Mdm Device Management

Mobile Device Management (MDM) for Startups & Small Teams

A practical guide to enrolling, securing, and managing company devices across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android — from zero-touch onboarding to remote wipe.

1. When to Use MDM

MDM becomes essential when any of the following apply:

• Team size crosses ~10 people — manual laptop setup no longer scales.
• Compliance requirements — SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, or customer security questionnaires demand proof that endpoints are encrypted and patched.
• Remote / hybrid workforce — you cannot walk over to someone's desk to fix a configuration or verify disk encryption.
• Contractor or BYOD devices — you need a way to separate corporate data from personal data and revoke access on offboarding.
• Insurance or investor due diligence — cyber-insurance carriers and VCs increasingly ask for evidence of endpoint management.

If you are still under 10 people and everyone is in-office, a simple checklist plus a configuration management tool (Ansible) may suffice — but plan for MDM early so enrollment is painless when you scale.

2. MDM Platform Comparison

Decision heuristic

if (team < 50 AND engineering-led AND multi-OS):
    consider Fleet (open-source, osquery-native)
elif (team is macOS-dominant AND compliance-heavy):
    consider Kandji or Jamf
elif (team is Windows-dominant AND already on M365):
    consider Intune (likely already licensed)
else:
    evaluate Fleet or Kandji based on OS mix

3. Fleet (Open Source MDM) — Self-Hosted Deployment

Fleet is the leading open-source MDM. It uses osquery under the hood and supports macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android.

3.1 Docker Compose deployment

# docker-compose.yml
version: "3.8"

services:
  mysql:
    image: mysql:8.0
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: "${FLEET_MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD}"
      MYSQL_DATABASE: fleet
      MYSQL_USER: fleet
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: "${FLEET_MYSQL_PASSWORD}"
    volumes:
      - mysql-data:/var/lib/mysql
    ports:
      - "3306:3306"
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD", "mysqladmin", "ping", "-h", "localhost"]
      interval: 10s
      retries: 5

  redis:
    image: redis:7-alpine
    ports:
      - "6379:6379"

  fleet:
    image: fleetdm/fleet:v4.47.0
    depends_on:
      mysql:
        condition: service_healthy
      redis:
        condition: service_started
    environment:
      FLEET_MYSQL_ADDRESS: mysql:3306
      FLEET_MYSQL_DATABASE: fleet
      FLEET_MYSQL_USERNAME: fleet
      FLEET_MYSQL_PASSWORD: "${FLEET_MYSQL_PASSWORD}"
      FLEET_REDIS_ADDRESS: redis:6379
      FLEET_SERVER_TLS: "true"
      FLEET_SERVER_TLS_COMPATIBILITY: modern
      FLEET_SERVER_CERT: /tls/fleet.crt
      FLEET_SERVER_KEY: /tls/fleet.key
      FLEET_LOGGING_JSON: "true"
    volumes:
      - ./tls:/tls:ro
    ports:
      - "8080:8080"

volumes:
  mysql-data:

3.2 Initial setup

# Generate TLS certs (use real certs in production)
mkdir -p tls
openssl req -x509 -newkey rsa:4096 -sha256 -days 365 \
  -nodes -keyout tls/fleet.key -out tls/fleet.crt \
  -subj "/CN=fleet.yourcompany.com"

# Start services
docker compose up -d

# Create admin account
docker compose exec fleet fleet prepare db
docker compose exec fleet fleet setup \
  --email admin@yourcompany.com \
  --name "IT Admin" \
  --password "${FLEET_ADMIN_PASSWORD}" \
  --org-name "YourCompany"

3.3 Enroll a macOS host with fleetctl

# Install fleetctl
brew install fleetdm/tap/fleetctl

# Authenticate
fleetctl config set --address https://fleet.yourcompany.com:8080
fleetctl login --email admin@yourcompany.com

# Generate an installer package for macOS
fleetctl package --type pkg \
  --fleet-url https://fleet.yourcompany.com:8080 \
  --enroll-secret "$(fleetctl get enroll-secret)" \
  --fleet-certificate tls/fleet.crt

