Device Management Isn’t Enough: Why Trust Matters
The issue is clear: every security breach begins with initial access, and attackers typically gain that access through either compromised credentials or vulnerable devices. This isn’t new information—every threat report points to the same conclusion.
Solving the problem, however, is more nuanced. In this article, we’re focusing on the device aspect of that equation. The risks posed by devices are substantial, which is why tools like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) are staples in most security frameworks.
But relying solely on these tools can create a misleading sense of protection. Rather than depending on the blunt instruments of device management, organizations are turning to device trust—a more sophisticated, risk-based strategy for device security that closes critical gaps left by traditional solutions. Below are five key limitations of device management and how device trust addresses them:
1. No Insight into Unmanaged Devices
MDM and EDR solutions work well for devices that are registered and governed by corporate policies. But they fall short when it comes to unmanaged devices—personal laptops, mobile phones, or contractor equipment—that may still access corporate resources.
These unmanaged endpoints are dangerous precisely because they’re invisible to traditional management tools. Without disk encryption, biometric protections, or current software updates, they become attractive targets for attackers.
How device trust helps: Device trust extends visibility and risk assessment to all devices, managed or not. It does this through lightweight, privacy-preserving authenticators that avoid overreach—no remote wipe or admin control—while collecting device risk telemetry. This allows for real-time compliance checks and enforcement, regardless of device ownership.
2. Gaps in OS Support
While MDM and EDR platforms typically support mainstream operating systems like Windows and macOS, they often lack robust support for Linux and ChromeOS. This leaves security gaps, particularly in environments with diverse tech stacks like those used by developers or IT staff.
How device trust helps: Device trust solutions provide consistent, cross-platform coverage, including Linux and ChromeOS. This ensures device risk is evaluated in real time across all operating systems and that access is denied to any non-compliant endpoint.
3. No Connection to Access Policies
Traditional device management tools operate in silos, separate from access control systems. As a result, even if suspicious behavior is detected, there’s no immediate way to act on that information by restricting access to sensitive systems or data.
How device trust helps: Device trust enables dynamic, risk-aware access policies by integrating device signals into authentication decisions. If a device is out of compliance, it can be instantly denied access until remediation steps are taken. This allows organizations to contain risk without disrupting productivity through forced updates.
4. Vulnerability to Misconfigurations
Misconfigurations in MDM and EDR setups are common and often go unnoticed until a breach occurs. These errors can stem from human mistakes or complex configuration requirements. For example, security tools like CrowdStrike need specific permissions—like full disk access—to function effectively.
How device trust helps: By working in tandem with management tools, device trust can validate not only the presence of security software but also ensure it’s properly configured. This extra layer of verification helps prevent blind spots due to configuration drift.
5. Inadequate Detection of Sophisticated Threats
MDM and EDR tools typically focus on known threats, and MDMs especially tend to provide only basic telemetry. They can’t detect deeper risks, such as:
- Sensitive files or processes on a device
- Presence of unencrypted SSH keys
- Unauthorized third-party extensions on macOS
- Applications with known security vulnerabilities (CVEs)
How device trust helps: Device trust offers detailed posture assessments and, when combined with access policy enforcement, enables organizations to go beyond traditional controls. This allows for a more thorough evaluation and mitigation of device-level threats.
Conclusion
While MDM and EDR tools remain important components of a security strategy, they are not enough on their own. A device trust approach offers broader visibility, platform-agnostic coverage, policy integration, robust configuration checks, and detection of advanced threats—providing a far more complete and adaptive defense posture.
