Technology usage continues to grow exponentially in the workplace, as smartphones and laptops play an essential part in making things happen. Many companies have a BYOD or “bring your own device” policy. It allows employees to use their personal devices for work purposes instead of those issued by the company.
Organizations in every field are adopting BYOD policies for their workforce and realizing incredible benefits. Letting your employees use their own devices will make them more efficient, cut down on business expenses, and increase productivity.
Like every coin has two sides, BYOD does have pros, but it also comes with cons. Let’s look at some of the reason why BYOD is not a Good Idea.
- Security Risks: Maybe the most significant concern with BYOD is security. If a personal device is misplaced or stolen, or the worker allows friends or family to use it, confidential and proprietary information can be at risk. If an employee is using public Wi-Fi, exposure to hacking or malware is possible. Companies must also delete data from the employee’s computer after the employee leaves and suspend their access to the network. Mobile device management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM) can address security issues by allowing for the wiping of missing or stolen devices and updating security solutions.
- Increased Pressure on IT Staff: To troubleshoot and enforce security measures, the IT staff must be familiar with a more extensive range of devices and operating systems.
- Privacy Issues: BYOD gives businesses less control about which apps are installed or which websites are accessed, even those which are more likely to contain malware. Employees may also feel that MDM or MAM gives their employer access to phones or tablets’ private information.
- Liability for Damage: In busy warehouse environments, durability is particularly critical. Will the device selected by a worker is durable enough to withstand working conditions? And if the personal phone of an employee gets damaged during work, is the organization responsible for fixing or replacing it?
- Potential Infrastructure Upgrades: BYOD may mean more devices on the company network, rising bandwidth demand, and requiring improvements to the network.
- BYOD Policy Development: A successful BYOD program requires policy development (legal advice may be needed), planning, and training.