# The .pkg file can be distributed via Apple Business Manager or manually

3.4 Enroll a Windows host

# Download the Fleet osquery MSI installer
fleetctl package --type msi `
  --fleet-url https://fleet.yourcompany.com:8080 `
  --enroll-secret "$(fleetctl get enroll-secret)" `
  --fleet-certificate tls/fleet.crt

# Install silently
msiexec /i fleet-osquery.msi /quiet /norestart

3.5 osquery policy examples in Fleet

# fleet-policies.yml — apply with: fleetctl apply -f fleet-policies.yml
apiVersion: v1
kind: policy
spec:
  name: FileVault enabled (macOS)
  query: >
    SELECT 1 FROM disk_encryption
    WHERE user_uuid IS NOT '' AND encrypted = 1;
  description: Ensures FileVault disk encryption is enabled.
  resolution: "Enable FileVault: System Settings > Privacy & Security > FileVault."
  platform: darwin

---
apiVersion: v1
kind: policy
spec:
  name: BitLocker enabled (Windows)
  query: >
    SELECT 1 FROM bitlocker_info
    WHERE protection_status = 1;
  description: Ensures BitLocker drive encryption is active.
  resolution: "Enable BitLocker via Settings > Privacy & Security > Device Encryption."
  platform: windows

---
apiVersion: v1
kind: policy
spec:
  name: Firewall enabled (macOS)
  query: >
    SELECT 1 FROM alf WHERE global_state >= 1;
  description: macOS Application Layer Firewall must be on.
  resolution: "Enable firewall: System Settings > Network > Firewall."
  platform: darwin

---
apiVersion: v1
kind: policy
spec:
  name: OS up to date (macOS)
  query: >
    SELECT 1 FROM os_version
    WHERE platform = 'darwin' AND major >= 14;
  description: Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.
  resolution: "Update macOS via System Settings > General > Software Update."
  platform: darwin

4. macOS Enrollment

4.1 Apple Business Manager (ABM) / Automated Device Enrollment

# In ABM (business.apple.com):
# 1. Settings > MDM Servers > Add MDM Server
# 2. Upload the public key from your MDM (Fleet, Jamf, Kandji)
# 3. Download the ABM token and upload it to your MDM
# 4. Assign devices to the MDM server by serial number

# Verify DEP assignment with fleetctl (Fleet)
fleetctl get mdm-apple

4.2 Manual MDM profile enrollment (non-DEP devices)

# Generate enrollment profile URL (Fleet example)
fleetctl get enrollment-profile > enrollment.mobileconfig

# Distribute to user — they open the .mobileconfig file
# Then approve in System Settings > Profiles

4.3 Enforce FileVault via MDM configuration profile

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
  "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>PayloadContent</key>
    <array>
        <dict>
            <key>PayloadType</key>
            <string>com.apple.MCX.FileVault2</string>
            <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
            <string>com.yourcompany.filevault</string>
            <key>PayloadUUID</key>
            <string>A1B2C3D4-E5F6-7890-ABCD-EF1234567890</string>
            <key>PayloadVersion</key>
            <integer>1</integer>
            <key>Enable</key>
            <string>On</string>
            <key>Defer</key>
            <true/>
            <key>DeferForceAtUserLoginMaxBypassAttempts</key>
            <integer>0</integer>
            <key>ShowRecoveryKey</key>
            <false/>
            <key>UseRecoveryKey</key>
            <true/>
        </dict>
    </array>
    <key>PayloadDisplayName</key>
    <string>FileVault Enforcement</string>
    <key>PayloadIdentifier</key>
    <string>com.yourcompany.filevault.profile</string>
    <key>PayloadType</key>
    <string>Configuration</string>
    <key>PayloadUUID</key>
    <string>F1E2D3C4-B5A6-7890-FEDC-BA0987654321</string>
    <key>PayloadVersion</key>
    <integer>1</integer>
</dict>
</plist>

