What is Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security?

Users no longer operate within the boundaries of a brick and mortar facility; many of your employees use technology that enables them to work remotely from a plethora of mobile and desktop devices, requiring access to sensitive business data around the clock.

Microsoft’s tools give you the ability to manage and secure your applications and information assets, whether they are being used within the business or on external and non-corporate devices.

Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security is, essentially, a device-management and virtual-identity-management collection of products that allow you to have control over how, when and by whom your business’ data is being accessed and utilised.

Key Benefits of Microsoft EMS

Here are few key benefits of Microsoft EMS to consider:

1. Gain visibility of how your cloud is being accessed and by whom. You can centrally manage single sign-on without restricting the type or ownership of the device.
2. Centrally protect and manage your applications and data on iOS, Android and Windows.
3. Safeguard data that is confidential to your business by only allowing access to the relevant collaborators.
4. Improve productivity throughout your business by simplifying the security process.
5. Enable employees to work from the device and location that best suits their needs.
6. Revoke access to data that has been accidentally shared or prevent former employees from accessing business information with immediate effect upon leaving the organisation.

Which products does the Microsoft EMS bundle include?

• Azure Active Directory Premium
• Microsoft Intune
• Azure Rights Management
• Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics

Each of these cloud-based applications serves a unique purpose in protecting your business, as well as the privacy of your employees and clients by addressing the areas where your company is most exposed: identity, mobile management, and security.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at how Microsoft EMS can integrate into your business around these three components.

Identity: Azure Active Directory

You never know who’s really on the other side of the keyboard. That’s because hackers are getting smarter, and, occasionally, individuals are negligent with their password hygiene.

On the other hand, requiring your employees to sign in and connect to VPNs, especially if they use numerous digital tools throughout the day can be frustrating.

What does Azure Active Directory do?

With Azure Active Directory you can connect all your users with all the apps and resources they require to fulfil their tasks. This cloud-based identity and access management tool allows you to centralise the sign-in process in a single platform and permit users to gain access using password-less authentication.

Azure Active Directory is customisable and can facilitate collaboration with individuals outside of your business such as customers or partners.

If your employees need to use Microsoft Office 365 or a multitude of other SaaS applications–remotely or in the office–Azure AD offers an easy way to let individuals go about their work without having to use unique passwords for each tool.

Mobile Management: Microsoft Intune

The “bring your own device” (BYOD) model holds a lot of appeal for businesses and employees.

Firstly, because it allows organisations to save money on depreciating assets; secondly, because it gives staff the freedom to work on the device that they feel most comfortable operating. This does present a few unique security challenges, however.

For BYOD to function, you need to streamline access to your cloud-based apps with a unified identity and allow users to conveniently access these features with a single sign-on.

You also need to safeguard these apps as well as the corporate data they encapsulate. Your employees can also rest assured that their personal device remains private as they don’t have to give IT control over the entire piece of equipment to securely access their work apps.

How does Microsoft Intune help?

Microsoft Intune is essentially a risk assessment tool that empowers you to create your own compliance assessment and maintain real-time control over how information is used, shared and distributed throughout the business and beyond.

You can encrypt and control data with the Intune app so that you can freely regulate how employees use your digital assets across any device, anywhere.

Security: Advanced Threat Analytics

Cybercrime is costly and often underestimated by small and medium business. Why? Because indifference, lack of understanding and technical expertise when it comes to digital security makes them easy targets for cyber attackers.

How does Microsoft’s Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA) work?

This application can identify and alert you and other users to any lurking or potential attacks before they cause any damage. The tool monitors activities in your network for any unusual usage patterns or infiltrations.

ATA studies the typical patterns of users across the devices they operate and flags any unusual behaviour such as an abrupt switch to an unrecognised device or working at irregular or extended hours.

For example, if someone is suddenly accessing or downloading large volumes of organisational data, the ATA tool will alert the regulatory bodies within your business.

Furthermore, ATA will also pick up on any malicious attacks by malware or hackers.

Microsoft Advanced Threats Analytics is continuously learning and therefore always improving, ensuring that it remains up to date and valid throughout your use of the service.

How to integrate Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security into your business?

Regardless of the size of your company, it is crucial to prioritise data security, especially if you handle sensitive information across various devices, employ freelancers, or have team members who work remotely.

While many businesses may not have on-site IT engineers due to budget constraints, taking the necessary precautions to prevent data breaches and cyber attacks is essential.

These threats can not only damage your business's reputation but also cause irreversible financial harm.

How can aztech help you?

As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Aztech have a thorough understanding and wide-ranging experience of serving the security needs of businesses large and small.

Aztech will assess your day-to-day operations and advise on the best possible option to ensure that your company functions successfully and efficiently within the digital realm. You can get detailed information about Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + Security by downloading our datasheet.

To find out more about how Microsoft EMS can boost your security profile and give your management team peace of mind when deploying sensitive data internally and externally of the business, get in touch with us today.