Hybrid work has transformed meeting rooms from simple AV setups into intelligent, network-connected environments filled with cameras, microphones, sensors, collaboration displays, and wireless sharing tools. While this digital evolution boosts productivity, it has also introduced two major challenges for IT teams: security and fragmentation.
According to Frost & Sullivan, security is now the number one challenge for IT, with 66% of decision-makers ranking it as a significant or critical concern. Meeting rooms, once isolated spaces, are now full of connected endpoints that can quickly become unmonitored attack surfaces if not properly secured.
At the same time, Android now powers many meeting room devices. But with each vendor shipping its own Android variant, IT teams are left managing a mix of versions, custom UIs, patching schedules, and security levels. This creates a heterogeneous fleet that can be difficult to secure, manage, and update at scale.
That’s exactly the challenge the Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) set out to solve - and why Barco built the ClickShare Hub on it.
What is MDEP? (Beyond the acronym)
The Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) is an Android-based platform built on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that enables device manufacturers and software developers to create, secure, and manage intelligent, enterprise-grade Android devices using Microsoft’s security, management, and deployment tools.
It is not a fork or a new flavor of AOSP. Instead, it uses the AOSP foundation while adding Microsoft’s enterprise services for security, lifecycle stability, and device integrations. Historically, however, Android-based devices have been implemented in inconsistent, fragmented ways. MDEP addresses this with a consistent, Microsoft-managed platform that’s secure, stable, and consistent across vendors.
For IT leaders, the benefit is straightforward – a predictable, enterprise-grade Android base designed to reduce fragmentation and improve control at scale. Microsoft maintains a regular cadence, including monthly security patches and up to four annual feature releases, so device manufacturers – such as Barco – can keep devices current while focusing their effort on differentiated hardware and experiences. OEMs retain responsibility for device firmware; MDEP standardizes the OS layer.
AOSP vs MDEP at a glance
Feature category | Android Open Source Project (AOSP) | Microsoft Device Ecosystem Platform (MDEP) |
Foundational base | Open, highly customizable base managed per OEM. | AOSP-based foundation managed by Microsoft with enterprise services for security, lifecycle, and device integrations. |
Security | Basic verified boot; varies by vendor. | Hardware-based attestation (PKI), app integrity services, enterprise-hardened protections. |
Update management | OEM-dependent schedules can be inconsistent. | Microsoft-managed monthly security patches plus feature releases; OEMs package firmware that incorporates these updates. |
Accessibility services | OEM-defined.
| Built-in accessibility services including on-device Microsoft Text-to-Speech. |
Target use case | Broad consumer use and embedded devices (TVs, phones, appliances). | Designed for an expanding range of enterprise devices (e.g., collaboration systems, touch controllers, signage). |
How MDEP reduces fragmentation for IT
Managing mixed fleets of Android–based room devices often means juggling different firmware, update cycles, and management portals. MDEP addresses this by providing:
- A consistent, Microsoft-managed Android OS foundation across vendors.
- A predictable update stream (monthly security patches, feature releases) to keep the OS layer current at scale.
- Alignment with Microsoft management services such as Intune for policy and compliance, with Teams-specific monitoring and lifecycle operations available in Teams admin center for Teams devices.
The result: fewer surprises, fewer management tools, and fewer security gaps.
A multi-layered approach to security
Security is a non-negotiable for modern collaboration spaces. MDEP provides a foundation that includes:
- Hardware-based attestation (PKI): Devices can validate their identity via PKI certificates before accessing the cloud.
- A secure foundation: Built-in features like secure boot and app integrity services help reduce the risk of unauthorized tampering with hardware or software.
- Enterprise-grade patching: Monthly updates help IT respond quickly to vulnerabilities.
What ClickShare adds on top of MDEP
ClickShare Hub, one of the first ClickShare products built on MDEP, builds on MDEP’s foundation by adopting a multi-layer security approach that extends from the hardware level to the network and software layers. While MDEP provides a secure enterprise-hardened foundation, Barco adds additional safeguards, such as:
- Secure boot: Helps protect the device by allowing only trusted, authorized software to load at startup.
- Firmware encryption: Helps protect core OS instructions from unauthorized access or modification.
- Rigorous security validation: We apply extensive security testing as part of product assurance to meet strict enterprise and regulatory needs.
- Wi-Fi 6E Support: The 5th gen ClickShare Button supports Wi-Fi 6E for more robust wireless connectivity and higher bandwidth for high-quality 4K sharing.
What IT needs to know
A consistent OS foundation plus predictable updates means fewer surprises and a simpler path to standardization.
Align device policy and compliance with Microsoft Intune, and manage Teams device lifecycle/visibility in Teams admin center where applicable – alongside XMS Cloud for ClickShare-specific controls.
Hardware-backed attestation, secure/verified boot, and integrity services provide a modern trust baseline.
The path forward
As meeting rooms evolve into intelligent, AI-powered environments, organizations need an infrastructure that is both simple to deploy and secure by design. MDEP provides that foundation; ClickShare Hub builds on it to deliver a managed, secure, and scalable experience in the meeting room – without adding complexity to IT.
Want to know more?
In December, we hosted a webinar – The Power of MDEP: How a Microsoft‑managed Android foundation helps transform workplace collaboration – featuring guest speakers Roopam Jain, Vice President of Research, Frost & Sullivan, and Yoav Barzilay, Director of Program Management, MDEP at Microsoft. Watch the recording here:
