What is Android WPCO and why do we need it?

To keep up with the pace of the evolving device management landscape, Hexnode UEM is expanding its support for the increasingly popular Android WPCO (Work Profile on Company-Owned devices) enrollment mode. Android WPCO is a specialized Android Enterprise enrollment mode that allows businesses to deploy and manage company-owned devices, in a way that respects user privacy, while maintaining robust security controls. As employees often use company-owned devices for both professional and personal activities, WPCO provides a smart solution for ensuring corporate security without compromising user privacy. This approach provides a dedicated work profile within the device that keeps personal and work data securely separated.

WPCO – Breaking down the essentials

With Android WPCO, the device has two distinct areas: a work profile for corporate apps and data and a personal profile for the employee’s own apps and information. This separation ensures that work data stays protected within the work profile, while personal data remains private and accessible only to the user. The IT team can enforce security policies and manage work apps without accessing or controlling personal apps and data, giving employees peace of mind when using their company device for personal tasks.

Key features of WPCO

• Data isolation: WPCO keeps corporate data and personal data in separate profiles. Work data is confined to the work profile, allowing for enhanced protection and clear boundaries between work and personal spaces.
• App management: IT administrators can remotely deploy and manage business apps in the work profile without affecting personal apps. Employees still have full control over the apps in their personal profile, allowing them to install or delete personal apps freely.

• Security controls: WPCO offers built-in security features that give organizations control over the work profile, including setting password requirements, enabling remote data wipes, and enforcing other security policies.

Why do we need WPCO?

As businesses increasingly adopt flexible work models, the demand for device management solutions that support both BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and corporate-owned devices is on the rise. While BYOD setups offer convenience and cost savings, they also introduce challenges in maintaining security on employee devices. Similarly, corporate-owned devices used for both work and personal tasks require a careful balance between corporate security and employee privacy.

WPCO is the solution that bridges the gap between BYOD and traditional device management by allowing businesses to secure corporate data on company-owned devices while maintaining a clear separation between work and personal information. Unlike BYOD, which relies on employee-owned devices, WPCO ensures that both corporate security and employee privacy are effectively managed on company-provided devices used for both professional and personal purposes.

Benefits for enterprises

Android WPCO offers significant advantages for enterprises, making it a smart choice for managing company-owned devices used for both work and personal activities. This approach doesn’t just improve data security, it also simplifies device management, improves user experience, and supports a balanced, privacy-respecting device strategy. Some of the key benefits offered by Android WPCO for enterprises are:

Better security for corporate data

Data leaks and security breaches remain a top concern for businesses. Hexnode integrates seamlessly with Android WPCO, enabling IT admins to enforce security policies and manage work apps independently of personal apps. This minimizes the risk of corporate data being exposed. This isolation ensures that sensitive information remains in the company’s control, even if an employee inadvertently downloads a risky app on their personal profile.

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Simplified management with UEM tools

When paired with UEM tools like Hexnode, WPCO makes managing devices easier by allowing IT teams to control only the work profile, streamlining policy enforcement and app management.

Enhanced user experience

WPCO keeps personal and work data separate, letting employees enjoy personal use of their device without compromising privacy, fostering a better work-life balance.

Improved privacy and security

Hexnode UEM makes WPCO implementation simple, prioritizing data security while respecting user privacy, helping companies achieve a balanced, efficient approach to device management.

Final note

Android WPCO stands out as an essential tool for modern enterprises in today’s work environment, where flexibility and security are equally critical. By creating a secure, separate work profile on company-owned devices, WPCO addresses the need to protect corporate data, simplify device management, and respect employee privacy.

With Hexnode UEM, organizations can maximize the potential of Android WPCO through easy enrollment, advanced security controls, and efficient app management. Hexnode’s support for WPCO empowers IT teams to manage devices remotely, onboard employees seamlessly, and ensure compliance across industries like healthcare, finance, and remote work. For enterprises aiming to balance device management and data security with an enhanced user experience, Hexnode’s WPCO is an invaluable addition to their arsenal.