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Managing a fleet of devices in today’s IT landscape is no small feat. With multiple operating systems (OS) to support, ever-changing user requirements, and increasingly sophisticated security risks, device managers and IT professionals face an uphill battle.
From ensuring compatibility across platforms to maintaining the security of sensitive data, the challenges are both technical and operational. Adding to the complexity are demands for seamless user experiences and the need to adapt to remote or hybrid work environments, making efficient device management more critical than ever.
During our recent webinar Top 5 Device Management Challenges to Watch For, we explored the top five device management challenges organizations encounter today and discussed actionable strategies to overcome them. Read on to find out which (and how many!) challenges you may face, and watch the on-demand webinar to learn more about how to overcome them.
Supporting Multiple OS Types
Gone are the days when organizations relied on a single OS. Today’s IT environments are increasingly heterogeneous, with employees utilizing a mix of Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. While empowering employees with device choice enhances productivity, it creates new challenges for IT teams.
“More and more organizations are heterogeneous within their fleet by default… The goal for every organization is to make sure that we’re operating as efficiently as possible, and for users and employees, that really comes down to device choice.”
Chase Doelling, Principal Strategist, JumpCloud
Managing a diverse fleet requires robust solutions capable of harmonizing multi-OS environments. Unified endpoint management (UEM) platforms can help IT teams achieve seamless oversight by enabling centralized monitoring, patching, and configuration—regardless of the OS.
Integrating Device and Identity Management
The rise of bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies and flexible work environments has highlighted the critical need for integrated device and identity management. Employees often switch between devices or locations, making it challenging for IT teams to ensure consistent, secure access across the board.
“What we’re really recommending here… is making sure that it’s bound through a cloud directory because that gives you the most freedom and flexibility in terms of how you want to manage not only what’s happening on the user side but then also on the devices and making sure that they’re in sync.”
Chase Doelling, Principal Strategist, JumpCloud
A centralized cloud directory service bridges the gap between user identities and devices, enabling seamless configuration, authentication, and enforcement of security policies—all without compromising convenience for end-users.
Keeping Software Updated and Secure
Updating and patching software systems consistently is critical to maintaining security and operational efficiency.
However, this process becomes increasingly complex in multi-OS environments with varying software requirements. Unpatched vulnerabilities are among the most common entry points for cyberattacks, putting organizations at significant risk.
Having robust patch management tools and update automation processes in place is essential. These solutions ensure every device in your fleet runs the latest software versions, eliminating potential vulnerabilities while improving system performance. IT professionals should also prioritize inventory management to identify unsupported applications that may pose risks.
Maintaining Consistent Security and Compliance
With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks and growing regulatory requirements, IT teams face mounting pressure to maintain security and compliance across every device. Uniform application of security policies across multi-OS fleets is critical, but implementing consistent measures can be challenging, particularly for distributed workforces.
“When you’re starting to think about compliance, and particularly adding in this additional layer of MFA, it really becomes important in terms of where you’re adding it in. What we’ve seen too is… more organizations looking to consolidate specifically on the device management side.”
Rob McGrath, Product Manager, JumpCloud
To secure environments and meet compliance requirements, organizations should implement:
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect user accounts.
- Device health checkpoints ensuring only secure devices access corporate resources.
- Dynamic security policies that adapt to varying regulatory needs.
A unified management strategy simplifies these processes, providing IT teams with a holistic view of security risks while ensuring compliance requirements are met.
Simplifying Compliance Reporting
Proving compliance during audits can be time-consuming, especially for IT teams managing large fleets. Whether it’s PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GDPR, reporting on compliance for multiple devices requires a systematic approach.
Unified reporting tools integrated with your device management platform can collect, analyze, and present compliance data in real time—removing manual processes from the equation. Investing in such tools helps IT teams track compliance status, generate audit-ready reports, and maintain accountability without added workload.
Watch the Full Webinar for Actionable Solutions
These insights only scratch the surface of what’s covered in the webinar Top 5 Device Management Challenges to Watch For. Hosted by JumpCloud experts Chase Doelling, Principal Strategist, and Rob McGrath, Product Manager, the session dives deep into these challenges and offers actionable solutions tailored for IT professionals.
From exploring advanced UEM tools to highlighting case studies from real-world use cases, the webinar is your go-to resource for navigating the complexities of device management in modern enterprises.
The key to success lies in adopting platforms that provide comprehensive, unified management while future-proofing your IT operations. For more expert advice and practical solutions, watch the webinar and equip yourself with the knowledge to stay ahead in the evolving digital landscape.Start optimizing your IT infrastructure—watch the full webinar now!
