Using an iPhone for both personal and business purposes offers many benefits for companies and employees, such as increased productivity, cost savings, and user acceptance. However, successful mobile strategies require securely integrating these devices into the corporate environment, which includes strictly separating personal data and apps from sensitive corporate data. While Android devices have a dedicated work profile for this purpose, iPhones do not have an equivalent feature. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to securely integrate iPhones used for both personal and business purposes into your mobile strategy, despite the lack of a dedicated iOS work profile.
The iOS Business Container: Apple’s Solution to Work Profiles
The iOS business container is Apple’s solution to the challenge of securely separating personal and corporate data on a single device. Unlike the Android work profile, which provides a complete separation of work and personal areas within one device, Apple uses a native container-based approach to isolate business data.
Differences Between the iOS Business Container and Android Work Profiles
While Android enables a clear separation through different profiles, iOS relies on isolating business data within a native container. This approach offers a different type of management and control, where integration with a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system plays a crucial role.
Benefits of the iOS Business Container:
- Security: Business data is isolated and cannot interact with personal apps.
- Convenience: Employees can use a single device for both personal and business purposes.
- Management: IT departments have control over corporate data without affecting a user’s personal data.
Components and Setup of a Business Container
To successfully set up an iOS business container, organizations need two essential components: the Apple Business Manager and an MDM solution, for example, Cortado MDM.
The Apple Business Manager is a web-based portal that allows companies to manage Apple devices and apps centrally. With the Apple Business Manager, IT admins can register and manage devices, deploy apps and content, and automatically configure devices.
For setting up and managing the iOS business container, an MDM solution like Cortado MDM is needed. Mobile Device Management enables the creation of policies for the work profile on iPhones, ensuring strict data separation.
By combining these two components – the Apple Business Manager and an MDM solution, businesses can set up a robust iOS business container that supports secure and efficient operation of mobile strategies. This combination enables seamless separation of personal and corporate data.
How to Create a Work Profile on iPhones
Once all necessary settings have been made in the Apple Business Manager, you can ensure through the MDM system that the work area is clearly separated from the personal area on the iPhone.
This means that admins only have access to the work profile on the iPhone and can remove it from the device if necessary. Personal data can neither be viewed nor removed.
The work profile can be rolled out to the iPhone using an MDM system. This is done in the following steps:
- MDM Registration: The device is registered in the MDM system.
- Policy Configuration: The administrator configures the policies for the Business Container.
- Deployment: The Business Container, including necessary apps and data, is deployed to the device.
This MDM-supported business container ensures strict separation of personal and corporate data, allowing companies to securely and efficiently use iOS devices in the corporate environment without compromising security.
How to Remove Work Profiles from iOS Devices
Removing iOS devices from the BYOD program or removing the work profile from the iPhone is done via the MDM system:
- Open MDM Console: The administrator opens the MDM console.
- Select Device: The corresponding device is selected.
- Initiate Removal: The administrator starts the removal of the work profile. All business data and apps are securely removed from the device without affecting personal data.
Seamless Integration of iOS Devices with Cortado MDM
A Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution such as Cortado MDM is crucial for setting up and managing the iOS business container. Cortado MDM offers the following features:
- Centralized Management: Manage all registered devices from a central console.
- Security Policies and Configurations: IT admins can set security policies and configurations for all business apps and data on the devices.
- App Management: Business apps can be centrally deployed and managed, simplifying installation and updates.
- Separation of Personal and Corporate Data: Cortado MDM ensures business data is securely isolated in a container, preventing interaction with personal apps.
- Monitoring and Support: The IT department can check device status and usage and provide support as needed.
Managing iOS devices with Cortado MDM makes it easy and secure to use them for both business and personal purposes, ensuring clear data separation. Cortado MDM ensures that businesses retain control over their data while employees stay flexible. Learn more about managing iOS devices with Cortado MDM.