Introduction
BYOD (Bring your own device) is not a new phrase in the IT world. Since the inception of the smartphone, many companies offer their employee’s the option to use their own phones for work.
In this article, we’ll be uncovering some important facts about BYOD, from primary benefits, to security considerations.
Why is BYOD a good thing?
There are several reasons why BYOD is important, including increased productivity. Employees are likely to increase productivity when they are using a familiar device. Plus, mobile apps often allow for simple and better-to-manage solutions for a variety of business tasks.
The other main benefit of BYOD is reduced cost to the business. The upfront cost of purchasing smartphones, line contracts and insurance can be a costly exercise.
It’s not only the cost – if there’s a fleet of devices and lines, then someone in the business has to manage those devices and the lines. This can be time-consuming, and it’s one big headache that’s removed if you have a BYOD policy.
Many companies have a BYOD policy (if you don’t have one yet, check out a template we have here).
BYOD Considerations
There are some key points you need to think about if you do decide to go down the BYOD route.
Firstly, will you be compensating the employee in any way for the use of their mobile device for work activities? Usually, compensation is paid via a monthly “bonus” to the employee – while small, it does take out the headache of managing devices.
The other notable challenge is the security of company data. How exactly will you control company data on a personal phone? For most,
the simple solution is to focus on managing email security on the device. Email is the most likely reason a phone is being used for business purposes.
But what happens when the employee moves on or is let go? How do you secure their emails?
Most email providers like Office 365 have you covered, and you can lock down access to email via a management console.
However, your policy must reflect what is going to be controlled on the employee’s device. The employee must comply with any processes you have for data security.
If you would like help exploring how to control and manage company data on employee devices, then please get in touch with us here.
Get in touch with us
Secutor Cybersecurity is a trusted partner comprised of industry leading experts in the fields of Cybersecurity and Governance, Risk and Compliance. We partner with our clients to deliver on-demand solutions tailored to expertly navigate the regulatory demands of their specific industries.
Our proven track record of successfully exceeding client expectations is achieved through the combination of our methodical approach, advanced technologies, subject matter experts, and synergy with client team members.
Secutor is your team of world-class problem solvers with vast expertise and experience delivering complete solutions keeping your organization protected, audit-ready, and running smoothly.
