Struggling with Management of Your Shared Mobile Devices?

How do your users access their mobile computers and tablets? Is there security in place which prevents unauthorized access? Is the security profile based upon the user’s role, or is it set by device? Many companies have found that typical device management practices leave the organization at risk for device loss, waste, and security challenges. In this environment, Zebra created Identity Guardian, an authentication solution which is specifically targeted for enterprise users.

The Challenges with Shared Mobile Device Authentication

In most warehouse and industrial environments, devices are shared by users across different shifts. The same user will likely use a different mobile device each day. So how do your users sign into devices? The typical approaches each have shortcomings:

1. No device passcode – Complete lack of device control
2. Shared PINs – Loss of accountability for individual users
3. Complex PINs and passwords – Difficult for users to remember, encourages ‘workarounds’
4. Biometrics – Support single users, not shared users
5. Storing data in the cloud – Creates liability concerns around users’ personal information

How Identity Guardian Works and Adapts to Your Organization’s Device Strategy

Zebra Identity Guardian resides on your mobile devices. The authentication process is simple, and slightly different depending on whether you have shared or personally assigned devices:

Shared Devices

If your organization uses a pool of devices, with users randomly picking a device for each shift, you will benefit from a solution which can authenticate individual users rather than using a shared password. This graphic shows the Identity Guardian process for shared device authentication:

Individually-Assigned Devices

If your organization assigns specific devices to specific users, Identity Guardian can adapt to create a secure yet user-friendly authentication process, as shows below:

Identity Guardian Creates Visibility to Your Devices

From an IT management perspective, Identity Guardian provides a huge benefit of easy visibility into which devices are being used by which users. This will save time and effort in locating and trouble-shooting device issues and also creates accountability for your users if devices are lost, not returned, or damaged on their watch.

Sample screen from Identity Guardian management interface:

Primary Benefits of Identity Guardian Solution

• Accountability – Better understand user activity and track device sign-ins and sign-outs
• Data protection – Multiple layers of protection keep your user and company data secure
• Application support – Integrated with IdPs to simply authentication by leveraging single sign-on (SSO).
• Familiar user experience – A common login makes it quick to train users
• Increased visibility – Gain a clear view of all devices in or out of service and all user profiles
• Convenient and secure – Zebra seamlessly merges biometric authentication with multifactor login protocols

Learn More About Identity Guardian

To discuss the Identity Guardian authentication solution for your device fleet, please contact the Zebra experts at CSSI Technologies.