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Device management — everyone needs it, but not everyone uses it correctly.
Thanks to a swarm of digital “urban legends,” many IT professionals operate with outdated beliefs. Some cling to myths out of fear, others out of habit — but either way, they leave gaping holes in organizational security and efficiency.
Let’s bust these myths, one at a time. But we won’t do it alone.
Table of Contents
- A tale of two system admins
- Myth 1: Device management is unnecessary if you have a strong IT team.
- Myth 2: Device management is only for company-owned devices.
- Myth 3: Device management is too technical.
- Myth 4: Device management is not secure.
- Myth 5: Device management invades employee privacy.
- Myth 6: Device management only controls device usage.
- Myth 7: Device management doesn’t provide real-time insights.
- Myth 8: Device management doesn’t manage apps.
- Myth 9: Device management doesn’t integrate with existing security solutions.
- Myth 10: Device management is not suitable for remote work.
- Myth 11: Device management is too expensive.
- Myth 12: Device management is not customizable.
- Myth 13: Device management solutions aren’t scalable.
- Myth 14 (The Final Myth): Device management is a one-time fix.
- Back to the future…
A tale of two system admins
Meet Leo Carter— a bright, tech-savvy system admin who built his first computer at age 7 with help from his dad. With an engineering degree, late-night YouTube tutorials, and sheer determination, he finally landed his dream job as a system admin at a rising mid-sized company.
Like many rookie admins, Leo holds strong opinions about device management, but they’re based on outdated ideas he inherited.
One crisp Monday morning, on his usual route to work, Leo bumps into a sharply dressed man in his 60s. Distinguished. Calm. And oddly familiar.
The man insists they talk.
As their conversation unfolds, the stranger reveals the shocking truth — he’s Leo… from the year 2070. Call him LC.
And he has a warning.
“Blind faith in these myths,” LC says, “cost me my job — and nearly took down an entire company.”
What follows is a myth-busting journey — one that blends future hindsight, real-world wisdom, and the hard-earned lessons that only time can teach.
Myth 1: Device management is unnecessary if you have a strong IT team.
Leo: Our IT team is solid. Do we even need this?
LC: Even the best IT teams can’t manually manage hundreds of endpoints efficiently. Device management automates the tedious parts, reduces errors, and frees up your team to focus on strategic tasks — not password resets and firmware updates.
Reality check:
Strong IT teams deserve strong tools. UEM automates the low-value tasks — and empowers teams to focus on innovation, not firefighting.
Myth 2: Device management is only for company-owned devices.
Leo: Why would I want my company managing my personal phone?
LC: That’s the power of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Device management tools allow secure access to corporate data without breaching personal privacy. You get policies like remote wipe for work content, password enforcement, and containerized apps — without affecting personal use.
Reality check:
The trick is balancing freedom and security. UEM creates a container that keeps business and personal data separate. Employees keep control of their device — companies keep control of their data.
Myth 3: Device management is too technical.
Leo: Sounds like you need to be a tech wizard to use this.
LC: Modern UEMs are built for ease. With intuitive interfaces and guided setups, even small teams with limited expertise can deploy them. Plus, there’s support, training, and community help at every step.
Reality check:
Today’s solutions come with onboarding wizards, community forums, and support teams. You don’t need to be a wizard — just willing to learn.
Myth 4: Device management is not secure.
Leo: With all these capabilities, it must be vulnerable.
LC: Quite the opposite. Device management solutions now provide layered security: encryption, secure tunnels, remote locking, compliance enforcement, and more. If anything, not using one is the real risk.
Reality check:
Security isn’t a side feature — it’s the foundation. Think of UEM as your digital bodyguard for every device in your fleet.
Did you know? A staggering 60% of all data breaches involved human action, whether it was through a malicious click, a socially engineered phone call, or a simple mistake. This proves that technology alone is not enough; a strong device management strategy is essential to protect against the very real risk of human error.
Myth 5: Device management invades employee privacy.
Leo: So the company can spy on my data?
LC: Not quite. Solutions offer granular control — employers only manage work-related activity, not your personal data. Properly implemented, they protect both company assets and employee privacy.
Reality check:
Privacy concerns are real — and valid. But modern UEM platforms are built with privacy in mind. Employers can configure the system to track only what’s necessary (like corporate app usage or device compliance status), and nothing more. Transparency is key.
Myth 6: Device management only controls device usage.
Leo: Device management just restricts usage, right?
LC: That’s just one part. You can remotely wipe devices, push app updates, enforce security policies, monitor usage, and much more. It’s about managing the full device lifecycle — not just restrictions.
