Mobile Device Management (MDM) for Compliance: A Complete Overview

One of the questions we answer more than almost any other at Agency is: "Which MDM should we use for compliance?" The answer depends on more factors than most organizations expect — your device fleet composition, whether you support BYOD, which compliance frameworks you are pursuing, which GRC platform you use, and frankly, how much you want to spend. In our experience, the MDM decision is one of the most consequential infrastructure choices a compliance team makes, because it becomes the enforcement mechanism for device-level controls that auditors evaluate in every SOC 2 and ISO 27001 audit. Choose poorly and you spend months fighting your tooling. Choose well and device compliance becomes largely automated.

This guide covers everything compliance teams need to know about MDM: what it is, why it matters for compliance, a vendor-by-vendor comparison of the leading platforms, deployment models, GRC platform integration, enrollment approaches, policy configuration for compliance, evidence collection, and cost considerations.

What MDM Is and Why It Matters for Compliance

The Basics

Mobile Device Management — though the term has expanded well beyond mobile devices — is a category of software that allows organizations to manage, monitor, and secure endpoint devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) from a central platform. MDM enables IT and compliance teams to enforce security configurations, deploy applications, monitor device compliance, and take remediation actions on managed devices.

Why Compliance Teams Care About MDM

In our experience, every SOC 2 and ISO 27001 audit includes evaluation of endpoint security controls. Auditors ask: How do you ensure that devices accessing company data meet security baselines? How do you enforce encryption? How do you verify OS currency? How do you handle lost or stolen devices? Without MDM, the answers to these questions rely on manual verification and employee self-reporting, which auditors do not accept as reliable controls.

Compliance Requirement	What MDM Provides
Device encryption enforcement	Verifies and enforces full disk encryption (FileVault, BitLocker)
Screen lock enforcement	Configures and enforces automatic screen lock with timeout
OS version currency	Monitors OS versions and can enforce minimum version requirements
Firewall enforcement	Enables and verifies firewall status on managed devices
Application management	Controls which applications are deployed and can restrict unauthorized software
Remote wipe capability	Enables selective or full wipe of lost, stolen, or decommissioned devices
Compliance evidence	Generates audit-ready reports on device compliance status
Device inventory	Maintains a current inventory of all managed devices

MDM Vendors Compared

Jamf

Best for: Apple-focused organizations with mature IT needs

Jamf is the dominant MDM platform for Apple device management and has the deepest macOS and iOS feature set of any vendor. In our experience, Jamf is the right choice for organizations that are predominantly or entirely Apple and need granular device management capabilities.

Aspect	Details
Platform support	macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS (Apple only)
Deployment model	Cloud (Jamf Cloud) or on-premises (Jamf Pro)
Strengths	Deepest Apple integration; same-day support for new macOS/iOS releases; extensive configuration profile library; strong zero-trust integration (Jamf Connect, Jamf Protect)
Limitations	No Windows, Android, or ChromeOS support; higher cost per device; complexity can exceed what small teams need
GRC integration	Native integrations with Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, Thoropass
Pricing	Approximately $8-12 per device per month (Jamf Pro); Jamf Business and Jamf Protect add-ons increase cost
Best for compliance	Organizations with 50+ Apple devices, dedicated IT staff, and need for advanced compliance controls

Microsoft Intune

Best for: Microsoft-centric or mixed-platform environments

Intune is Microsoft's cloud-based MDM and mobile application management (MAM) platform, included in certain Microsoft 365 enterprise plans. What we tell clients is that Intune is often the most cost-effective choice for organizations already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Aspect	Details
Platform support	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, Linux
Deployment model	Cloud only (part of Microsoft Endpoint Manager)
Strengths	Broadest platform support; included in Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licenses; deep Azure AD conditional access integration; strong Windows management
Limitations	macOS management less mature than Jamf; UI can be complex; requires Microsoft licensing investment
GRC integration	Native integrations with Vanta, Drata, Secureframe
Pricing	Included with Microsoft 365 E3/E5; standalone Intune starts at approximately $8 per user per month
Best for compliance	Mixed-platform environments; organizations with existing Microsoft 365 E3/E5 licensing

Kandji

Best for: Growing Apple-focused companies that want simplicity

Kandji has emerged as a strong alternative to Jamf, particularly for mid-size companies that want Apple device management without Jamf's complexity. In our experience, Kandji is the most popular MDM choice among the startups we work with.

