Mobile devices have become one of the top targets for cybercriminals due to their frequent access to sensitive business data.
Recent reports show the number of enterprise data breaches continues to rise year after year. This risk is further amplified by the reality that these devices are often used outside the company’s secure network, on public Wi-Fi networks, for example which are highly vulnerable to attacks.
To address these challenges, many businesses are turning to Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) systems. With MDM, companies gain full control over devices to ensure compliance with established security policies.
On the other hand, MAM focuses on securing only specific business applications, ensuring corporate data remains protected while preserving employees’ personal privacy.
Each solution has its own set of advantages and limitations, depending on the organization’s needs and policies. In this article, explore the key differences between MDM and MAM, and help you determine which option aligns best with your business requirements.
The Differences Between MDM and MAM
Before deciding which approach fits your business, it's important to dive deeper into what MDM and MAM actually are, how they work, and what their pros and cons look like in real-world use.
What is Mobile Device Management (MDM)?
MDM (mobile device management system) is a solution designed to manage and secure all mobile devices used within an organization. Its core function is to ensure devices are compliant with the company’s security policies.
Some key features of MDM include:
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Real-time device monitoring: Allows IT admins to track the status and activity of devices remotely.
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Application control: Determines which apps are allowed on the device and manages their usage.
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Data security enforcement: Enforces encryption and company-wide security settings.
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Remote wipe: If a device is lost or stolen, all sensitive data can be erased immediately.
Advantages of MDM
The biggest advantage of using an MDM system is that it provides full control and strong security over corporate mobile devices. Some specific benefits include:
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Increased security: Continuous monitoring enables the IT team to detect threats early and respond quickly.
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Centralized management: Companies can manage multiple devices from a single platform, making it easier to enforce updates and security settings.
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Remote data protection: If a device falls into the wrong hands, data can be wiped instantly to prevent leaks.
Disadvantages of MDM
While MDM is powerful, it’s not without downsides:
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Employee Intrusiveness: Some employees might find it uncomfortable to have their devices constantly monitored, especially if they use the same device for personal use.
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Privacy concerns: In BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments, employees may be hesitant about giving their employer access to their personal device, even if it's for security purposes.
What is Mobile Application Management (MAM)?
Now that we’ve covered MDM, let’s move on to Mobile Application Management (MAM), which offers a different approach to mobile security and management.
Unlike MDM, which manages entire devices, MAM focuses solely on managing and securing business applications installed on employee devices. It does not control the device as a whole but ensures that only specific apps comply with company policies.
MAM typically includes features such as:
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App-level management: IT can control app installations, updates, and removals.
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In-app data protection: Sensitive data within apps is secured via encryption and strict policies.
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Role-based access: Controls who can access which apps based on employee roles and responsibilities.
Advantages of MAM
Some of the specific benefits of MAM include:
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Business data stays safe: Even if employees use their personal phones, MAM ensures corporate data within certain apps remains protected.
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Employee privacy is respected: Since only certain apps are managed, personal use of the device isn’t affected.
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Ideal for BYOD setups: Perfect for companies that allow employees to use their own devices, without risking data leaks.
Disadvantages of MAM
While MAM has many benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider:
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Limited device control: Since it doesn’t manage the whole device, some security vulnerabilities may remain.
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App management complexity: Keeping apps up-to-date and secure across many devices can be resource-intensive for the IT team.
Mobile Device Management (MDM) vs Mobile Application Management (MAM): Which Should You Choose?
After understanding what MDM and MAM are, along with their respective benefits and limitations, let’s now discuss how to choose between the two based on your business needs.
Factors to Consider
There are several important factors to consider before deciding.
1. Device Ownership?
Ownership of the device plays a major role in choosing between MDM and MAM. If the mobile devices are provided and managed by the company, then MDM (mobile device management system) is typically the more appropriate solution. It allows the organization to implement full control over device usage, configurations, and security enforcement without crossing privacy boundaries, since the devices are company property.
However, if employees are using their own personal devices (BYOD - Bring Your Own Device) for work, MAM (mobile application management tends to be the better option. MAM allows businesses to secure corporate data within specific apps without interfering with the employee’s personal device usage.
That said, open and clear communication with employees is essential before implementation, to maintain transparency and build trust around data access boundaries.
2. Level of Data Sensitivity
The sensitivity level of the data your business handles also influences which solution is more suitable. If your company works with highly confidential information such as medical records, financial transactions, or legal data, then using an MDM mobile device management system can provide a more comprehensive and reliable layer of protection.
With MDM, security policies are applied to the entire device, reducing the risk of unauthorized access or data leaks. On the other hand, if most of your business operations involve accessing corporate data through specific mobile applications like CRM tools, collaboration apps, or project management software, MAM mobile application management might be enough to keep data secure.
It offers a focused approach, protecting just the apps and data that matter most without needing to manage the whole device.
3. Privacy Concerns
Privacy is a critical concern, especially in workplaces that support BYOD policies. Employees may be uncomfortable with the idea of their entire personal device being monitored or controlled by the company. In these cases, MAM provides a more privacy-conscious solution. Since it only manages specific applications used for work, employees can continue using their devices for personal activities without feeling intruded upon.
In contrast, while MDM offers more extensive control, it can raise red flags around privacy if used on personally owned devices. Organizations must carefully weigh the need for security against the importance of maintaining employee trust and, if MDM is required, consider limiting it to company-issued devices to avoid conflict.
When to Use MDM
Choose MDM mobile device management system when your company needs full control over devices and cannot afford security gaps. Examples include:
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Healthcare: Medical staff using devices that access patient data need maximum protection, both for compliance and privacy.
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Finance: Financial firms handling sensitive transactions and client data require strict device management to stay compliant and secure.
When to Use MAM
MAM mobile application management is ideal when flexibility and user privacy are priorities. Use cases include:
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Sales teams: Reps accessing customer data through CRM apps on personal devices can stay secure without sacrificing usability.
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Consultants: Professionals switching between client environments can use apps safely without having to control their device.
Choosing between MDM (Mobile Device Management) and MAM (Mobile Application Management) depends entirely on your company’s unique needs and circumstances. MDM offers broader control and security, making it ideal for company-owned devices with high security demands.
Meanwhile, MAM provides flexibility and privacy, particularly well-suited for Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) environments.
At Telkomsel Enterprise, we offer a robust Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution tailored to keep your business data safe and improve productivity. Our MDM service enables seamless implementation through zero-touch enrollment, flexible payment options, and integration with other Telkomsel Enterprise solutions.
Our system allows companies to manage device permissions and network access, ensuring data stays protected against cyber threats. With more than 100 active accounts and productivity improvements reaching up to 90%, our MDM solution delivers enhanced visibility and control over enterprise mobile devices.
Secure your company’s mobile assets today with Telkomsel Enterprise’s MDM services. Contact us to learn more.
