In short
Mobile device management (MDM) sets up, controls and can wipe your business phones and tablets; mobile threat defence protects them from phishing, malicious apps and risky networks. We supply both: MDM such as IBM MaaS360 and Sophos Mobile, mobile threat defence from Check Point, CrowdStrike, Lookout, ThreatDown, Bitdefender, Trend Micro and WatchGuard, plus network services with EE Business and Three Business.
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Why device management and mobile security go together
A business phone is a business endpoint. It holds email, documents and customer details, and it signs people in to everything else. Two kinds of tool keep it safe:
- Mobile device management (MDM or UEM). Enrols devices, applies settings and security policies, installs and removes apps, separates work data from personal data and can lock or wipe a lost phone.
- Mobile threat defence (MTD). Watches for threats on the device itself: phishing links in texts and apps, malicious or risky apps, unsafe Wi-Fi and man-in-the-middle attacks, and jailbroken or rooted devices.
MDM controls the device; mobile threat defence protects it. Most threat defence products work alongside your MDM, and the MDM can use the device's risk level to decide what it may reach. Together they give you a fleet you can see and control. Our guide to mobile device management software explains MDM in more depth.
Device management we supply
We supply device management licensed through our software licensing service:
- IBM MaaS360. Unified endpoint management for phones, tablets and laptops on several operating systems from one platform, with email and chat containerisation in Deluxe and mobile threat defence in Enterprise or as an add-on. See IBM MaaS360.
- Sophos Mobile. Mobile device management and mobile threat defence in one product, across company-owned and personal devices, licensed per user. See Sophos Mobile.
- Microsoft Intune. Forever Group can supply and set up Microsoft Intune if your business already runs on Microsoft 365.
Device management works with phones on any network. With enrolment programmes such as Apple Business and Android zero-touch, new phones can arrive ready to use. See zero-touch enrolment.
Mobile threat defence we supply
We supply mobile threat defence from these vendors, licensed through our software licensing service:
- Check Point Mobile Security (formerly Harmony Mobile). Protects iOS and Android devices across apps, files, network and operating system, and works alongside your MDM, such as Microsoft Intune. See Check Point Mobile Security.
- CrowdStrike Falcon for Mobile. Extends CrowdStrike endpoint security to Android and iOS, deploying through your existing UEM or MDM. See CrowdStrike Falcon for Mobile.
- Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security. Real-time security across apps, devices, operating systems, networks and content, alongside your MDM. See Lookout.
- ThreatDown Mobile Security. Protects Chromebooks, iOS, iPadOS and Android devices from harmful websites, malicious apps and unwanted in-app ads, managed in ThreatDown's OneView console. See ThreatDown Mobile Security.
- Bitdefender GravityZone Security for Mobile. Mobile threat defence for iOS, Android and ChromeOS, with on-device anti-phishing on iOS and Android, for company-owned and personal devices. See Bitdefender GravityZone.
- Trend Micro Vision One Mobile Security (now branded TrendAI Vision One Mobile Security). Cloud mobile threat detection for phones, tablets and Chromebooks that can work with your existing MDM. See Trend Micro endpoint security.
- Trend Micro Worry-Free Services. A cloud security suite for smaller businesses whose endpoint protection covers iOS and Android as well as Windows, Mac and Chromebooks, managed centrally. See Trend Micro Worry-Free.
- WatchGuard Endpoint Security. All editions (Basic, Prime, 360 and Elite) can protect Android and iOS tablets and smartphones against threats, malware and theft. See WatchGuard Endpoint Security.
Products at a glance
This table summarises what each product is for. It describes the products, not the networks.
| Product | Type | Devices covered |
|---|---|---|
| IBM MaaS360 | Device management (UEM), MTD in Enterprise or add-on | Phones, tablets and laptops on several operating systems |
| Sophos Mobile | Device management and MTD | iOS, iPadOS, Android; Windows, macOS, ChromeOS |
| Check Point Mobile Security | Mobile threat defence | iOS and Android |
| CrowdStrike Falcon for Mobile | Mobile threat defence | Android and iOS |
| Lookout Mobile Endpoint Security | Mobile threat defence | iOS, Android and ChromeOS |
| ThreatDown Mobile Security | Mobile threat defence | Chromebooks, iOS, iPadOS, Android |
| Bitdefender GravityZone Security for Mobile | Mobile threat defence | iOS, Android and ChromeOS |
| Trend Micro Vision One Mobile Security | Mobile threat defence | Phones, tablets and Chromebooks |
| WatchGuard Endpoint Security | Endpoint suite with mobile protection | Android and iOS |
Licensing differs by product: per user, per device or as an add-on to an endpoint bundle. We set it out at quote, and licensed software can be billed monthly, with terms confirmed at quote.
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will help you choose the right option.
Device and security services with EE Business
If your lines are on EE Business, these services are available with EE Business connections:
- Jamf. EE Business offers Jamf device management tools, Jamf Data Policy, Jamf Data Capping and Jamf Threat Defence; Jamf Now, Jamf Pro, Jamf Connect and Jamf Protect are available with EE Business connections through us. See Jamf with EE Business.