Aspect	Details
Platform support	macOS, iOS, iPadOS (Apple only, with Windows announced)
Deployment model	Cloud only
Strengths	Modern UI; compliance-focused library items (pre-built controls mapped to SOC 2, ISO 27001); simpler learning curve than Jamf; auto apps for common application deployment
Limitations	Apple-only (for now); less mature than Jamf for complex enterprise configurations; smaller partner ecosystem
GRC integration	Native integrations with Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, Thoropass
Pricing	Approximately $5-8 per device per month depending on tier
Best for compliance	Startups and mid-size companies with Apple fleets that want compliance-mapped controls out of the box

Mosyle

Best for: Cost-conscious organizations with Apple devices

Mosyle provides Apple device management at a lower price point than Jamf or Kandji. What we tell clients is that Mosyle is a strong choice when budget is a primary constraint and your fleet is Apple.

Aspect	Details
Platform support	macOS, iOS, iPadOS (Apple only)
Deployment model	Cloud only
Strengths	Competitive pricing; included antivirus and encrypted DNS; Apple School Manager and Apple Business Manager integration; privacy-first BYOD management
Limitations	Smaller market share means fewer community resources; enterprise features less mature than Jamf; GRC integrations less extensive
GRC integration	Integrations with Vanta, Drata (check current availability)
Pricing	Approximately $1-4 per device per month depending on tier (Mosyle Business starts free for up to 30 devices)
Best for compliance	Budget-conscious startups with small Apple fleets; education organizations

Hexnode

Best for: Cross-platform management at a mid-range price

Hexnode provides multi-platform MDM with a focus on ease of use and competitive pricing. In our experience, Hexnode is a solid choice for organizations that need cross-platform support but are not in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Aspect	Details
Platform support	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, tvOS, FireOS
Deployment model	Cloud or on-premises
Strengths	True cross-platform support; competitive pricing; kiosk management; geofencing; simpler than Intune for non-Microsoft shops
Limitations	Less depth than Jamf for Apple management; less depth than Intune for Windows; smaller partner ecosystem
GRC integration	Integrations with Vanta, Drata (check current availability)
Pricing	Approximately $1-6 per device per month depending on tier
Best for compliance	Small to mid-size organizations needing cross-platform coverage without Microsoft licensing

Vendor Selection Summary

Decision Factor	Jamf	Intune	Kandji	Mosyle	Hexnode
Apple depth	Excellent	Good	Very Good	Good	Good
Windows support	None	Excellent	None (planned)	None	Very Good
Cross-platform	No	Yes	No	No	Yes
Compliance features	Strong	Strong	Excellent	Good	Good
GRC integrations	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good
Price per device	$$$	$$ (if M365)	$$	$	$$
Ease of setup	Moderate	Complex	Simple	Simple	Simple
Best for startup	No	If M365 exists	Yes	Budget pick	Cross-platform pick

Deployment Models

Cloud vs On-Premises

What we recommend for virtually every compliance-focused organization is a cloud-hosted MDM deployment. On-premises MDM adds infrastructure management overhead that provides minimal compliance benefit and introduces additional risks (patching the MDM server, backup, availability).

Model	Pros	Cons	When to Use
Cloud	No infrastructure to manage; automatic updates; vendor handles availability	Data hosted on vendor infrastructure; dependency on vendor uptime	Default choice for almost all organizations
On-premises	Data stays within your network; full infrastructure control	You manage patching, backups, availability; higher cost; slower updates	Regulated industries requiring data sovereignty; air-gapped environments

In our experience, the only clients who genuinely need on-premises MDM are those in defense, certain government agencies, or organizations with strict data residency requirements that their cloud MDM vendor cannot satisfy.

Enrollment Approaches

Company-Owned Devices

For company-owned devices, we recommend automated device enrollment through Apple Business Manager (Apple) or Windows Autopilot (Windows). This provides zero-touch provisioning where the device automatically enrolls in MDM the first time it is set up, before the user even logs in.