Reality check:
Control is just the beginning. UEM lets you handle deployment, configuration, updates, compliance, threat detection, and offboarding — all from one console. The goal isn’t to limit users — it’s to protect them and the organization.
13 things you probably didn’t know you could do with a UEM solution
Myth 7: Device management doesn’t provide real-time insights.
Leo: Can it really track in real time?
LC: Yes! Most UEMs now offer live monitoring — from battery health and app installs to location tracking and network activity. Insight is instant, and action is proactive.
Reality check:
No more waiting for weekly reports. If a device goes rogue or falls out of compliance, the system alerts you now, not later. Real-time dashboards mean you can respond before issues become disasters.
Myth 8: Device management doesn’t manage apps.
Leo: Can it really manage my software too?
LC: Absolutely. You can whitelist apps, push configurations, restrict installs, update in bulk, and enforce usage policies. It ensures your devices run only what’s needed — securely.
Reality check:
Unapproved apps are a major risk. UEM gives you total control over which app runs on your devices — and how it behaves.
If you have a chance for a do-over in device management, here’s what you should do differently
Myth 9: Device management doesn’t integrate with existing security solutions.
Leo: What if I already use antivirus or a firewall?
LC: UEMs integrate beautifully. You can link them to firewalls, Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and more. The result? A unified security posture that’s stronger together.
Reality check:
UEM is not a silo. It’s a bridge — connecting all your security tools under one umbrella, improving visibility, and reducing gaps.
Myth 10: Device management is not suitable for remote work.
Leo: What if I need to manage devices across the globe?
LC: Remote work is where device management shines. Whether your team is in Tokyo or Toronto, you can push updates, apply policies, and monitor compliance without ever stepping foot in the office. It’s remote-native by design.
Reality check:
Hybrid and remote teams are the new normal. Without UEM, keeping global endpoints in sync becomes chaotic. With UEM? Seamless.
Myth 11: Device management is too expensive.
Leo: All this must come at a huge cost.
LC: Costs vary, but many modern UEM providers offer flexible pricing, such as per-device or subscription models. When you weigh this against the financial and reputational cost of a single breach, a platform like Hexnode UEM becomes an investment in stability and security—not an expense.
Reality check:
A single breach can cost millions. Device management? Pennies in comparison. It’s not an expense — it’s an investment in stability.
Myth 12: Device management is not customizable.
Leo: So we’re stuck with rigid policies and fixed templates? That doesn’t sound like it’ll fit every team.
LC: Wrong again. Modern device management solutions offer deep customization options that adapt to your specific needs. You can craft policies tailored to your business structure, generate custom reports, and seamlessly integrate with identity and access management platforms like Okta, Google Workspace, or Azure. Many UEMs also support API-based workflows for automation, allow for custom branding, and enable kiosk modes for single-app access. With tiered user access levels and fine-grained configurations, the system bends to fit you — not the other way around.
Reality check:
From schools and hospitals to logistics and retail, every industry has unique needs. That’s why UEMs offer deep configuration options. You can tailor policies down to departments, roles, locations, or even device types. Whether you’re managing rugged devices on a shop floor or iPads in classrooms, you’re in full control.
Myth 13: Device management solutions aren’t scalable.
Leo: I work at a small company, but we’re growing. Will a device management solution scale with us?
LC: Absolutely. Device management is built to scale — up or down — with ease. Cloud-based architectures let you add or remove devices effortlessly. Plus, flexible licensing models and modular designs allow you to adapt to your company’s changing size and needs.
Reality check:
You can start small and grow big without needing a new platform every time your headcount changes. Today’s UEMs are designed for scalability. For example, platforms like Hexnode UEM let you onboard hundreds of devices across multiple branches with just a few clicks.
Myth 14 (The Final Myth): Device management is a one-time fix.
Leo: So I just install it once and I’m good forever?
LC: Not quite. Device management is ongoing. As your business evolves, so must your policies, configurations, and tools. It’s not a set-and-forget — it’s a continuous strategy that adapts with tech and threats.
Reality check:
Device management isn’t a checkbox. It’s a cycle — monitor, adapt, improve, repeat. The threat landscape changes. So must your strategy.
Back to the future…
As LC finishes his story, a shimmering wormhole opens.
He steps into it, hopeful that young Leo will change the timeline — before it’s too late.
And Leo – now wiser, sharper, and better prepared, returns to his office. He’s no longer just a system admin — he’s an advocate for smarter, future-ready solutions like Hexnode UEM.
Myths busted, and the truth is unlocked.
While misconceptions about device management are common, one truth remains: it’s no longer optional—it’s essential.
Whether you’re managing ten devices or ten thousand, Hexnode UEM delivers control, compliance, and confidence from one clean dashboard. The future of device management starts now.
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