4.4 macOS firewall enforcement

# Enable firewall via MDM command or script
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate on
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setstealthmode on
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setallowsigned enable

5. Windows Enrollment

5.1 Azure AD Join + Intune auto-enrollment

# Check current join status
dsregcmd /status

# Join Azure AD (user will be prompted for credentials)
Start-Process "ms-settings:workplace"

# Verify Intune enrollment
Get-WmiObject -Namespace "root\cimv2\mdm\dmmap" `
  -Class "MDM_DevDetail_Ext01" | Select DeviceID

5.2 Windows Autopilot hardware hash collection

# Collect hardware hash for Autopilot registration
Install-Script -Name Get-WindowsAutoPilotInfo -Force
Get-WindowsAutoPilotInfo -OutputFile C:\temp\autopilot.csv

# Upload autopilot.csv to Intune > Devices > Windows Enrollment > Devices

5.3 BitLocker enforcement via Group Policy or Intune

# Enable BitLocker on the OS drive with TPM
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" `
  -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 `
  -TpmProtector

# Add a recovery password and back it up to Azure AD
Add-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector
BackupToAAD-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" `
  -KeyProtectorId (Get-BitLockerVolume -MountPoint "C:").KeyProtector[1].KeyProtectorId

# Verify encryption status
Get-BitLockerVolume | Select-Object MountPoint, VolumeStatus, EncryptionPercentage

5.4 Windows Firewall baseline

# Ensure all profiles are enabled
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True

# Block all inbound by default, allow outbound
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private `
  -DefaultInboundAction Block `
  -DefaultOutboundAction Allow

# Allow specific inbound rules (example: RDP only from VPN subnet)
New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow RDP from VPN" `
  -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 3389 `
  -RemoteAddress 10.0.0.0/8 -Action Allow

6. Security Policies — Cross-Platform

6.1 Password / passcode requirements

<!-- macOS configuration profile — password policy -->
<dict>
    <key>PayloadType</key>
    <string>com.apple.mobiledevice.passwordpolicy</string>
    <key>minLength</key>
    <integer>12</integer>
    <key>requireAlphanumeric</key>
    <true/>
    <key>maxInactivity</key>
    <integer>5</integer>
    <key>maxPINAgeInDays</key>
    <integer>90</integer>
</dict>

// Intune Windows password policy (JSON for Graph API)
{
  "@odata.type": "#microsoft.graph.windows10GeneralConfiguration",
  "passwordRequired": true,
  "passwordMinimumLength": 12,
  "passwordRequiredType": "alphanumeric",
  "passwordMinutesOfInactivityBeforeScreenTimeout": 5,
  "passwordExpirationDays": 90,
  "passwordBlockSimple": true
}

6.2 Screen lock enforcement

# macOS — require password after sleep/screensaver (via script or profile)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.screensaver idleTime -int 300

# Windows — lock screen after 5 minutes of inactivity
powercfg /change monitor-timeout-ac 5
# Registry-based enforcement
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
  -Name "InactivityTimeoutSecs" -Value 300

6.3 Encryption enforcement summary

7. Software Deployment

7.1 macOS — Homebrew Bundle

# Brewfile — deploy via MDM script or Git checkout
tap "homebrew/bundle"

# Core tools
brew "git"
brew "gh"
brew "jq"
brew "wget"
brew "gnupg"

# Security
brew "1password-cli"
cask "1password"
cask "tailscale"
cask "cloudflare-warp"

# Development
cask "visual-studio-code"
cask "iterm2"
cask "docker"
brew "node"
brew "python@3.12"

# Communication
cask "slack"
cask "zoom"

# Deploy Brewfile on a new Mac
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
brew bundle --file=/path/to/Brewfile --no-lock

