BYOD offers many benefits, but you have to consider the IT Security Risks
The evolution of personal mobile devices and the rise of how necessary they are to business success these days are forcing many small business owners to make a choice. "Bring Your Own Device” vs. “Corporate Owned Device”.
The Typical Solution - BYOD
It is estimated that 89% of small-business employees use their personal mobile devices for work. But the headache involved here is how do you support and secure all of these devices? The scary thing is that most small businesses don’t even try! A recent CDW survey found that only 1 in 5 small businesses have deployed (or plan to deploy) any systems for managing and securing employees’ personal devices.
The Alternative - Are Corporate Devices a better choice?
A minority of small businesses has implemented a Corporate Owned Device policy instead. They buy their employees’ mobile devices, secure them, and then let employees load additional personal applications that they want or need. And the employers control what types of apps can be added too. And the “personally enabled” aspect of COPE allows employees to choose the company-approved device they prefer while permitting them to use it both personally and professionally. This option is certainly more controlled and secure, but for a business with a limited budget, buying devices for every employee can add up pretty quick. If you go the this route and are large enough to buy in volume, you can likely negotiate substantial discounts.
Security Concerns With BYOD
If you have client information that must be kept secure or other industry specific regulations regarding the security of client data, then Corporate Owned Devices are likely your best approach. It takes out any gray area of whose data is whose. Plus there is a certain comfort level in being able to recover or confiscate any device for any reason at any time to protect your company without any worries of device ownership.
Advice For BYOD Companies
Despite the numerous advantages of Corporate Owned Devices, most small businesses will still choose BYOD because it can save them money. Here are 2 of Lawrence Reusing’s (GM of mobile security at Imation) important rules for BYOD. Consider these when creating your mobile device policy.
- Assume employees will use personal devices on the corporate network even if they are told not to. 50% of employees use personal devices to take confidential data out of companies every day.
- Assume employees value convenience more than security. If your policies are inconvenient, employees will work around them.
If you would like more information on Mobile Device Management or Security, call IntelliSuite today at 877-843-5767.