- Ivanti. EE Business offers Ivanti Mobile Threat Defence; Ivanti device management is available with EE Business connections through us. See Ivanti with EE Business.
- Device enrolment. EE Business can enrol the devices you buy into Apple Business Manager, Android zero-touch or Samsung Knox Mobile Enrollment and link them to your MDM. See EE Business.
Device and security services with Three Business
If your lines are on Three Business, Three offers its own services:
- Three Mobile Protect. Mobile security powered by Corrata for up to 25 Android and iOS devices.
- Three Device Management. Cloud-based mobile device management powered by Ivanti for businesses with more than 25 devices.
- Three Analyst. Online bill analytics for billed usage and spend.
See Three Business security and device services for detail.
Three's small print: Three Mobile Protect and Three Device Management: "Minimum term applies. Three Business product terms apply." Three Analyst: "See full terms and conditions on Three Analyst."
Need help choosing?
We will recommend what fits your organisation and explain why, in plain English.
Choosing the right mix
A few questions point to the right combination:
- Count your devices and note who owns them: company phones, personal phones used for work, tablets and laptops
- Check what you already run: Microsoft 365 and Intune, an endpoint security platform, or nothing yet
- Decide whether you need device management, threat defence or both, and for which devices
- Pick products that work with your existing tools, so security and management share one view
- Plan enrolment so new phones arrive configured, and set a policy for lost devices and leavers
If you already use an endpoint platform such as CrowdStrike, Sophos or Trend Micro on laptops, adding its mobile product keeps everything in one console. If you are starting from scratch, an MDM with built-in threat defence, such as Sophos Mobile or IBM MaaS360 Enterprise, is a simple place to begin. A written company mobile phone policy ties it together, and if you are working towards Cyber Essentials, see how it treats BYOD and home working.
How we help
We supply the lines and the software to manage and protect your phones. We supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so device management and mobile security can be set up alongside the airtime and the phones you buy arrive ready to use. Licensing is confirmed at quote and can be billed monthly.
Contact us to talk about device management and mobile security for your team.
Device management and mobile security products
IBM MaaS360Unified endpoint management for phones, tablets and laptops, with optional mobile threat defence.
Sophos MobileMobile device management and mobile threat defence in one product, licensed per user.
Check Point Mobile SecurityMobile threat defence for iOS and Android across apps, files, network and OS (formerly Harmony Mobile).
CrowdStrike Falcon for MobileCrowdStrike endpoint security extended to Android and iOS, deployed through your MDM.
LookoutLookout Mobile Endpoint Security: protection across apps, devices, networks and content, alongside your MDM.How Forever Communications helps with business mobile
We help UK organisations choose, set up and run business mobile: plans, SIMs and eSIMs, phones, mobile broadband, 5G and the device management that keeps a fleet under control.
- Start with what you have: we look at your current contracts, end dates, users and devices before suggesting anything new
- Four networks, one conversation: we supply EE Business and Three Business, and can also supply O2 Business and Vodafone Business, so you can choose the network that works where your people work
- Airtime first, devices your way: we focus on getting your airtime costs down, so you can buy iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and other devices separately and set them up to enrol in your mobile device management
- Moving without losing numbers: we help you plan the switch and keep your existing business mobile numbers
- Beyond the phone: 5G for business, mobile broadband and data SIMs for sites, vehicles and backup connections
- Device management and mobile security: MDM and mobile threat defence from vendors such as IBM, Sophos, Check Point, CrowdStrike and Lookout, plus Jamf, Ivanti, Microsoft Teams Phone Mobile and Mobile Voice Recording with EE Business; see mobile device management and security
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group. Ask us for a quote and we will set out the plans and services that fit your team.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between MDM and mobile threat defence?
Mobile device management (MDM) enrols and controls devices: settings, apps, security policies and remote lock or wipe. Mobile threat defence protects the device from threats such as phishing, malicious apps, unsafe Wi-Fi and jailbreaking. Most businesses use both, and many threat defence products work alongside an MDM.
Which mobile security products do you supply?
We supply Check Point Mobile Security, CrowdStrike Falcon for Mobile, Lookout, ThreatDown Mobile Security, Bitdefender GravityZone Security for Mobile, Trend Micro and WatchGuard Endpoint Security, plus IBM MaaS360 and Sophos Mobile for device management.
Do I need mobile security if I already have MDM?
MDM controls the device, while mobile threat defence looks for threats on it, such as phishing links and risky apps. Some products, such as Sophos Mobile and IBM MaaS360 Enterprise, combine both; others add threat defence to the MDM you already run.
Can mobile security software be billed monthly?
Yes. Licensed software can be billed monthly, with terms confirmed at quote.
Does device management work on any network?
Yes. MDM and mobile threat defence run on the device, so they work on phones on EE Business, Three Business, O2 Business or Vodafone Business. EE Business and Three Business also offer their own device services.
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