BYOD: Balancing IT Consumerisation And Security

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) basically revolves around allowing employees to bring in and use their own laptops, smartphones, tablets or other devices into a working environment. So, instead of the IT department specifying on the hardware, users are free to bring in and use gadgets of their liking.

Evolution of BYOD

Apple has been considered as the most important catalyst of BYOD enablement with the introduction of the iPhone and iPads. However the idea of users choosing and bringing their own device to work predates this. The thing is, the usage of one's own device to get work done has always been the number one choice. Reason why we mentioned that Apple was a working catalyst that helped reach the masses. Over the last decade or so, companies have been focused on making employees more independent. However, it can be annoying for any given employee to know that a particular task which can be accomplished faster either when using a different browser, application or operating system, needs to be carried forth using a product that's deployed by the IT department. Mobility was god sent for corporate workers. Rather than being strapped to a 4 by 4 cubicle, workers increasingly turned to getting work done remotely - from home offices, coffee shops, airports, even hotel rooms for that matter. Here, users don't have access to resources or support which you typically get from IT, which has further nurtured the need to be resourceful. This level of independency has further given employees the ability and knowledge to bypass the policies set by IT departments. Let's just say, when a company puts forth a specific operating system to use, rogue employees have more than successfully found ways to bypass certain policies or requirements to get the job done. The same can be applied to employees who are constantly on the move.

Benefits of BYOD

BYOD in general features some very unique advantages along with a handful of drawbacks for both individuals and organizations. From an organization's point of view, BYOD is seen as a cost effective measure as the burden of supply is on the employee. He/she decides on what would fit best as per the needs. However, there are a few organizations that sponsor the devices at a subsidized rate for the user which still results in lowering the cost. Adding to this, another advantage is the fact that individuals tend to upgrade at a much faster rate than a business would. So if you take a closer look at BYOD, from a user's perspective, it basically means to be able to make use of a device or application or both which they are most comfortable with. This in turn creates an employee who is more productive and satisfied at the same time.

Risks of BYOD

The hazards that come associated with BYOD are aplenty. We need to know that BYOD isn't just limited to Smartphones but Laptops, tablets, netbooks are also considered to be a threat. Having said that, the risks involved not only vary from region to region but also from company to company. It is therefore imperative for IT admins to have stringent BYOD policies in place to help secure data irrespective of where it resides. This also includes devices that aren't provided by the company.

Conclusion

The challenge of implementing BYOD should not necessarily be the reason to ban the usage of personal devices since it has tremendous potential in the corporate space. The benefits are huge for both corporates and employees alike. The crux of the matter is not just to make use of its advantage but to also address issues at hand. All in all, the trick is to employ BYOD in a manner that simply works for all concerned.