Modern Device Management Practices

Why Modern Businesses Need Cloud-Based Device Management

In today’s hybrid workplace, your team may work on a variety of devices like personal and business owned laptops and phones. The flexibility is great for productivity, but it also means your business data now lives on devices you don’t fully control.

That’s where cloud-based device management, such as Microsoft Intune, becomes essential. These tools help businesses protect data, secure devices, and maintain compliance without the cost or complexity of old on-premise systems.

Below is why modern organizations, from 5 employees to 500, benefit from using a cloud-first approach to device management.

What Is Cloud-Based Modern Device Management?

Cloud device management allows businesses to centrally manage, secure, and monitor company laptops, phones, and tablets from anywhere. This is sometimes referred to as Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Mobile Application Management (MAM). However, the word Mobile isn't just limited to phones - it really means any employee device (Mac, Windows, iPhone, Android, etc.)

Tools like Microsoft Intune or Google's MDM products provide a single dashboard where you can:

• Configure security settings

• Enforce encryption

• Install apps and updates

• Restrict risky behavior

• Remove business data from lost or stolen devices

• Separate company data from personal apps on BYOD devices

  
  

All without needing a server, a complicated VPN, or manually configuring every device.

Why It Matters to Business Owners

Modern businesses face three major challenges that cloud-based device management solves:

1. Your team works everywhere

People use multiple devices, sometimes their own personal ones. Cloud management ensures security follows the user's identity.

2. Cybersecurity insurance and compliance requirements are rising

Most policies now expect businesses to have device encryption, MFA, patching, and the ability to wipe company data remotely. Cloud management simplifies all of this.

3. You can’t rely on “trust” when securing sensitive business data

Policies and automation reduce human error and eliminate inconsistent configurations from device to device.

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: A Laptop Is Lost or Stolen

Without a management tool, you’re hoping the person never opens the device.

With cloud management:

• Encryption is enforced automatically

• The device password meets your security standards

• You can issue a remote wipe to protect sensitive data

• You can prove compliance for insurance or regulators

The conversation shifts from panic to action.

Scenario 2: An Employee Leaves Suddenly

Traditional environments often rely on hoping the user returns their device—or worse, that nothing sensitive lives on their personal phone.

With Intune or similar tools, you can:

• Remove business access instantly

• Selectively wipe company data from personal devices

• Retain control of email, files, and apps

• Keep personal photos, texts, and apps untouched

This protects your business while respecting employee privacy.

Scenario 3: Keeping Devices Updated and Encrypted

Devices fall behind on patches, updates, or encryption when they rely on manual management. Cloud management ensures every device meets your compliance standards:

• Encryption required

• Updates automatically installed

• Antivirus active

• Apps configured correctly

• No risky software installed

Everything is consistent, even in a remote or hybrid workforce.

Why Microsoft Intune Is a Strong Choice

Intune integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, making it ideal for businesses already using Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Benefits include:

• Automatic security hardening on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android

• Simple enrollment for new devices

• Clear reporting on device health and compliance

• Strong BYOD protections

• Ability to automate secure configurations instead of manually managing them

It’s designed for the way businesses work today, not the way they worked 10 years ago.

If you use Google Workspace at your business, Google also has a lot of tools and features for device management and you can start by simply using their Enterprise Chrome Browser.

Schedule a Free Consultation

Get practical guidance on securing your devices and protecting your business.

Book a call today: elevatecybersolutions.com