Enrollment Method	Platform	How It Works
Automated Device Enrollment (ADE)	Apple	Devices purchased through Apple or an authorized reseller are registered in Apple Business Manager and automatically enroll in your MDM at first setup
Windows Autopilot	Windows	Devices are registered in Intune/Autopilot; at first boot, the device connects to Azure AD, enrolls in MDM, and applies configuration profiles
Manual enrollment	Any	User follows enrollment instructions to install MDM profile; acceptable for small fleets but does not scale

BYOD Devices

BYOD enrollment requires a different approach because the organization does not own the device. What we tell clients is that BYOD enrollment must be voluntary, transparent, and limited in scope.

Enrollment Type	What It Manages	Privacy Impact	Best For
User enrollment (Apple)	Work applications and data only; no device-level management	Minimal — organization cannot see personal data, apps, or browsing	iOS and macOS BYOD with strong privacy requirements
Work profile (Android Enterprise)	Creates a separate encrypted container for work apps and data	Minimal — personal profile remains fully private	Android BYOD
Full device enrollment	Entire device is managed	Maximum — inappropriate for BYOD; organization has full device control	Company-owned devices only
MAM without enrollment (Intune)	Manages data within specific applications without device enrollment	Minimal — only managed applications are controlled	Light BYOD where only email and a few apps need management

In our experience, user enrollment (Apple) and work profile (Android) provide the best balance between compliance control and employee privacy for BYOD environments.

Policy Configuration for Compliance

Minimum Compliance Policies

What we recommend configuring in your MDM for compliance purposes:

Policy	Configuration	SOC 2 Criteria	ISO 27001 Control
Full disk encryption	Require and verify FileVault (macOS) or BitLocker (Windows)	CC6.1	A.8.24
Screen lock timeout	Maximum 5-minute idle timeout	CC6.1	A.8.1
Passcode requirements	Minimum 6-digit PIN or biometric	CC6.1	A.8.5
OS minimum version	Current major version minus one	CC6.8	A.8.1
Firewall enabled	Enable built-in firewall (macOS/Windows)	CC6.6	A.8.20
Automatic updates	Enable automatic OS and security updates	CC6.8	A.8.8
Remote wipe capability	Enable selective wipe (BYOD) or full wipe (corporate)	CC6.7	A.8.10
Antivirus/endpoint protection	Required for macOS and Windows	CC6.8	A.8.7

Compliance Actions

What we recommend configuring as automated responses when devices fall out of compliance:

Compliance Violation	Immediate Action	Escalation Action	Final Action
Encryption disabled	Notify user	Restrict access to company applications	Block all company access until remediated
OS version below minimum	Notify user with update instructions	Restrict access after 14-day grace period	Block access until OS is updated
Screen lock not configured	Notify user	Restrict access after 7-day grace period	Block access until configured
Jailbreak/root detected	Block access immediately	Notify IT security	Selective wipe of company data
Device not seen for 90 days	Notify user	Flag for review	Selective wipe and decommission

Evidence Collection for Auditors

What to Collect and How

In our experience, the evidence that auditors request for endpoint security controls falls into predictable categories. Here is what you should be collecting from your MDM on an ongoing basis.

Evidence	How to Collect	Frequency	Auditor Purpose
Device inventory export	MDM console export (CSV/API)	Monthly snapshot; continuous through GRC	Validates that all devices are managed and inventoried
Compliance status report	MDM compliance dashboard export	Monthly snapshot; continuous through GRC	Validates that devices meet security baselines
Non-compliance action log	MDM audit log for remediation actions	Continuous	Validates that enforcement actions are taken for violations
Configuration profiles	Export of MDM profiles and policies	After changes; reviewed quarterly	Validates that security baselines are appropriately defined
Enrollment/unenrollment log	MDM audit log for device lifecycle events	Continuous	Validates device registration and offboarding process
Wipe action log	MDM audit log for wipe commands	Continuous	Validates device decommissioning and data removal

GRC Platform Integration for Evidence

What we recommend is connecting your MDM to your GRC platform so that evidence collection is automated rather than manual. This provides continuous compliance monitoring and eliminates the scramble of generating evidence before an audit.

