As a CISO, there are moments when you realize you’ve been asking the wrong question. For months, I’d been personally trying to solve for device sprawl, authentication fatigue, and mobile device loss in a rapidly shifting hybrid work environment for one of my projects. My team was burned out managing mobile devices manually or with disparate tools. Worse yet, we lacked the visibility we needed to properly assess our security risk. It wasn’t until I came across Imprivata’s Mobile Access Management (MAM) platform at RSAC 2025 that I realized the better question: How do I make mobile devices a strength in our zero-trust strategy rather than a liability?
The solution wasn’t about getting more tools; it was about unifying them. That’s exactly what Imprivata has accomplished with their newly updated Mobile Access Management platform (now enhanced with advanced analytics capabilities).
Mobile Chaos, Meet Operational Control
At its core, Imprivata’s MAM platform is about enabling secure, efficient access to shared mobile devices. For environments like hospitals, call centers, logistics, and finance, where devices are passed between users across shifts, this kind of access can make or break both workflow and compliance.
I saw a demo where a clinician checked out a smartphone with a badge tap, received a personalized workspace in under two seconds, and had everything wiped clean upon return. That process – automated, auditable, fast – was something my team had been trying to manually replicate with marginal success.
What struck me was how Imprivata addressed the trifecta of concerns we face: user friction, device loss, and compliance gaps. With a smart dock and badge-tap authentication, users get fast access without remembering passwords. When the shift ends, the device resets. No more ghost user sessions or forgotten logouts. Just clean, consistent use.
The Real Game-Changer: Advanced Analytics
The analytics layer sealed the deal for me. With the new release, Imprivata added insights into who is using what, when, and where. It’s a feature that aggregates data across your entire mobile device ecosystem and presents it in dashboards and alerts that even busy security teams can use without diving into spreadsheets.
Need to know which departments are hoarding devices? Done. Want to find out if one user has checked out three devices and never returned one? Done. Looking to optimize hardware distribution across business units? That data is finally at your fingertips.
Financial Efficiency, User Simplicity
Imprivata doesn’t just talk security. They’re proving ROI. One case study from Yale New Haven Health showed an 80% drop in device loss and a $500,000 savings in annual replacement costs after adopting this solution. Those numbers hit home. I calculated our own annual losses from mobile assets – including lost productivity from locked-out users – and we were well into six figures.
The operational win is just as important. Nurses at Yale reported spending 80% less time logging into mobile apps. My team saw similar patterns during our pilot – fewer helpdesk tickets, more time on actual work, and less frustration from frontline staff. It’s not a small win when your security tools actually improve productivity.
Building a Mobile-Centric Zero Trust Framework
For years, mobile devices have been the awkward stepchildren of zero trust strategies. They’re harder to track, authenticate, and control. Imprivata changes that. The platform anchors mobile security to identity: only verified users can access a device, apps are provisioned in real time, and devices that fall out of compliance are flagged immediately.
Why Industry Fit Matters
As a vCISO supporting clients in healthcare and finance, I’ve seen plenty of security platforms fall short when it comes to regulated industries. Imprivata, however, was purpose-built with these environments in mind. It integrates with badge systems, respects privacy laws, and maintains full audit trails. That industry alignment matters. It means fewer workarounds, faster deployment, and easier auditor conversations.
Chip Hughes, Imprivata’s Chief Product Officer, said it best:
“We’re solving the operational and workflow challenges that have made mobile security so complex for regulated industries. Our advanced analytics give organizations the visibility they need to make smart, compliant decisions.”
Key Takeaways for Fellow CISOs
- Visibility is non-negotiable. You can’t secure what you can’t see. Imprivata gives you insight into device usage and risk without the overhead of traditional MDM solutions.
- Identity is the anchor. Secure access isn’t about passwords anymore. Badge tap, proximity authentication, and SSO ensure devices are only used by the right people.
- Compliance gets easier. Real-time auditing, usage logs, and automated reset policies reduce the burden of audits and regulatory review.
- Shared devices make economic sense. Moving from 1:1 to pooled device models can cut device costs by 28% while improving control and utilization.
- Your team will thank you. Fewer logins, faster checkouts, and automatic resets mean less friction and more time on what matters.
Conclusion: From Blind Spots to Insight
I came to RSAC looking for a better way to manage mobile risk. I left with a platform that can turn mobile endpoints from the biggest blind spot into one of the most mature control points. Imprivata’s Mobile Access Management platform, with advanced analytics, can provide clarity, control, and confidence.
For CISOs facing the same uncertainty I did – juggling compliance, endpoint sprawl, and frustrated users – Imprivata is worth a serious look. It’s not just a tool; it’s a strategy. One that turns the chaos of mobile device management into a seamless part of your zero trust future.
Achieve rapid time-to-value and maximize your investment in Mobile Access Management with the MAM QuickStart Program, uniquely designed to support customers from initial implementation through sitewide deployment in a matter of months: Quickstart – Mobile Access Management | Imprivata
About the Author
Pete Green is the CISO / CTO of Anvil Works, a ProCloud SaaS company. With over 25 years of experience in information technology and cybersecurity, Pete is a seasoned and accomplished security practitioner.
Throughout his career, he has held a wide range of technical and leadership roles, including LAN/WLAN Engineer, Threat Analyst, Security Project Manager, Security Architect, Cloud Security Architect, Principal Security Consultant, Director of IT, CTO, CEO, Virtual CISO, and CISO.
Pete has supported clients across numerous industries, including federal, state, and local government, as well as financial services, healthcare, food services, manufacturing, technology, transportation, and hospitality.
He holds a Master of Computer Information Systems in Information Security from Boston University, which is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance / Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD) by the NSA and DHS. He also holds a Master of Business Administration in Informatics.
