Do you have a company policy on personal devices? Many companies are moving away from providing corporate devices (ex: phones) directly, rather urging employees to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD.) In fact, according to Gartner, 38 percent of companies expect to move to a BYOD rather than providing devices by 2017. Outside of replacing corporate provided phones, BYOD could also apply to personal tablets and phones that employees would like to use on your corporate network or using corporate apps.
For the business, this decreases the growing number of device under corporate management, the hardware itself and potentially the cost of voice and data usage (if they move to a flat reimbursement system vs. a corporate plan.) In addition, having access to applications, information and other work stuff while on the go can increase an employee’s productivity.
This can also be a boon for the employee b/c many would prefer to have control over the type of device they use. Perhaps they have a preference for iOS or Android vs. Blackberry, would like to use a tablet while they’re out in the field or just want to have the latest and greatest device that just hit the market. For me it was twofold. 1st, I’m more of a clutch/ wristlet girl so carrying around a work and personal phone started to impact my fashion choices (the debate on who owns the phone number itself is another topic entirely.) Second, I’m partial to iOS in my tablet and phone choices.
However, just as there are benefits to BYOD, there are also risks to the organization. Turning a blind eye to the increasing number of employees who are connecting their own devices to your network is dangerous. “If a company doesn’t have a BYOD policy, it’s because they’re trying to pretend this isn’t happening in their organization,” (Steve Martino, vice president of information security and acting CISO of Cisco, told CSO Online. “They think that if they don’t have a policy, BYOD isn’t happening in their organization.”
Just think about, how much of your internal data is sensitive or proprietary? If only there was a way to gain the benefits while minimizing the right. Here are a list of 5 tips for implementing a BYOD program and “corporate policies that encourage mobility”:
- “Develop an approach built around users: To achieve company-wide buy-in and compliance, understand the specific access rights and needs of individual users.
- Involve all stakeholders in the planning phase: Will you compensate employees for using their own devices? Are there specific devices that IT should support? Experts from the legal team to IT to human resources should weigh in on these decisions.
- Create clear BYOD policies: Think of it as a joint venture between employees and the organization. Set clear parameters for acceptable use by publishing and distributing the policy. Be sure to get management and user sign off.
- Treat users as partners, not criminals: Here’s where we diverge from “Breaking Bad” and the necessity for punitive action. Instead of preemptively punishing users with heady policy documents and micromanagement, assume that they’ll protect corporate data with the right tools and guidelines.
- Stay current with industry trends: Considering technology’s pace of change, your policy might not account for the latest gadgets on the market. Review templates and industry BYOD policies on a regular basis, make necessary revisions and publish a new version.” (Justin Keller, Chief Mobility Officer)
Have questions on how to secure your data while still encouraging mobility? Give us a call!!
Teltek is a Certified Avaya Business Partner, NEC Dealer, and Microsoft Partner with two locations in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. We specialize in providing one call technology support for small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits in Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania.