Bring your own device (BYOD)

What is Bring your own device (BYOD)?

Bring your own device (BYOD) describes a company policy which allows the use of employees’ owned devices for work, such as phones, laptops and tablets. There are 3 levels of BYOD :

1. Level 1: Basic Access: employees are allowed to access email and calendar on their personal devices, but no other corporate resources.
2. Level 2: Controlled Access: employees are allowed to access a wider range of corporate resources, such as data and applications, on their personal devices but with some level of security controls.
3. Level 3: Full Access: employees are allowed to access all corporate resources, such as data and applications, on their personal devices with minimal security controls.

Each level of BYOD corresponds to a different level of access and security controls, allowing the organization to balance the flexibility of BYOD with the need to protect their data and resources.

‍

How to develop a Bring Your Own Device Policy?

IT organisations must decide whether and how to safeguard personal devices, as well as access levels. Above all, a specified BYOD security policy should advise and educate employees on how to use BYOD without jeopardising company data or networks.

The following are important aspects of BYOD policies:

Types of approved devices
Security and data ownership policies
Levels of IT support granted to personal devices (if any)
A strong BYOD security policy should be integrated with overall IT security and acceptable use policies. As IT leaders determine the level of support they will apply to personal devices, they must ensure a balance between organizational security and employees’ personal privacy.

‍

What are the advantages of BYOD?

The following are some of the benefits of allowing employees to bring their own devices to work:

• According to a study, a 16 percent increase in productivity during a 40-hour workweek* can be achieved by increasing staff productivity.
• Supporting flexible work options increased employee job satisfaction and employee retention.
• Employee productivity increases as a result of their increased comfort and quickness with their own devices.
• Without IT spending on hardware, software licencing, or device upkeep, upgraded technologies are integrated into the workplace.

‍

What are the disadvantages of BYOD?

Employees that use personal gadgets on the job may face the following disadvantages:

• Possible data breaches as a result of lost or stolen personal devices or personnel leaving the organisation.
• Personal devices do not have firewall or anti-virus software installed.
• If the department decides to provide assistance for personal devices, IT costs may rise.
• The absence of a network

‍

What Is the Importance of BYOD Security?

Because personal devices are likely to enter the office whether or not they are sanctioned by IT, BYOD security is an essential concern for corporate executives. BYOD solutions can boost employee productivity and morale in many circumstances. Personal device access to an organization's network, on the other hand, if left neglected by IT, can pose major security risks.