Does your company have a BYOD policy in place yet? If not, it might be time to consider implementing one. Let’s answer the question, “What is a BYOD policy,” and then take a quick look at what a policy can mean for your business. Show
What is a BYOD policy?Depending on who you’re talking to, BYOD (bring your own device) can mean quite a few different things — which is why some people choose to exchange BYOD for BYOT (bring your own technology). But in simple terms, BYOD involves using personal technology for work-related purposes. So if someone used their phone to access company emails from the coffee shop — that’s a form of BYOD. If someone used their personal laptop to finish a company project from home — that’s also a form of BYOD. At this point, a major problem presents itself — how does a company secure the data that is accessed and stored on these personal devices? This is where the policy comes into play. Just as there are different versions of BYOD, there are also different versions of a BYOD policy. But typically, it’s a written set of rules that helps a company better control personal devices used to access its data. What is included in a BYOD policy?Of course, the next thing to ask yourself is what should (or shouldn’t) be included in a BYOD policy. While you might think it’s safe to assume that anything and everything should be covered by this policy, that’s not always the smartest route to go. It’s important to remember that your employees should still feel like their devices are their devices and that they have some degree of privacy. If they don’t, then a BYOD policy will never work. Here’s a quick list of areas your BYOD policy should cover:
How do companies create and manage a BYOD policy?A BYOD policy can always be created internally by management and IT staff; however, most companies that require a comprehensive BYOD policy outsource that responsibility to an IT provider. An IT provider can assist in the creation of your BYOD policy and help you successfully manage the devices wrapped up in that policy. But at this point, things start to branch out into mobile device management — where an IT provider will control, monitor, and secure your company’s connected devices. This typically involves remote wipe capabilities, the actual security solution, device tracking, and more. BYOD is on the rise as the benefits of using personal devices for work become more apparent. If your employees use personal devices to access work-related apps and data, a BYOD policy ensures this practice does not become counter-productive or make you vulnerable to attacks. This article explains how companies can create an effective BYOD policy and make the most out of this workplace strategy. We also cover the security concerns and best practices every decision-maker should know before signing off on the BYOD approach. What is a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Policy?A BYOD policy is a set of guidelines that define how employees can and cannot use a personal device for work, whether in the office or from home. Smartphones are the most common subject of BYOD, but a policy can also enable employees to use tablets, laptops, and PCs. The main reasons why companies opt for BYOD are:
Instead of mandating and providing specific hardware or technologies, the company allows employees to use the platforms and devices they prefer. Meanwhile, the IT department controls operations with:
Whether a company has a BYOD policy or not, the reality is that employees will at some point connect to the corporate network with a personal device. To mitigate this security risk, every organization should either ban the use of personal devices for work-related tasks or create a BYOD policy. Read about the cybersecurity best practices every company should consider regardless of whether employees use BYOD devices or not. What Are the Advantages of BYOD?Below are the main reasons companies decide to take the BYOD route and allow employees to work from personal devices. A Boost in Employee ProductivityFrom the employee’s perspective, BYOD means using familiar devices and apps. The freedom to choose which hardware and platforms to work on makes teams more productive and speeds up project turnarounds. Other factors that boost the productivity of teams with BYOD are:
BYOD is an excellent fit for teams that work remotely. Personal devices ensure work can get done anywhere and anytime, which is why remote-first companies have the most to gain from BYOD. Financial SavingsBYOD creates several cost-saving opportunities, reducing the expenses of:
Cisco estimates that companies can save $350 per employee per year by relying on BYOD. This opportunity makes BYOD a natural choice for SMBs. Keeping Up with the Latest TechIndividuals upgrade devices and embrace new platforms much faster than an average business. An organization can use BYOD to take advantage of cutting-edge tools and features without the pain of a company-wide hardware refresh. Higher Retention RatesThe era of IT companies mandating specific hardware, OSs, and tech is slowly ending. Employees now want more autonomy and responsibility for their technology. Today’s workforce demands:
BYOD enables a company to offer all three desirable factors to its employees. The freedom you provide to the team leads to better retention rates as the talent will be happy to stay put and enjoy the benefits of BYOD. Quicker Responses to CyberattacksIf a device becomes an entry point for a cyberattack, the employee is more likely to notice something is wrong on a private than a corporate device. Timely detection gives the security team more time to respond and isolate the threat, improving the chances of stopping the attack on time. Quick response times are particularly vital to ransomware attacks. Our article about ransomware prevention teaches 18 effective methods to counter this dangerous cyberthreat. What Are the Challenges of BYOD?While BYOD offers many benefits, allowing employees to work from personal devices also poses some unique challenges. The most notable drawbacks of BYOD are:
