Google announced the launch of some new Google Apps Mobile Management features for Android to help organizations manage BYOD policies.
These include inactive account wipe, support for EAP-based WiFi networks, compromised device detection, and additional reporting fields.
“Bring your own device (BYOD) is no longer just a trend — it’s how business gets done,” says Google Enterprise product manager Clayton Jones. “With thousands of mobile applications to choose from and an increasing number of websites optimized for mobile, today’s employees can work whenever and wherever they choose. It also means IT organizations now have the dual challenge of both helping employees be more productive and protecting corporate data.”
These features are aimed at helping businesses meet such challenges.
You can set policies to wipe an inactive account from a device if it hasn’t been synced for a predetermined number of days. This way, a lot device that wasn’t reported or an old device no longer in use doesn’t create a security risk.
Google says you can configure settings and distribute certificate authority based certs for EAP networks. You can also set policies to detect signals for common forms a compromised device, like “rooting” or installing a custom “ROM”, and block the device.
“Access new reporting fields via the API and Admin console to better understand the devices that are in use and troubleshoot issues,” says Jones. “Additional fields include: Serial number, IMEI, MEID, WiFi MAC address, baseband version, kernel version, build number, mobile operator/carrier, language settings, and account ownership/management.”
Earlier this week, we learned that Google acquired Divide, which provides a platform combining cloud-based management and device-level technology to help get the most out of mobile technology and corporate BYOD policies.
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