Are you able to access your computer network in the office with your personal iPad? What about your personal iPhone or your laptop computer? This movement, known as bring-your-own-device or BYOD, is rising in the workplace. It’s a wise idea: When companies encourage employees to bring their personal devices to the office, these same organizations don’t have to spend as much on desktop computers and other high-tech tools. The move also makes sense for workers. Employees will be more accustomed to their own devices. And if they bring their own laptops and tablets to work, they can more easily transport their files, email messages and important documents back and forth from home to work.
The Risks of BYOD
All of this sounds great but there are some risks in adopting a BYOD work environment that should not be overlooked. A writer for ComputerWorld recently wrote a column discussing this. For one, increasing the quantity of devices that are connected to a network increases the risk of malware attacks. Businesses can install anti-virus software on devices they own, but it is hard to control the safety measures employees are taking with their personal devices.
Company Information at Risk
At the same time, when employees load confidential workplace data onto their mobile devices, companies face an entirely new set of concerns. What if employees lose their mobile devices? There’s no guarantee that sensitive information won’t fall into the wrong hands. Delaney writes that companies must properly educate their employees on how to use their mobile devices as safely as possible. Some companies might want to ban outside devices from their networks. That’s not entirely reasonable, though. Outside mobile devices help employees do more work more proficiently. Companies don’t want to limit the production of employees by refusing them access to the network with these devices.
The BYOD Trend
BYOD is a trend that isn’t going to fade away. Mobile devices are crucial work tools for a growing number of employees. Companies, then, must make sure to teach these employees on how to safely connect them to the workplace network.