BYOD, or bring your own device, is an important consideration in today’s IT landscape. Many people use their own personal devices, such as their laptops, smartphones, and tablets, for business activities. While this may be viewed as a positive because it increases productivity in the workplace, there are also some risks associated with the practice. When companies purchase the devices for their employees, they have the ability to also control its security features and with BYOD, this isn’t always the case.
Here is an overview of some of the security risks associated with BYOD, as well as some insight on what can be done to minimize these risks:
Data Leaks
Devices such as smartphones and tablets are particularly vulnerable to hacking, which means that sensitive company data can easily end up in the wrong hands. While it is possible to protect these devices by taking extra security measures, they often require regular patch updates. The average user isn’t always vigilant about applying security updates, leaving sensitive company data vulnerable to leaks. To prevent this from happening, it is important for businesses to work with IT departments or their managed IT providers to develop BYOD usage procedures that will encourage employees to better protect sensitive data.
Security Vulnerabilities
With BYOD, the security capabilities of the device are only as good as the user’s knowledge. The truth is, many people don’t have adequate security measures in place and many hackers can take advantage of this. When IT departments aren’t in full control over the devices that people use, the resultant security vulnerabilities could cause all kinds of headaches, especially if there is a known security breach. According to a BYOD security study performed by Hewlett Packard, 97% of the employee devices that were analyzed in the study contained at least one security issue. Businesses can manage this risk by putting certain policies in place, such as requiring that a VPN connection be used when working on business matters. This could help decrease these vulnerabilities considerably because then the connection itself will be controlled by the business.
IT Infrastructure Compliance
In order for BYOD to be successfully implemented, it is important that CIOs or VCIOs assess the IT infrastructure and make any necessary modifications. In particular, IT needs to determine which applications are allowed to interact with company data. By modifying the infrastructure, businesses will be able to control the level of protection needed to secure company data. In other words, a full review of the existing infrastructure will help the IT staff determine if the existing infrastructure can actually handle BYOD or if there are vulnerabilities that need to be addressed before it can be implemented.
Because of the associated security risks, it may seem as if BYOD is a risk for any business. The reality is, allowing people to use their own devices can greatly increase productivity and allow for a more globally oriented workforce. Rather than eliminate BYOD completely, it can be a much better idea for companies to work with their IT support staff to find a way to manage the risks properly.
