Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) allows employees to use personal phones, tablets, or computers for work. This article summarizes the security risks and policy practices organizations should consider before allowing personal devices to access corporate resources.
BYOD can improve flexibility and communication, but it also adds personal devices to the organization’s security boundary. IT teams must define access requirements, protect company data, and explain employee responsibilities before connecting devices to corporate systems.
Personal devices may include smartphones, computers, or tablets running different operating systems and applications. To minimize risks, network administrators should determine which devices and resources are allowed and implement a policy that informs and trains employees.
Policy Elements
Important elements of Bring Your Own Device policies must include:
- Formalize your strategy All the types of approved devices that can be supported
- Encourage antivirus and anti-spyware software Security and all data ownership policies that employees must comply
- Be consistent Levels of support that the IT department while maintaining security standards and enforcement of the latest updates
- Raise employee awareness work with your employer to raise employee awareness and keep everyone up-to-date on best practices.
The Bottom Line
Some employees might not like the idea of your boss monitoring your communication or devices. Even the simplest act of scanning or responding to work emails on your personal cell phone or laptop while you are at home blurs the line between professional and personal life. Companies that are serious about implementing a bring your own device to work must account for the fact that users are the weakest link in the security chain. Implementing a solution that can resolve or at least mitigate the potential issues must be a requirement for the company.