Android Enterprise
Appurity delivers work/personal Android Enterprise solution for Brodies LLP.
Brodies LLP wanted to create a clear, highly secure distinction between how employees use their devices for work and personal purposes, and to optimise existing processes for managing and updating devices. They turned to Appurity, a trusted technology partner, to deliver and manage this project.
Background
Brodies LLP is Scotland’s largest law firm, with 40 separate practice areas that are top ranked by independent international legal directories. Brodies has won numerous industry awards and plaudits for its client services, innovation, use of technology, commercial awareness, and business acumen. Brodies’ clients include companies and individuals from across the globe, in both the private and public sector.
Appurity: Appurity are a team of cross-platform mobility consultants specialising in cyber security solutions for mobile devices and apps. Appurity’s experts are trusted by several leading technology partners including Apple, Google, Samsung, Lookout, Absolute (inc Netmotion), BlackBerry, Ivanti (MobileIron) and iManage. Appurity’s consultancy services provide clients with in-depth knowledge on leading technologies that can help them to develop secure and efficient mobile strategies.
Brodies LLP has a longstanding relationship with Appurity. They have partnered on several mobile infrastructure projects, including multiple device refreshes. Brodies are keen advocates of the Android Enterprise platform, and understand the importance of mobile solutions that keep privacy and security front and centre. The firm already adheres to regulations such as Cyber Essentials Plus and ISO 27001. The next step in the firm’s mobile security plans is to address the use of personal and business devices across their workforce.
“Security is an important part of the landscape for law firms, and we take our duties and responsibilities in terms of data security seriously. Working with Appurity we have been able to put in place the processes and technologies we need to be able to manage risk on our mobile endpoints and protect our information assets. Their industry expertise, combined with a can-do attitude, has resulted in a highly productive working relationship between our organisations”
Damien Behan | IT Director, Brodies LLP
Challenge: Establish a clear distinction between how employees use their devices for work and personal purposes, and provide Brodies with full control and management of device OS. Find a solution to “lock” devices in such a way that work data cannot be accessed through personal accounts.
Brodies needed a secure, fully managed solution that enabled easy device updates. The firm also wanted to give employees the flexibility of a work profile, so that the same device could be used securely and privately for professional and personal purposes. The firm needed assurance that no work data could be transferred to personal apps and the option to lock devices when required.
As part of the Cyber Essentials scheme, it was essential that Brodies could fully manage the operating systems installed on the devices in its fleet. Prior to implementing Appurity’s solution, Brodies were facing lengthy provisioning times with device updates required at inopportune moments and often taking over an hour to complete. Additionally, updates were being installed through mobile carriers without the firm’s knowledge.
With a fleet of close to 700 devices, the firm needed a solution that could alleviate their IT team from constantly carrying out updates.
“Working with Brodies LLP for a number of years, we know that they take security and compliance very seriously. Their users are at the heart of everything they do, so delivering a device refresh with minimum user disruption was essential.”
Steve Whiter | Director at Appurity
The solution
Appurity, a verified Android Enterprise Service Provider and Device Reseller, carried out a comprehensive security assessment before implementing a solution using their Gold Build standard. This included: Full device build documentation, enhanced security with Android zero-touch enrolment, complete control over OS upgrades and security patches with Samsung E-FOTA (Knox Enterprise Firmware-Over-The-Air), Lookout Mobile Endpoint Protection for malware, and protection against MITM and SMS phishing threats.
As part of a security assessment, Appurity reviewed all the firm’s apps and its current security posture. All device builds provided by Appurity adhere to Cyber Essentials Plus, ISO and other necessary regulations.
The firm’s devices now provide the following workflow:
- Calendar
- Document viewing
- Time recording
- Dictation
- Nine Work email client integrated with Rubus for Android, an app developed by Appurity Connect. Rubus allows lawyers to send and file, open iManage document links, file from inbox directly to iManage, and the ability to check in and out of documents for review and mark-up.
As part of this solution, Appurity also worked with Brodies to plan the firm’s migration to BlackBerry UEM Cloud from the on premise system.
As a BlackBerry Platinum Enterprise Partner and Managed Mobility Partner, Appurity has a thorough knowledge of the BlackBerry environment. Appurity assisted Brodies with deploying BlackBerry UEM to devices running Android Enterprise and both firm and personally owned tablet devices requiring a secure connection to professional systems. This solution enables the firm to access the Google Play store securely via BlackBerry UEM, deploying apps to user devices with no additional security risk.
The BlackBerry UEM Cloud platform provides Brodies full management and control over its fleet of devices and associated applications.
“Appurity take great care to understand the requirements unique to each business. Our Gold Build standard adhere to frameworks such as Cyber Essentials, ISO, and MiFID.”
Steve Whiter | Director at Appurity
Outcomes
Appurity, a Samsung Managed Service Provider, now manages almost 700 Samsung A52 Enterprise Edition devices for Brodies, which include the use of Samsung E-FOTA for managing the OS version, in accordance with Cyber Essentials Plus and with enhanced support.
Brodies reported a seamless transition to the new Samsung devices complete with the latest and improved version of Android Enterprise OS. The process of getting devices into lawyers’ hands has been streamlined, which the firm notes has reduced the volume of office administration work previously associated with rollouts. To date there have been zero complaints and no critical issues reported with the improved work processes. Previous issues with compatibility and conflicting employee requirements have been solved with the help of the advanced Android ecosystem.
With the benefits of Lookout Mobile Endpoint Protection, Brodies LLP has excellent protection against mobile security threats, with custom policies set for apps, devices, and networks. The firm is also positioned to mitigate against new and unknown risks from bad actors.
“With Appurity’s knowledge of the Cyber Essentials framework, and as a verified Android Enterprise Service Provider, Device Reseller and Samsung Managed Service Provider, we were well placed to provide highly secure devices and deliver a solution that enhances productivity and user experience.”
Steve Whiter | Director at Appurity
About Appurity
Appurity specialises in delivering best in-class mobile and application security solutions to law firms.
Mobile and application security is vital in the legal world where data leakage, unsecured devices and apps pose a major risk. Legal professionals are prime targets for malicious actors looking to access sensitive information. Firms must safeguard information both on the endpoint and cloud while providing access to data.
As a verified Android Enterprise Service Provider and member of the Apple Consultants Network, Appurity provides bespoke end-to-end security, endpoint to Cloud – delivering solutions within the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework including Mobile Threat Defence (MTD), Cloud security (CASB) and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).
Appurity enables greater productivity with enhanced security.