Mobile Device Management for iPads & Chromebooks: Better Security, Smarter Management

It doesn’t take a massive breach to cause a major problem. One misplaced Chromebook or an unprotected iPad can open the door to a data leak, and those leaks aren’t cheap. IBM’s research pegs the average cost of a data breach at $4.4 million. That number isn’t just for huge corporations. Schools, local businesses, and nonprofits face their own expensive consequences when devices go missing or get compromised.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) serves as a central command post for all your iPads and Chromebooks. Instead of relying on individual users to keep devices secure and up to date, MDM lets IT teams or even a single administrator set policies, push updates, and track issues without touching each device in person.

In this post, we’ll look at why MDM matters, the specific ways it strengthens security and simplifies management, and a few best practices for making the most of it.

Why Mobile Device Management Matters for iPads & Chromebooks

An iPad in a classroom or a Chromebook in a sales meeting might not seem like a cybersecurity risk, but without oversight, both can become just that. MDM changes the equation by enrolling each device, whether it’s owned by your organization or part of a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) setup, into a single, managed environment, often as part of comprehensive managed IT services.

From there, administrators can set rules, monitor compliance, and manage updates. That’s important because not all devices in use are actually on IT’s radar. One study found that only about 32% of companies require every work device to be registered. Add the fact that many employees connect personal devices to work accounts without telling anyone, and you’ve got blind spots big enough to drive a truck through.

Misconfigured devices add another layer of risk. If a Chromebook isn’t running the right security settings or an iPad is missing critical updates, those gaps can be exploited. And when remote work or hybrid classrooms are involved, those devices may connect from less-than-secure networks, making the situation even more complicated.

How MDM Delivers Better Security and Management

The beauty of MDM is that it addresses two problems at once: It locks down devices to reduce the risk of a breach, and it makes managing those devices less of a logistical nightmare.

Enforces Strong Security Measures

MDM lets you do more than set a password. You can require encryption on every device, making stored data unreadable without the right credentials, an important way to strengthen cybersecurity for businesses. Multi-factor authentication adds another hurdle for anyone trying to log in without permission, and geo-fencing can limit where devices are allowed to access your systems.

If a device is lost or stolen, it can be locked or wiped remotely. That’s a quick, decisive way to cut off access before data ends up in the wrong hands.

Controls Apps and Data

Uncontrolled app downloads can be a backdoor for malware. MDM tools help here by allowing only approved apps, blocking those that could be risky, and even deploying required apps directly to the device.

For BYOD users, there’s an added layer of containerization. This creates a wall between work and personal data, so the company can protect its information without poking around in someone’s personal photos or messages. Data loss prevention policies can go further, blocking certain copy-paste actions or file transfers to make leaks less likely.

Simplifies Device Management

Without MDM, keeping track of every iPad or Chromebook is like herding cats, especially if some are hundreds of miles away. With MDM, you get a dashboard showing the status of every managed device, whether it’s compliant with policies, and if any issues need immediate attention.

Updates, security patches, and settings changes can be pushed out to everyone at once, which means no more one-by-one fixes. And when something goes wrong, IT staff can troubleshoot remotely, cutting downtime for users and headaches for support teams.

Maintains Compliance

If your work involves sensitive data, compliance isn’t optional. MDM helps enforce the configurations required by laws like HIPAA, GDPR, or SOC 2. It can also block access to critical systems for devices that don’t meet those standards and generate logs that make audits a whole lot less stressful.

Specific Benefits for iPads & Chromebooks

For iPads

Built-in Apple features like Activation Lock and Find My iPad pair well with MDM, making it easier to recover a device or keep it locked if recovery isn’t possible. MDM can also preload accounts, apps, and settings so new devices are ready to use right out of the box.

For Chromebooks

MDM integrates with Google Workspace Admin, allowing IT to set sign-in restrictions, control OS updates, and apply app installation rules. That ensures every Chromebook is consistent in both performance and security.

Best Practices for MDM Success

Technology works best when the policies behind it are clear and consistent. A few key tips include:

• Require enrollment before access: No exceptions. If it’s not managed, it doesn’t connect to your resources.
• Set strong authentication rules: Short idle locks, PIN or password requirements, and, where possible, biometric or multi-factor authentication.
• Limit services when not in use: Turning off Bluetooth or location services when they’re unnecessary reduces the device’s exposure.
• Train your users: Even the best system won’t help if people don’t understand phishing threats, risky networks, or why permissions matter.
• Check compliance regularly: Use MDM’s reporting tools to find issues before they cause problems.
• Secure the connections: Configure devices for trusted Wi-Fi and VPN access only.

Protect and Streamline Your Device Fleet Today

Keeping iPads and Chromebooks secure doesn’t have to be a constant balancing act between usability and safety. With MDM, you can enforce strong protections, manage devices efficiently, and still give users the flexibility they need to get their work done.

At Unbound Digital, we’ve helped organizations, from schools to small businesses, put MDM strategies in place that protect data without making devices harder to use. It’s about creating a system that works quietly in the background so your team can stay focused on what matters.

If you’re ready to get more control over your iPads and Chromebooks, while reducing security risks and IT workload, contact us. We’ll help you set up a plan that’s secure, efficient, and built for the way you work.