.
MDM can also be used to track overall mobile device health, and in the event of loss or theft, can locate devices so that they can be recovered.
It should be noted, however, that MDM is not a catch-all security solution for mobile devices; rather, it is one of a number of measures that should be taken. MDM should be applied in conjunction with strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and if appropriate, geofencing.
Why is Mobile Device Management so important for law firms?
MDM is vital for law firms for two particular reasons: the sensitive nature of the data that legal practitioners handle every day; and the meteoric rise in the use of mobile devices across the sector. According to a survey conducted in 2021 by the American Bar Association, laptops have now overtaken desktops as the most commonly used device in law for the first time, and also found that around 90% of lawyers use their mobile phones for work purposes.
When these devices are used without the protection of MDM in place, organisations are leaving themselves vulnerable on several different fronts, including:
- Cybercrime: devices that aren’t well-protected could easily be hacked into by cyber-criminals, or affected by major cyber-attacks and ransomware. This can have repercussions that are operational (disruption to business), financial (if bank information is seized) and reputational (bad publicity from data breaches)
- Loss or theft: the act of data falling into the wrong hands can be physical as well as virtual. If devices are lost or stolen, without adequate protections in place, whoever has control of that device can do severe damage to a business
- Non-compliance: data protection rules like GDPR set high standards when it comes to keeping data safe, including on mobile devices. The financial penalties of failing to comply can be extremely severe, as there is a legal responsibility in place to mitigate damages
- Unsafe applications: if users install malicious applications on their devices, whether for personal or business use, they can render all data and applications on that device vulnerable to illicit access
If your business currently employs a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy, then the risk of problems in all of these areas can be heightened considerably without MDM in place. Without adequate IT control and oversight, it can be impossible for businesses to ensure that data is protected, and leave its safety entirely in the hands and judgement of individual users.
What are the benefits of Mobile Device Management in the legal sector?
As the above demonstrates, MDM is extremely valuable as a line of defence, protecting against threats. However, the benefits of having MDM in place can stretch far and wide through a law business:
Fast response to breaches: as the secure handling of privileged client information and legal papers is such a high priority, being able to respond instantly to any potential breaches is critical. MDM can enable this by immediately addressing any hazards.
- Improved productivity: MDM can free up time for busy legal employees in two ways. Firstly, MDM can help resolve any issues quicker, minimising disruption. And secondly, it allows employees to safely use their own personal devices that they’re already used to and proficient with.
- Additional support: good MDM solutions come with extra support services that can help maintain the integrity of data in difficult situations; these services can include back-up support, encryption, and wiping of data from devices that are known to have been breached
- Enforcement of policies: an MDM platform makes it much simpler to set up corporate security policies, and check that they are being complied with across every device at all times.
