It’s no secret that the workplace has undergone a radical transformation. Employees are no longer tethered to their desks.
Employees are now working from various locations and across multiple devices.
This shift to more agile workplace has brought immense flexibility and increased productivity across organizations.
However, it presents significant issues for IT teams in securing the expanded attack surface of more devices in more locations
Enter Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), a critical solution for navigating the multitude of devices.
Unified Endpoint Management has emerged as an important tool for organizations to secure the diverse range of devices accessing their networks and data,
What is Unified Endpoint Management?
Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is software that helps enterprises manage and secure all the devices that connect to their network.
This includes everything from laptops to phones to any IoT device or wearable. UEM software provides a single platform to control and monitor all these endpoints. This helps to simplify the administrative load and ultimately improves security across the organization.
Unifying devices into a single platform simplifies tasks like software updates, security patches, and troubleshooting.
It helps improve security by enforcing security policies across all devices. This includes requiring strong passwords, encrypting data, and controlling which apps can be used.
Unified Endpoint Management is important as the workplace has evolved to be more remote and employees are working across multiple devices. This increases potential points of entry for cyberattacks. Unified Endpoint Management provides a centralized platform to secure all these endpoints, regardless of their location or ownership.
Sensitive company data is now accessed and stored on a multitude of devices, many of which are outside the traditional office perimeter. UEM helps enforce data security policies, such as encryption and access controls, to protect this data.
Employees also expect a seamless and consistent experience across all their workplace devices. UEM helps ensure this by providing easy access to applications and resources, regardless of the device or location. It also simplifies troubleshooting and support whilst minimizing disruptions to productivity.
The Best Unified Endpoint Management Solutions
There are a variety of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions on the market, each with its own set of features, benefits, and limitations when it comes to securing and managing your organization's diverse endpoint landscape.
In this list, we’re exploring ten of the leading UEM solutions available today, examining the features and capabilities that make them stand out.
Ivanti Neurons
Ivanti Neurons for UEM is a comprehensive platform that leverages automation and AI to simplify endpoint management. It offers proactive device health monitoring, automated remediation, and personalized user experiences. Ivanti Neurons aims to reduce IT workload and improve endpoint security by automating routine tasks and providing actionable insights into device performance and security.
Ivanti's focus on automation and AI sets it apart in the UEM market. Its ability to proactively identify and resolve endpoint issues, combined with its comprehensive set of management and security features, makes it a valuable solution for organizations looking to streamline IT operations and enhance endpoint security. This focus on automation and proactive management positions Ivanti Neurons for UEM as a leader in the evolving UEM landscape.
IBM Security MaaS360
IBM Security MaaS360 is a cloud-based UEM solution that offers a balanced set of features for device management, security, and application management. It is known for its ease of use and strong focus on mobile security. The platform provides features including mobile threat management, data loss prevention, and containerization. MaaS360 simplifies endpoint management tasks, allowing IT administrators to easily enroll devices, deploy applications, and enforce security policies.
MaaS360's strength lies in its intuitive interface as well as its comprehensive mobile security capabilities. Its ease of use makes it accessible to organizations of all sizes. Robust security features help protect against mobile threats. This balance of usability and security, combined with IBM's established presence in the enterprise security market, makes MaaS360 a strong contender in the UEM space.
Citrix Endpoint Management
Citrix Endpoint Management is a powerful UEM solution with a strong emphasis on security and application delivery. It enables secure access to apps and data from any device, regardless of location. Citrix Endpoint Management is particularly well-suited for organizations with complex mobility requirements. For example in regulated industries or a mobile workforce. It offers granular control over application access and data security, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Citrix's expertise in application and desktop virtualization translates into a robust UEM offering. Its focus on secure application delivery and granular control over endpoint access makes it a leading choice for organizations prioritizing security and user experience. Combined with its ability to handle complex deployments Citrix Endpoint Management is a key player in the UEM market.
VMware Workspace ONE
VMware Workspace ONE supports a diverse range of devices and platforms, from desktops and laptops to smartphones and tablets, making it suitable for organizations with heterogeneous environments. Workspace ONE is known for its robust security features. This includes strong authentication, data encryption, and threat detection.