Finally, the biggest drawback of BYOD is security. BYOD grants access to business apps and resources to non-managed devices, which creates a lot of room for potential data breaches. What Are the Risks of BYOD and What to Consider from a Security Standpoint?Granting employees the freedom to pick devices and platforms creates a broad attack surface. The main security issues of BYOD are:
When a company uses the right mix of precautions, BYOD does not present a more significant threat than corporate devices employees use on-site. To achieve this level of security, however, a company needs a robust BYOD policy that mitigates all the risks. What Should a BYOD Policy Include?Before you start creating a BYOD policy, you first need to consult with your employees. Ensure employees are on board with the upcoming shift and move forward only if:
Workers must know what BYOD entails, particularly in terms of costs and security. Employees must also know that BYOD will exert some form of control over their smartphones, tablets, and laptops. If you and your employees are on board with the shift to BYOD, you are ready to start working on the policy. Below is a list of everything you need to cover to make a well-rounded BYOD guideline. List of Allowed Device TypesA BYOD policy must define precisely what devices and OSs employees can use as a part of BYOD. For example, some companies may allow iPads in a work environment but forbid all other tablets due to some security concerns. Some companies decide to limit devices based solely on brands and OSs, but a more cautious approach is to detail the list down to models and versions. Either way, your IT department must set up and configure every device before employees start accessing business data. List of Permitted and Banned AppsThis list should extend to any device that connects to your network, whether corporate or personal. Major considerations include:
The goal of this list is to define what users can download and use on BYOD devices. As you are restricting personal devices, the blacklisting approach is a more sensible strategy for enforcing rules. A Robust Security PolicyA security policy defines the protocols an employee must follow when using a BYOD device. This policy is vital to your cybersecurity and should enforce:
Consult with your security team to see what policies and software you can reliably enforce. For additional security, you can also:
Keep in mind that most employees tend to resist having long passwords or lock screens on personal devices. However, there is no room for compromise as a BYOD device has direct access to sensitive data. A mere swipe-and-go unlock system is not enough to keep the company safe. Consider deploying a password management solution that helps employees store, generate, and manage strong passwords. A Clear Service PolicyA BYOD policy must define what happens if a personal device runs into hardware or software problems. You need to specify:
You should also decide if the company will offer loaner devices while the personal device is out of commission. Some employees do not have backup devices, so having equipment in reserve ensures the work does not slow down in case of a technical issue. The Rules for Wiping DevicesIf an employee loses a device with access to corporate data, your BYOD policy should assert the right to wipe the device remotely. This procedure is the only way to keep your business safe in case of a lost or stolen device. Mobiles and laptops typically store private data such as music or photos, so ensure workers know how to back up private content before they start working from a BYOD device. Always allow the employee to restore personal information before you wipe the device’s memory. An Acceptable Use PolicyAllowing a personal device to connect to a business network introduces some doubt about what activities are and are not acceptable. Some activities that may be questionable while the user is on a corporate network or VPN are:
Consult with both the security and legal team to create an acceptable use policy for the BYOD users. An Effective Employee Exit StrategyYour policy must include a strategy for offboarding an employee with a BYOD device. Determine how you will enforce the removal of:
The most secure offboarding strategy is to run a mandatory, complete wipe of the BYOD device. Like in the lost device scenario, ensure the employee has a chance to backup personal data before you start the wipe. Workforce Education MaterialYou need to provide materials and organize training sessions for clarifying policies of your BYOD approach. In addition, make sure employees know what you expect and train them to recognize signs of:
Each BYOD user must know the proper measures to prevent and respond to security incidents. Once an employee finishes training, you need a signed agreement that proves the person understands the policy and agrees to comply. For the Right Company, BYOD Is a Game-ChangerBYOD is an excellent way to boost employee flexibility and productivity. However, the practice does have unique challenges that may push some teams away from the concept. As the BYOD market will reach $350 billion by 2022, however, more and more companies are finding this approach fruitful—use this article to evaluate if your organization is among those that can benefit from the BYOD strategy. What should be included in a BYOD policy?7 Things to Include in your BYOD Policy. 1: Specify what devices are permitted. ... . 2: Determine who owns information stored on the device. ... . 3: Provide a list of permitted apps. ... . 4: Decide on phone number ownership. ... . 5: Agree on a payment structure. ... . 6: Outline security requirements. ... . 7: Be flexible.. What is bring your own device BYOD concept?Bring your Own Device (BYOD) is the set of policies in a business that allows employees to use their own devices – phone, laptop, tablet or whatever – to access business applications and data, rather than forcing employees to use company-provided devices for that purpose.
What are some challenges for organizations with bring your own devices BYOD policies?Below are some BYOD risks you should be aware of if your company decides to allow employees to use their preferred devices for work-related activities:. Unclear Security Expectations. ... . Compromised Data. ... . Unsecured Wi-Fi Access. ... . Malware. ... . Device Management Considerations. ... . Mobile Application Vetting. ... . Ongoing Employee Training.. |