7.2 Windows — winget / Chocolatey

# winget import from a JSON manifest
# packages.json
@"
{
  "Sources": [{
    "Packages": [
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Git.Git" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Microsoft.VisualStudioCode" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Docker.DockerDesktop" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "SlackTechnologies.Slack" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Zoom.Zoom" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Tailscale.Tailscale" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "AgileBits.1Password" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS" },
      { "PackageIdentifier": "Python.Python.3.12" }
    ],
    "SourceDetails": {
      "Name": "winget",
      "Type": "Microsoft.Winget.Source.Type.Microsoft"
    }
  }]
}
"@ | Out-File -FilePath packages.json -Encoding utf8

winget import -i packages.json --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements

7.3 Automatic update enforcement

# macOS — enable automatic updates via MDM or command
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticallyInstallMacOSUpdates -bool true
sudo softwareupdate --schedule on

# Windows — configure Windows Update via registry
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" `
  -Name "NoAutoUpdate" -Value 0
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" `
  -Name "AUOptions" -Value 4  # 4 = Auto download and schedule install

8. Compliance Checks with osquery

These queries work with Fleet, osquery standalone, or any osquery-compatible platform.

-- Check disk encryption on macOS
SELECT de.encrypted, de.type, du.username
FROM disk_encryption de
JOIN disk_util du ON de.name = du.name
WHERE du.mountpoint = '/' AND de.encrypted = 1;

-- Check disk encryption on Windows
SELECT drive_letter, protection_status, conversion_status
FROM bitlocker_info
WHERE drive_letter = 'C:' AND protection_status = 1;

-- Verify firewall is enabled (macOS)
SELECT global_state, stealth_enabled, logging_enabled
FROM alf;

-- Verify firewall is enabled (Windows)
SELECT name, enabled FROM windows_firewall_profiles
WHERE enabled = 1;

-- Check OS version (macOS)
SELECT name, version, major, minor, patch
FROM os_version
WHERE major >= 14;

-- Check OS version (Windows)
SELECT name, version, build
FROM os_version
WHERE build >= '22631';

-- List users with admin privileges (macOS)
SELECT u.username, u.uid
FROM users u
JOIN user_groups ug ON u.uid = ug.uid
JOIN groups g ON ug.gid = g.gid
WHERE g.groupname = 'admin';

-- Detect unencrypted removable drives (Windows)
SELECT device_id, drive_letter, protection_status
FROM bitlocker_info
WHERE protection_status = 0;

-- Check screen lock timeout (macOS)
SELECT domain, key, value FROM preferences
WHERE domain = 'com.apple.screensaver'
  AND key = 'idleTime';

-- Verify automatic updates are enabled (macOS)
SELECT domain, key, value FROM preferences
WHERE domain = 'com.apple.SoftwareUpdate'
  AND key = 'AutomaticCheckEnabled';

9. Remote Wipe & Lock

9.1 macOS remote wipe (Fleet)

# Lock a device immediately with a 6-digit PIN
fleetctl mdm lock --host "serial=C02X12345678"

# Wipe a device (factory reset) — DESTRUCTIVE
fleetctl mdm erase --host "serial=C02X12345678"

# Or via the Fleet API
curl -X POST https://fleet.yourcompany.com/api/v1/fleet/hosts/42/wipe \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer ${FLEET_API_TOKEN}"

9.2 Windows remote wipe (Intune)

# Via Microsoft Graph API
$body = @{
    keepEnrollmentData = $false
    keepUserData       = $false
} | ConvertTo-Json

Invoke-MgGraphRequest -Method POST `
  -Uri "https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0/deviceManagement/managedDevices/{deviceId}/wipe" `
  -Body $body -ContentType "application/json"

9.3 Lost device runbook

1. Employee reports device lost/stolen via Slack #it-help or PagerDuty.
2. IT admin verifies identity (video call or manager confirmation).
3. Immediately issue remote lock command (wipe only if data-sensitive).
4. Rotate any credentials cached on the device:
   - Revoke SSO sessions (Okta/Google Workspace admin console)
   - Rotate API keys stored on the device
   - Revoke VPN certificates
5. File a police report if theft is suspected.
6. Remove device from MDM after 30 days or once replacement is shipped.
7. Update asset inventory and notify finance for insurance claim.

