Centrify unveils mobile device management using Active Directory

A free solution from Centrify that permits personal devices to be managed in Active Directory have been launched.

According to the corporate, Centrify DirectControl for Mobile is a cloud-based service that permits enterprises to centrally secure and manage smartphones and tablets using existing Active Directory infrastructure, skills and processes. Also offered is Centrify Express for Mobile, a free mobile security offering without limit at the variety of devices which might be supported.

Centrify claimed that DirectControl for Mobile allows organisations to quickly and securely bring large populations of mobile devices under management using automated self-enrollment without requiring IT staff to deploy additional infrastructure, implement changes in firewall configurations, learn new skills or operate another management console.

Centrify CEO Tom Kemp said: “The issue is obvious: seven years ago it was about Linux within the data centre, now it's Apple and Android replacing Windows and BlackBerry; what we're doing with mobile devices is so they can join the Active Directory domain. The worth is within the device becoming an option for the user and to be managed by the corporate.

“A manager too can add it to a user group policy to enforce a passcode and security that allows you to manage devices and, in doing so, leverage infrastructure skill set processes. So that you do not want more management, boxes or another pane of glass. You put the login once and issue a PKI certificate and feature a managed device.”

The Centrify Cloud Service allows the on-premise Active Directory environment to simply manage mobile devices over a trusted, over-the-air connection, even if a tool is hooked up to the company network. It also simplifies the reporting of enrolled devices, installed applications and device update status around the organisation, being able to detect and block enrollment of jailbroken devices.