Apple Partners: Security, MDM Will Be Key To Apple Watch Enterprise Adoption

While the technology world bubbles with excitement about Apple's state-of-the-art wearable, Apple Watch, Apple partners are questioning the security solutions that will surround it.

During its Monday press event, Apple touted the enterprise apps that will be available for the Apple Watch, including a number of productivity tools such as analytics app Salesforce Wave and apps to access hotel rooms, transfer emails and schedule meetings.

Apple partners said device management and security solutions need to be at the forefront as employees may begin to utilize the apps developed through the Apple Watch's app interface, WatchKit, after its release April 24.

[Related: Watch Out: Apple Watch Set To Disrupt Wearables Market With Hot Features, Massive Sales ]

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"The Apple Watch is a device like any other, and the more information that gets pushed onto it, the higher the security risk," said Jeff Dettloff, president and CEO of Providence Consulting, a Lansing, Mich.-based Apple partner. "I don't think it will happen immediately, but the enterprise will embrace the watch's apps, and the opportunities are there for the channel."

In addition to productivity apps, Apple Watch contains personalized communication tools that could attract both consumer and enterprise clients, boasting connectivity features such as a built-in speaker and microphone for calls, and Digital Touch, which allows users to send quick messages to others wearing Apple's smartwatch.

Apple, Cupertino, Calif., did not reveal information about encrypted security measures during its press event. Solution providers speculate that businesses will need to be proactive about creating security and device management measures as more employees mix business apps with personal information on the watch.

"CIOs should move quickly to consider designing new security and usage policies for smartwatches before the corporate network is flooded with Apple Watches connecting to company resources," said Brett Belding, director of mobile strategy at MobileIron, a Mountain View, Calif.-based enterprise mobility service provider. "Although enterprise use of Apple Watch and other smartwatches is unexplored territory at the moment, it is worth considering potential opportunities for innovation and transforming traditional systems and tasks using wearables."

Belding and others are bullish on adoption of Apple Watch among enterprise clients, as it is an extension of other workplace-related devices that have made headway in businesses. A similar pattern has occurred over the past few years, as businesses have struggled to deal to secure data as more employees utilize devices such as smartphones and tablets for work-related activities.

That problem has opened up opportunities for mobility management providers, such as MobileIron, to create device, application and content management solutions, as well as mobile security solutions, to enforce control and authentication for apps so that end users can use their devices while corporate data remains secure.

"Unlike the iPhone and iPad, which were embraced first by consumers, the Apple Watch is likely to have early adoption in the enterprise because it is tethered to the iPhone and because of its easily accessible time management capabilities," said Belding. "With enterprise adoption inevitable, enterprises are challenged to understand both the risks and the possibilities of an entirely new category of devices."

Apple Watch will be sold in two sizes, 38mm and 42mm, and will have display options for a high-end 18-karat rose or yellow gold model, and a more midtier, sports aluminum model. Prices will range from $350 for the sports model to more than $10,000 for the gold, high-end model.

PUBLISHED MARCH 10, 2015