Mobile workers are a huge trend because it allows people to take charge of their workday and their hours. So long as deadlines are met, mobile work gives you much more freedom as an employee. For employers of mobile workers, this work trend increases productivity and makes for a more trusting and amicable work atmosphere. There is one major challenge, however, and that’s whether or not to adopt a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) policy.
Bring-you-own-device (BYOD)
BYOD is pretty self-explanatory. You allow mobile workers to use their own devices to do company work. Any device used for work will have access to the company network, clouds, and all data stored within. Initially, it would appear that the rewards of a BYOD policy outweigh the risks. Allowing employees to use their device is much more efficient and cost-effective. Employees are also going to be happier and more comfortable with their own devices, but there are some risks to the BYOD phenomenon.
Allowing employees to use personal devices makes it harder for your IT department to protect and monitor the device activity.
Risks of a BYOD policy
The most significant risk is the lack of control and oversight over employees personal devices. Security is a major concern with a BYOD policy. Your IT department is going to have a harder time monitoring the state and activity of each device. So they can’t stay one step ahead of potential risks, viruses, malware, system and software updates.
BYOD is a security risk
It’s none of your business what people do with their devices on their personal time, but if the device has access to company data, including personal and proprietary material, then it becomes your business. Who knows what insecure networks the devices have accessed, or what apps are being downloaded, and what links are being clicked. For every personal device, the higher the risk of a data breach. Any device that has access to your network is a potential risk to your network security. Hackers no longer have to infiltrate your network; they just have to go phishing through all of the personal devices that have access to your network and see if anyone bites.
Insist that each personal device is registered and monitored by your IT department.
Protect your network
You can minimize the risk of a BYOD policy by asking that employees who use a personal device allow that device to be registered and monitored by your IT department. You should also disallow any data to be downloaded to personal devices, opting to use cloud services and other software. This keeps everyone on the same page without having to transfer data to personal devices.
Secure your network with password protection, firewalls, antivirus programs, and a solid back-up and disaster recovery plan. If an employee leaves or is terminated, be sure to lock out that device and employee, and change all passwords.
OnePointSync provides complete IT solutions for Denver businesses. Get the right security measures to protect your network so you can reap the benefits of a BYOD policy, without the risks.
