BYOD , or Bring Your Own Device policies, are common in the workforce today. The debate surrounding them runs rampant. Here are seven reasons why you should care what your company’s policies are.
- Allowing employees to bring devices they’re comfortable with means they are less likely to miss an important email or get bogged down in learning the system rather than accomplishing work.
- This attachment to a device of their choice also means that employees are more likely to protect the devices. Smartphone or tablet, physical damage or cyber threat, people take better care of their own toys than company-issued ones. Realistically speaking, people are more attached to the items they buy. It’s not only because they paid for it, but also because they get to pick out what they’re most comfortable with and the features they prefer.
- Since they take their devices almost everywhere and use them freely, it also means employees will be more productive, flexible and mobile.
- From a business standpoint, it also saves your company money. Each employee brings his or her own, rather than the company financing one for everyone. It’s estimated by Heimdal Security that 50% of companies will require BOYD by 2017.
On the other hand, there are downsides to BYOD Policies as well.
- If lost, the device doesn’t pose merely a loss and threat to the employee… It also becomes a potential threat to the company. Instead of worrying only about personal information or if someone is going to destroy an employee’s online reputation, the company now has to consider network security. If the phone was stolen instead of lost, someone trying to gain access becomes much more likely.
- There’s a high risk of cyber threat through downloading third party apps or using an unprotected Wi-Fi network. As is evidenced by the recent popularity of Pokemon GO, people love it and other games — yes, even during work. These types of third party apps can be an entry point into a network if employees aren’t taught how to properly secure their devices.
- On top of that, there’s the issue of compliance, depending on which industry you’re in. According to PC World “There is also an issue of compliance and ownership when it comes to data. Businesses that fall under compliance mandates such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GLBA have certain requirements related to information security and safeguarding specific data. Those rules still must be followed even if the data is on a laptop owned by an employee.” You may have to train each of your employees or dedicate a team to ensure compliance.
If you’d like to learn more about BYOD policies and what precautions you can take, please contact us today.