BYOD policy
BYOD sign icon. Bring your own device symbol.

What companies should know about a BYOD policy

By Kerry Blake

Human Resource Managers would argue that managing people can be difficult. But IT managers know that managing a whole fleet of mobile devices can keep you awake at night. Any data breach for companies can lead to devastating losses. Whether it is company blueprints, important information or other sensitive data, all IT managers know that data security is their number one priority.

With the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) movement has come to a lot of challenges. It gives company employees the authority to have ownership of their own device while working with delicate company information. This is, of course, a massive risk for any company and something every IT manager would want to address. What is the options, what can one do, and why would any company take such a risk?

Well, we will get to that, but first things first. Having a Bring Your Own Device policy, is without a doubt, one of the best decisions a company can make. It takes the financial burden of off them and allows employees to use their personal device(s) for business. This in return improves efficiency and gives employees the feeling of always being a part of their company.

But this also opens the back door to information attacks on your business. The threats will always locate and attack the weakest point in your defences. This is where Mobile Device Management comes in. Every company that has a Bring Your Own device policy should have a strong defence of their sensitive information. Mobile Device Management enables a Bring Your Own Device while creating a platform that scales to support new methods to serve your company’s mobile workforce.

How does Mobile Device Management work?

Mobile Device Management software allows sharing of mobile applications, information and configuration settings for mobile devices. In the simplest terms, it is a security platform where you can manage what information can be seen and send from any employees’ mobile device. Mobile Device Management software allows administrators to oversee mobile devices as easily as logging into and online platform. It allows application management, data security tools, file synchronization and support for companies that has a lot of mobile devices to manage.

What are the risks and benefits for businesses allowing workers to use personal mobile devices?

The benefits outweigh the risk, and here are a few:

Information freedom for you and your employees

The ability for employees to access company data anytime they please can have an enormous impact on the efficiency of your employees’ work. For employees to work on a group project, sync their personal files and access confidential information, this can help save them time and help streamline your business. It truly gives employees the power to work at an optimum level.

It will save you time

It is never beneficial for any company if employees have to go through a lot of “red-tape” to get files or information they need to do their work. It frustrates people and costs the company time and money. With the right Mobile Device Management partner, a company can cut the red tape and modernize their business.

It will save you money

The obvious reason is that it will save your company a lot of money. Not having the responsibility of providing every employee with a mobile device, can save a company a lot of money. And having all their sensitive information safe and secure can be priceless.

Like a lot of things in business, there are risks to having a Bring Your Own Device policy at work. In today’s’ world, there is not a lot of things that is not done through the internet. That means that a lot of potentially harmful information is on email servers and employee’s devices.

Leak or breach of sensitive information

For some companies, their information is crucial to the way they do business, and a breach of it can cause them to shut down. For others, their information may hold a blueprint or company secret. Whatever the reason, we can all agree that there is a reason why the company keeps information safe. It is these companies that know the value of keeping their information safe that is leading the business world today.

Here’s what experts have to say on BYOD policy.

Exposing your company

Having many “portholes” to your company’s information can be daunting. This can increase your risk and put your company’s information in harm’s way. If you ever consider having a Bring Your Own Device policy, this is something you have to take into consideration.

When it comes to managing your company’s information you can simplify it dramatically with a BYOD and a trustworthy Mobile Device Management partner.

Kerry Blake is an MS Office expert, for eight years he was working as IT trainer and lecturer. Currently exploring a life in Ireland and writing about technology on sites like IT Briefcase, Tech Acute and Microsoft. Follow him @KerryBlake.