GRC Platform	MDM Integrations	What It Pulls
Vanta	Jamf, Kandji, Intune, Mosyle, Hexnode, and others	Device inventory, compliance status, encryption state, OS versions, enrollment status
Drata	Jamf, Kandji, Intune, Mosyle, Hexnode, and others	Device compliance, encryption verification, personnel-device mapping
Secureframe	Jamf, Kandji, Intune, and others	Device compliance, security configuration verification
Thoropass	Jamf, Kandji, Intune	Device compliance and inventory data

In our experience, the GRC platform integration typically takes one to two hours to configure and immediately provides visibility into device compliance gaps. We recommend completing this integration during your first week of MDM deployment, not waiting until audit preparation.

Cost Considerations

Total Cost of MDM for Compliance

What we tell clients is that MDM cost is not just the per-device license — it includes deployment time, ongoing management, and the indirect cost of employee support. Here is a realistic cost breakdown for a 50-person company.

Cost Category	Estimate (50 Devices)	Notes
MDM license	$3,000-7,200/year	Varies by vendor: Mosyle is lowest, Jamf is highest
Initial setup and configuration	20-40 hours IT time	Creating profiles, testing, documentation
Enrollment rollout	10-20 hours IT time	Supporting employees through enrollment, troubleshooting
Ongoing management	2-5 hours/month IT time	Handling compliance violations, new enrollments, offboarding
GRC platform integration	1-2 hours one-time	Connecting MDM to Vanta, Drata, or similar
Employee support	1-3 hours/month IT time	Answering questions, resolving device issues

Cost Optimization Strategies

In our experience, these are the most effective ways to manage MDM cost:

• Use Intune if you already have Microsoft 365 E3/E5. Intune is included in these licenses, making the incremental MDM cost effectively zero.
• Start with Mosyle or Hexnode if budget is tight. Both offer competitive pricing with compliance-adequate feature sets.
• Right-size your MDM tier. Most MDM vendors offer multiple tiers; the mid-tier typically includes all compliance-relevant features without enterprise extras you do not need.
• Automate enrollment. Automated device enrollment reduces IT time significantly compared to manual enrollment support.
• Invest in GRC integration early. Automated evidence collection eliminates hours of manual evidence preparation before each audit cycle.

MDM vs No MDM: The Compliance Cost Comparison

What we tell clients who are considering whether MDM is worth the investment:

Approach	Annual Cost (50 Devices)	Audit Risk	Evidence Quality
MDM with GRC integration	$3,000-7,200 + IT time	Low — automated enforcement and evidence	Automated, continuous, auditor-ready
Manual device management	$0 license cost + significant IT time	High — no enforcement mechanism; manual evidence	Manual, point-in-time, prone to gaps
No device management	$0	Very high — likely audit exceptions	No evidence available

In our experience, the cost of MDM is a fraction of the cost of audit exceptions, failed audits, or delayed enterprise deals due to compliance gaps. Every client we work with that has tried to pass a SOC 2 or ISO 27001 audit without MDM has either received findings or invested significantly more IT time in manual evidence collection than the MDM license would have cost.

Key Takeaways

• What we tell clients is that MDM is the enforcement mechanism that turns device security policies into auditable controls — without it, you are relying on employee self-compliance, which auditors do not accept as a reliable control for SOC 2 or ISO 27001
• In our experience, Kandji is the best fit for Apple-focused startups prioritizing compliance, Intune is the right choice for organizations with existing Microsoft 365 licensing, Jamf offers the deepest Apple management for larger enterprises, and Mosyle is the best budget option for small teams
• What we recommend is cloud-hosted MDM with automated device enrollment for company-owned devices and user/work-profile enrollment for BYOD — this combination provides the strongest compliance posture with the least friction
• In our experience, connecting your MDM to your GRC platform (Vanta, Drata, Secureframe) should happen in week one of deployment, not during audit preparation — automated evidence collection eliminates manual evidence generation and provides continuous compliance monitoring
• What we see across our client base is that the minimum compliance policy set includes full disk encryption, screen lock timeout, passcode requirements, OS version enforcement, firewall enablement, and remote wipe capability — these six policies satisfy the core endpoint controls for both SOC 2 and ISO 27001
• We help our clients select, deploy, and configure MDM platforms specifically for compliance outcomes, ensuring that every device accessing company data is managed, monitored, and generating the evidence that auditors need