Unified Endpoint Management

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) Definition

Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) is a comprehensive approach to managing and securing all endpoint devices in an organization, including desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices, from a single central platform. UEM combines mobile device management (MDM), mobile application management (MAM), and personal computer management (PCM) functions. In short, what is UEM? A single console for inventorying, configuring, updating and securing computers, servers and mobile devices, instead of a separate tool for each group of devices.

Goals and Benefits of UEM Implementation

• Centralization of all endpoint device management
• Increased data and device security
• Improved employee productivity
• IT cost reduction through unified management tools
• Ensuring compliance with regulations and security policies
• Facilitating application and operating system deployment and updates
• Enabling effective device management in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments

Key UEM Functions

• Device management: Configuration, monitoring, and control of endpoint devices
• Application management: Distribution, updating, and access control for applications
• Security management: Enforcing security policies, data encryption, remote locking and wiping of devices
• Identity and access management: Integration with identity management systems and resource access control
• Analysis and reporting: Monitoring device status, generating reports, and trend analysis
• Automation: Automatic deployment of updates and security policies
• Multi-platform support: Support for various operating systems and device types

How Does Unified Endpoint Management Work?

• Device registration: Adding devices to the UEM system
• Configuration: Applying appropriate settings and security policies
• Monitoring: Continuous tracking of device status and policy compliance
• Management: Remote deployment of applications, updates, and configuration changes
• Enforcement: Automatic enforcement of security policies
• Reporting: Generating reports and analyses on device status and compliance

UEM and security — inventory and secure configuration

From a security perspective, UEM answers two basic questions: which devices the company has, and whether they are configured the way they should be. That is exactly the scope of two safeguards in the CIS Controls v8 list: Control 1 calls for actively managing every company asset — user devices (mobile ones too), network gear, IoT and servers — so you know what needs protecting and can catch unauthorized hardware; Control 4 calls for establishing and maintaining a secure configuration of those assets and their software. In its SP 800-124r2 guidelines (where UEM appears as another name for EMM), NIST describes such tools as enforcing security policies on devices, detecting and reporting policy violations on their own and, where possible, responding automatically.

UEM does not replace EDR, though: UEM looks after the state and configuration of a device, while EDR detects an attack that still plays out on it. An example of a UEM-class tool for workstations and servers is Ivanti Endpoint Manager — the vendor describes it as client-based UEM covering devices from Windows and macOS to Linux, ChromeOS and IoT.

Differences Between MDM, EMM, and UEM

• MDM (Mobile Device Management): Focuses mainly on managing mobile devices
• EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management): Extends MDM functions with mobile application and content management
• UEM: Comprehensive solution covering management of all endpoint device types, including desktop computers and IoT devices

Tools and Technologies Supporting UEM

• baramundi Management Suite
• MobileIron UEM
• Microsoft Intune
• Citrix Endpoint Management
• BlackBerry UEM

UEM Implementation Challenges

• Integration with existing IT infrastructure
• Ensuring compatibility with various device types and operating systems
• Managing data privacy, especially in BYOD environments
• Training employees and IT team on new processes and tools
• Ensuring UEM solution scalability as the organization grows
• Balancing security with user convenience

Best Practices in UEM Management

• Developing a comprehensive endpoint device management strategy
• Regularly updating security policies and device configurations
• Implementing strong authentication and access control mechanisms
• Ensuring continuous monitoring and device status analysis
• Automating routine management and update tasks
• Regular training for users and IT team
• Integrating UEM with other security and IT management systems
• Regular testing and evaluation of UEM solution effectiveness

Unified Endpoint Management is a key element of modern IT management strategy, enabling organizations to effectively manage and secure an increasingly diverse endpoint device environment.

Learn more

• What is PAM (Privileged Access Management) and How Does It Work?
• FortiEDR: Real-Time Endpoint Protection

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