MobileIron Unveils New Tool For Partners To Secure Cloud Data On Mobile Devices

MobileIron on Tuesday unveiled a new tool for securing corporate data in the cloud from mobile devices: MobileIron Access.

MobileIron Access is designed to address the security gap between enterprise mobility management solutions and cloud access security broker solutions -- while both these types of solutions authorize devices and users in enterprise settings, cloud apps must be authorized too.

According to Chris Dobrec, senior director of product management at MobileIron, MobileIron Access enables MobileIron resellers to offer strategic services to customers. "I think that in terms of opportunities for the channel, this opens new conversations with them to discuss the security model for mobile and cloud," he said. "It's a great opportunity for the channel to participate in those conversations."

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The solution can be integrated into other enterprise cloud apps, including Box, Google Apps for Work, Office 365 and Salesforce, and does not require any modifications to these apps, according to the company.

It also integrates with identity providers such as ADFS and PingOne; provides visibility into users, apps and devices accessing the cloud service for auditing and compliance; and supports federal authentication with the dominant single sign-on standard, SAML, MobileIron said.

While many IT administrators are cautious about risks affiliated with their devices, Dobrec added, many are not aware of the security threats that are prevalent with cloud applications.

"For enterprise customers, some may be aware, some may not be aware [of security risks]," said Dobrec. "The big macro trend here is rapid adoption of data services on mobile devices. It's a matter of enterprise getting more comfortable with data on their devices."

At least one partner sees promise in the new security solution -- which ensures that only approved applications with data managed in the enterprise sandbox can connect to the cloud service on mobile devices. The solution can be a way to continue strategic conversations around mobile security in the workplace with IT administrators, according to Paul Troisi, founder and chief customer officer at Troy Mobility, a Peabody, Mass.-based MobileIron partner.

"MobileIron has identified the security gap as a major problem," said Troisi. "[Mobility Access] allows us to continue to have that strategic conservation with customers to identify their security flaws. It's another tool in our bag to help customers."

MobileIron Access is the latest product to be added to the Mountain View, Calif.-based company’s solution portfolio, which also contains security measures like MobileIron Sentry, which protects data in motion and blocks access from noncompliant devices, and Identity Access Management integration, which enables IT administrators to make access decisions based on the state of the device.

MobileIron Access will be available this quarter as part of the company’s Enterprise Mobility Management’s Platinum Bundle, according to Dobrec.