Cisco moves into BYOD arena with Identity Services Engine enhancements

Cisco has announced that it's going to aim to head beyond bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies with self-provisioning functions added to its Identity Services Engine (ISE).

Saying that it's going to allow people to work the way in which they wish, when and where they would like, and at the devices they need to "create a greater workplace experience", its new approach unifies policy and simplifies management to deliver an uncompromised user experience.

According to the corporate, it is achieved via enhancements to ISE, which enable for simple self-provisioning of a user's device and policy integrations with mobile device management (MDM) solutions.

With this integration, it could possibly use ISE to define policies that help ensure mobile devices are enrolled in MDM and gain visibility and control over endpoint access in keeping with policies reminiscent of requiring a pin lock, disallowing ‘jailbroken' devices, or remotely wiping the knowledge on lost or stolen devices.

It is updating its wireless LAN infrastructure with the discharge of Cisco Unified Wireless Network Software 7.2 and with the potential to support as much as 3,000 access points and 30,000 clients.

Also scheduled to be launched this year is ISE 1.1MR, if you want to offer users a step-by-step process to self-provision their very own device at a time that's most convenient for them without burdening the IT team. The combination with MDM is scheduled to be available globally by the tip of this year.

To better protect data and enforce compliance on mobile devices, Cisco also announced that it's working with several MDM vendors including AirWatch, Good Technology, MobileIron and Zenprise to integrate their solutions with ISE.

Rebecca Jacoby, senior vice-president and CIO of Cisco, said: “BYOD is not only about connecting user-owned devices and allowing guest access. It's about what you do after that, that's when things get interesting.”

Sujai Hajela, vice-president and general manager of the wireless networking business unit at Cisco, said: “The BYOD trend is here to remain, but companies must move beyond the fundamental act of connecting user-owned devices to a comprehensive BYOD technique to meet employee demands.

“Cisco is approaching BYOD holistically. With a comprehensive strategy designed round the network, unified policy and simplified management, Cisco delivers an uncompromised user experience in any workspace, setting companies up for achievement now and into the long run.”

Gord Boyce, CEO of ForeScout, said: “It is superb to peer other vendors like Cisco recognise the price of network access control and MDM integration because the best means to enable BYOD and mobile security policies”