Advancements in information technology introduced significant improvements to mobile communications which enable personnel within organizations to attend meetings, deliver information, and collaborate anytime and anywhere. In order to stay competitive and leverage this new technology, organizations have provided mobile device connectivity to personnel in the form of smart phones and tablet computers that do boost efficiency and effectiveness of communications, however also increase the organization’s cyber-attack surface.
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) programs, in which users connect their private mobile devices to the organization’s networks, introduced in part as a response to the number of employees that prefer to carry a single mobile device rather than both a company and a private mobile device, and as a mobile communications cost savings to organizations. Although BYOD does reduce costs significantly, resolving one major issue with mobile communications in the enterprise, unfortunately BYOD also broadens IT security issues by enabling personnel to transport confidential company information and communications on their private mobile devices. Should the devices be lost or stolen, the organization could suffer damages in compromised company information and compromised customer and partner information protected by federal regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act).
Fortunately there are relatively cost-effective solutions to overcome mobile device vulnerabilities when supported by a BYOD program based on best practice. Controls and solutions such as Mobile App Management or MAM, leveraging centralized controls through Enterprise Mobile Management (EMM) or Mobile Device Management (MDM) techniques, that use either app containers or app wrapping technologies, coupled with a tightly managed BYOD security program and policies that control for human factors, can ensure that company data remains safe even when allowed to reside on authorized BYOD mobile devices.
Contact us to learn more about how your organization can reap the BYOD benefits while minimizing the risks.