While executives with good intentions often decide to implement mobile tools, IT teams typically bear the responsibility for resolving any resulting issues. As organizations expand their mobile fleets, with the average enterprise managing around 135,000 endpoint devices, the repercussions of inadequate mobile device management practices become increasingly significant and costly.
Mobile devices offer significant potential, yet many businesses find it challenging to fully leverage them and require effective solutions to do so. Read on as we cover the hidden costs of insufficient mobile lifecycle management programs and the steps your organization can take to make next-generation mobility management easy.
Cost #1: The financial consequences of lost devices
Enterprises incur substantial financial burdens due to the loss of mobile devices, with the average annual expenditure on replacing these devices amounting to approximately $5.45 million, according to Imprivata. This figure represents only a fraction of the total costs associated with lost devices, as it excludes additional significant expenditures. Organizations also face an average of $1.4 million in ancillary costs, which include IT security and help desk support. These expenses are necessary to address the immediate impacts of device loss, such as data breaches and operational disruptions.
Moreover, the diversion of IT resources to address issues related to lost or compromised devices further exacerbates the situation. This reallocation of critical IT and security resources away from other business-critical tasks not only impacts the organization’s overall security posture but also exposes it to further vulnerabilities. This shift can lead to gaps in the organization's security measures, notably increasing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches. Consequently, the hidden costs of poor mobile device management extend far beyond the direct financial outlays, affecting the enterprise’s broader operational and security frameworks.
Cost #2: The high price of operational inefficiencies in device management
Managing mobile devices throughout their lifecycle imposes substantial costs on organizations, both in time and financial resources. Each week, IT and security teams lose an average of 872 hours dealing with lifecycle management issues for mobile devices, detracting from more strategic tasks. This ongoing burden translates into significant financial losses—about $1.38 million annually—spent on IT help desk support, IT security support, and lost productivity.
In addition to lifecycle challenges, 203 hours are spent annually solely on replacing lost devices, adding further strain on IT and security resources. Meanwhile, the cumulative effort required each week to manage, maintain, track, and monitor mobile devices reaches 1,062 hours, diverting valuable time from critical business functions.
The high cost of these operational inefficiencies not only impacts productivity but also increases the organization's exposure to security risks, as resources are stretched thin across these demands.
Cost #3: Security breaches
Over half of the organizations surveyed by Imprivata reported experiencing a data breach due to improper access to mobile devices, with the most costly average breach totaling approximately $2.2 million. This figure encompasses a breakdown of costs associated with such breaches:
- 23% ($510,597) corresponds to the value of the data or device compromised.
- 25% ($554,801) arises from non-compliance or regulatory violations.
- 25% ($554,801) is attributed to the loss of reputation and customer goodwill.
- 27% ($590,855) covers the expenses related to detecting, containing, and remediating the breach.
- Automating the enforcement of security policies.
- Remote locking and wiping of lost or compromised devices.
Beyond its financial implications, the threat of security breaches extends to damaging an organization's reputation, eroding customer trust, and undermining stakeholder confidence. Moreover, breaches can lead to negative publicity, deterring potential customers and partners and ultimately affecting revenue and market position. In certain instances, organizations may face legal consequences and increased regulatory scrutiny, resulting in further financial penalties and operational constraints.
Samsung SDS ZTM: Next-generation device lifecycle management
Samsung SDS Zero Touch Mobility (ZTM) has brought the future of mobility management forward — effectively mitigating the financial, operational, and security risks associated with poor enterprise mobile lifecycle management practices.
ZTM reduces the financial impact of lost devices by providing automated workflows for device lock and wipe commands via its integration with ServiceNow. The ServiceNow-ZTM integration allows IT teams to remotely secure or neutralize lost devices immediately. That way, IT teams can seamlessly minimize the risk of data theft and reduce the need for costly replacements — all while saving on people-resource consumption.
Operationally, ZTM makes managing, maintaining, tracking, and monitoring mobile devices easy. It achieves this by centralizing device management within the ServiceNow platform — automating workflows for provisioning, configuration, and updates, while also providing real-time dashboards that display device health metrics, deployment status, and usage analytics. This integration allows IT teams to efficiently handle large-scale deployments, streamline maintenance tasks, and reduce administrative overhead.
On the security front, ZTM enhances organizational security by:
Moreover, it integrates seamlessly with existing security infrastructures to provide real-time alerts and automated responses to potential security incidents. That way, IT teams are better equipped to ensure that sensitive data remains protected and compliance requirements are consistently met without the need to switch between systems.
Want to learn about Samsung SDS ZTM’s full suite of solutions, and how its functionality can be tailored to your specific organizational needs? Reach out to a Samsung SDS team member today, or visit our website.
Contact Our Experts