Workspace ONE's strength lies in its breadth and depth of functionality. It provides a unified platform for managing all endpoints, simplifying IT operations and improving security posture. Its ability to handle diverse devices and platforms, coupled with its strong focus on security and user experience, makes it a leading UEM solution for organizations with complex mobility needs.
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based UEM solution deeply integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem, making it an obvious choice for organizations that are heavily reliant on Microsoft products. It excels in managing Windows devices, providing comprehensive control over device settings, software deployments, and security policies. Intune's tight integration with Azure Active Directory simplifies user and device management, allowing for seamless access control and conditional access policies.
Intune's leadership stems from its close ties to the Microsoft ecosystem. Its streamlined management of Windows devices, combined with its integration with other Microsoft services like Azure AD and Microsoft 365, simplifies IT administration and enhances security. This tight integration, along with Microsoft's widespread enterprise adoption, positions Intune as a dominant player in the UEM market.
Auvik Networks
Auvik Networks focuses on network management and monitoring, especially for IT managed service providers. Their cloud-based platform provides visibility into network infrastructure. This includes switches, routers, firewalls, and wireless access points. Auvik automates network documentation, monitors network performance, and provides alerts for potential issues. It provides critical insights into the network that endpoints connect to.
Auvik's strength lies in its ability to discover, map, and monitor network devices automatically. This simplifies network management tasks and provides valuable information for troubleshooting and optimizing network performance. It is an essential tool for MSPs and IT teams responsible for managing network infrastructure, which is a critical component of any endpoint environment.
Deepwatch
Deepwatch operates in the managed security services space, specializing in threat detection and response. They offer a cloud-based security platform combined with a team of security experts who monitor customer environments 24/7. Deepwatch integrates with existing endpoint security tools and other security technologies to provide comprehensive threat visibility and incident response.
Deepwatch's value proposition lies in its expertise and proactive approach to security. By combining advanced technology with human analysis, they help organizations identify and respond to threats quickly and effectively. Deepwatch plays a critical role in securing endpoints and ensuring overall security.
Absolute Software
Absolute Software offers a unique approach to endpoint resilience and security. Their platform provides endpoint visibility and control, even if a device is lost, stolen, or compromised. A key feature is their embedded agent, which survives operating system reinstalls and allows for remote device location, data wipe, and even device freezing. Absolute also offers features for IT asset management, endpoint compliance, and security posture management.
Absolute's strength lies in its persistence technology, which provides an unparalleled level of control over endpoints. This combined with its comprehensive suite of endpoint management and security features, makes it a valuable solution for organizations looking to secure their endpoints and maintain control over their IT assets.
Zip Security
Zip Security focuses on endpoint security and threat prevention. Their platform emphasizes proactive threat hunting and response. It leverages AI and machine learning to identify and neutralize malicious activity on endpoints. Key features include behavioral analysis, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and automated threat containment. Zip Security aims to stop attacks before they can cause damage by providing real-time visibility into endpoint activity and potential threats.
Zip Security’s specialized focus on security makes it a valuable component of a comprehensive endpoint security strategy. Its proactive approach to threat detection and response, combined with its use of AI and automation, positions it as a strong player in the endpoint security space.
Esper
Esper focuses on providing a robust platform specifically designed for dedicated Android devices. This means devices that are used for single-purpose applications such as kiosks, point-of-sale systems, or digital signage. Esper's platform simplifies the management scale. It offers remote provisioning, application deployment and management, device monitoring, and OS updates. It also excels in providing granular control over device settings and security. This ensures consistent performance and reliability.
Esper's key strength lies in its deep integration with the Android operating system. This integration allows for fine-tuned control and customization. The cloud-based platform provides a centralized console for managing thousands of devices, simplifying tasks like deploying updates, troubleshooting issues, and enforcing security policies. Their focus on dedicated Android devices, combined with its powerful management capabilities, makes Esper a leader in endpoint management.
