Mobile Devices are a very common thing in the workplace, and the number and types of devices being used is only expected to increase in the coming years as our economy and daily lives become more and more dependent on them.
As a result, many companies have adopted BYOD, or “Bring Your Own Device” policies at work, as they have found that their staff members already have a device that will do the job, and that oftentimes they prefer to use their own devices anyway. Carrying around two cell phones, two tablets or two laptops can be a pain, and can feel like an unnecessary expense and redundancy for both the employee and the company alike.
This policy comes with some risks and expenses of its own. If not implemented and managed correctly, BYOD policies can turn into a quagmire of liability, risk and blurred boundaries.
Avoid these common pitfalls when creating your company’s BYOD policies.
Not having, or enforcing a BYOD policy
It may feel tempting to just allow your employees to show up with their cell phone, tablet, or other device, login and get to work. But what you don’t know, and what they don’t know can cost you both, so before you empower your staff to BYOD, have a BYOD plan and policy, and be prepared to enforce it.
Not wiping a device of sensitive information when the employee leaves the company
Unless you already have EMM (Enterprise Mobility Management) software that will wipe devices of sensitive information automatically, you will need to have a process in place to remove apps, saved login information etc. from your employee’s devices if they decide to leave the company.
Crippling your employees with excessive security protocols
Keep in mind this is still their personal device! If you don’t balance security with risk, you can find yourself in a position where you cripple your employees devices with security protocols and features rendering them inoperable.
Failing to support common devices, apps, emails and calendars
If you desire productivity and efficiency, don’t burden your employees with the expectation that they will have to be using non-native emails, apps, or calendars.
Failing to educate, inform, and include employees in BYOD best practices.
Just because they walked in with a cell phone in hand, doesn’t mean that they are experts on data security and best practices. If your employees know WHY a protocol or practice is in place, they will be more likely to honor it! Train them, support them and watch your staff become the guardians of your company’s most sensitive data, as opposed to begrudging followers of policy.
There are many other things to keep in mind when you are instituting a BYOD policy for your company, or when the time comes to update or revamp your existing one. If you are considering only a handful of devices, your needs are going to be a lot different than those at an enterprise level. If you have a lot of devices, apps or security needs, you will need to consider EMM or MDM (mobile device management) in order to reap the biggest rewards, and avoid the biggest pitfalls!
Want to learn more about how device management can streamline your BYOD policies, increase productivity and reduce company stress and expense? We’ve partnered with AT&T to bring you the kind of coverage and experience you need to seamlessly manage all of your devices.