10. Onboarding Automation — Zero-Touch Enrollment

10.1 macOS zero-touch flow

#!/usr/bin/env bash
# onboard-mac.sh — runs as a post-enrollment script via MDM
set -euo pipefail

LOG="/var/log/onboarding.log"
exec > >(tee -a "$LOG") 2>&1

echo "=== Starting onboarding $(date) ==="

# 1. Install Rosetta 2 on Apple Silicon
if [[ "$(uname -m)" == "arm64" ]]; then
    softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license
fi

# 2. Install Homebrew
if ! command -v brew &>/dev/null; then
    NONINTERACTIVE=1 /bin/bash -c \
      "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
fi

# 3. Install standard tooling from Brewfile
curl -fsSL https://internal.yourcompany.com/brewfile -o /tmp/Brewfile
brew bundle --file=/tmp/Brewfile --no-lock

# 4. Configure Git defaults
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git config --global pull.rebase true

# 5. Enable FileVault (will prompt at next login)
sudo fdesetup enable -defer /var/db/FileVaultDeferred.plist \
  -forceatlogin 0 -dontaskatlogout

# 6. Enable firewall
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate on

# 7. Set screen lock
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0
defaults write com.apple.screensaver idleTime -int 300

# 8. Enroll in Tailscale VPN
open -a "Tailscale"

echo "=== Onboarding complete $(date) ==="

10.2 Windows zero-touch flow (Autopilot + Intune)

# deploy.ps1 — assigned as an Intune PowerShell script
$ErrorActionPreference = "Stop"
$logFile = "C:\ProgramData\onboarding.log"
Start-Transcript -Path $logFile -Append

Write-Host "=== Starting onboarding $(Get-Date) ==="

# 1. Install winget packages
$packages = @(
    "Git.Git",
    "Microsoft.VisualStudioCode",
    "Docker.DockerDesktop",
    "SlackTechnologies.Slack",
    "Tailscale.Tailscale",
    "AgileBits.1Password"
)

foreach ($pkg in $packages) {
    Write-Host "Installing $pkg..."
    winget install --id $pkg --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements --silent
}

# 2. Enable BitLocker
Enable-BitLocker -MountPoint "C:" -EncryptionMethod XtsAes256 -TpmProtector
Add-BitLockerKeyProtector -MountPoint "C:" -RecoveryPasswordProtector

# 3. Configure firewall
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private -Enabled True
Set-NetFirewallProfile -Profile Domain,Public,Private `
  -DefaultInboundAction Block -DefaultOutboundAction Allow

# 4. Set power and lock settings
powercfg /change monitor-timeout-ac 5
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System" `
  -Name "InactivityTimeoutSecs" -Value 300

# 5. Enable automatic updates
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU" `
  -Name "AUOptions" -Value 4

Write-Host "=== Onboarding complete $(Get-Date) ==="
Stop-Transcript

10.3 Onboarding checklist (for IT automation)

# onboarding-checklist.yml — track in your ticketing system or Fleet
new_hire_onboarding:
  pre_day_one:
    - Purchase and ship device via CDW/Apple Business Manager
    - Assign device to MDM server in ABM/Autopilot
    - Create accounts: Google Workspace / M365, Okta SSO, GitHub, Slack
    - Generate VPN invite (Tailscale, WireGuard)
    - Prepare welcome documentation link

  day_one_automated:
    - Device powers on and auto-enrolls in MDM (zero-touch)
    - MDM pushes security profiles (encryption, firewall, password policy)
    - Software bundle installs automatically
    - User signs into SSO — all apps authenticate via SAML/OIDC
    - Compliance policies begin evaluation

  day_one_manual:
    - IT schedules 15-min welcome call to verify setup
    - Employee confirms disk encryption enabled (fdesetup status / manage-bde)
    - Employee joins #it-help Slack channel
    - Employee completes security awareness training link

  week_one_verification:
    - Fleet/MDM dashboard shows device as compliant
    - All critical policies passing (encryption, firewall, OS version)
    - VPN connectivity verified
    - MFA enrolled on all critical services

Quick Reference