Four Key Forces That Impact Device Management Today

Written by Sanjana Y on February 13, 2025

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The world of device management has undergone a transformation so drastic that it’s no longer recognizable from just a few years ago.

The COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a shift to hybrid work, set the stage for massive changes. But even now, in 2025, we’re still adjusting to the new working style. The key challenge? Device management isn’t just about maintaining control over physical machines anymore. It’s about navigating a digital ecosystem where employees are mobile, empowered, and unpredictable in how they work.

Traditional device management systems were built for an era when desktops were the backbone of work. Today’s workforce is mobile-first, and more diverse than ever. This new reality is reshaping how we approach device management.

Let’s look into the four key forces that are driving this change.

1. The Permanently Mobile Workplace: Not Just a Trend, But a New Normal

Remember the days when working from the office meant sitting at a desk with a fixed, wired computer?

That world is a distant memory.

Today, nearly every employee has a laptop, tablet, or phone—and often, a combination of all three—at their disposal. Whether it is for meetings, document collaboration, or accessing critical apps, these portable devices have become an indispensable tool for everyday tasks.

In fact, with remote work evolving into a hybrid model, mobility isn’t just a perk anymore; it’s essential for productivity.

IT departments are now grappling with the complexities of supporting a highly mobile workforce and navigating varied return-to-office policies.

Jumpcloud’s SME IT Trends report reveals a diverse range of approaches, from full-time office returns (47%) to hybrid models (43%) and fully remote setups (9%). This shift has made the old methods of device management, which relied heavily on in-office hardware, feel very inefficient.

The Takeaway: Traditional device management solutions aren’t designed for a workforce that operates across multiple devices, platforms, and geographies. If you’re still using legacy systems, it’s time to rethink your approach.

2. The “Get It Done” Culture: Empowerment Over Oversight

With fewer people working in the office, and with hybrid schedules, employees are operating with more autonomy.

The workplace is no longer about clocking in at a desk. Rather, it’s about getting things done quickly and efficiently. In fact, over 60% of employees now prefer to solve problems on their own, using the tools and devices they’re most comfortable with, instead of waiting for IT to step in. This self-sufficiency has been a catalyst for creative problem-solving and quicker decision-making.

However, this shift isn’t without consequences.

The lack of IT oversight has become a serious issue. Employees frequently use personal devices to access work resources, which creates vulnerabilities. A smartphone may access sensitive data.

An employee may use their tablet for video conferences without proper security measures. The issue is compounded by the fact that the digital-native workforce often adopts new tools without fully considering security ramifications.

The Takeaway: This means device management solutions must evolve to support diverse environments. Employees may be empowered to choose their tools, but they still need to adhere to security protocols. Your policies should allow flexibility while ensuring data safety.

3. Keeping Up with the Tech

Every day, new tech emerges. Whether it’s the latest AI-driven collaboration tool or an update to multi-factor authentication (MFA), staying ahead of the curve is essential.

But for IT teams, this constant innovation presents a challenge. Devices evolve faster than the device management systems designed to control them. In some cases organizations find themselves scrambling to keep up with new features, security patches, and platform updates.

A great example of this is the rapid adoption of biometric authentication. 92% of IT professionals agree that biometric capabilities are critical for securing new devices in today’s workplace. But, 68% of admins report that less than half of the devices they currently manage have biometric capabilities. This gap makes it challenging for IT to deliver on their promises of a secure workplace.

In most organizations, employees now use at least two devices for work, especially in the context of MFA. If these devices aren’t properly integrated into the company’s management system, the risk of a security breach skyrockets.

The Takeaway: Technology is advancing at lightning speed. It’s no longer enough for device management solutions to simply track and configure devices. They must also be adaptable and support cutting-edge features like biometric security, MFA, and cloud-based app integrations.

4. The Unavoidable Rise of BYOD: Embrace It or Fight It

Bring your own device (BYOD) isn’t just a trend; it’s a reality.

Even in workplaces where BYOD policies are formally discouraged, personal devices are making their way into the office. Employees use a personal smartphone to respond to work emails. They use a tablet to take notes during a Zoom meeting.

The boundary between personal and professional devices is rapidly eroding.

BYOD can improve employee satisfaction and provide greater flexibility. But it also brings significant risks. This is especially so if personal devices are used to access sensitive company data.

For device management teams, this is a critical pain point. The challenge is ensuring these devices don’t become security loopholes while also respecting employee autonomy.

In fact, Jumpcloud’s research shows that over 80% of organizations use BYOD today. While BYOD offers benefits like improved employee productivity (reported by 68% of organizations), it also introduces security concerns. For example, 30% of IT leaders cite information security as the biggest obstacle to BYOD adoption. For device management teams, this is a critical pain point. The challenge is ensuring these devices don’t become security loopholes while also respecting employee autonomy.

The Takeaway: Since BYOD is here to stay, organizations must adapt accordingly. Device management systems must be capable of managing both company-owned and personal devices without compromising security. This requires granular control over device settings and access levels, along with the ability to quickly implement new policies across a variety of platforms.

Wrapping Up: Adapting to the New Normal

The forces driving change in device management—mobility, employee autonomy, rapid technological advancement, and the rise of BYOD—are reshaping the way organizations think about security, productivity, and IT management.

For organizations still relying on legacy systems, managing a mobile-first, flexible environment can feel daunting. But it’s not an insurmountable challenge.

By embracing modern, scalable device management solutions, organizations can remain secure, productive, and agile in a rapidly changing landscape.

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