Advice for Smooth Implementing BYOD Program

Bring your own device (BYOD) is a concept that took off after the invention of the smartphone. As phones became smarter, software developers began to create apps for these phones. Over time, mobile device use has overtaken desktop use in the workplace.

According to Microsoft, mobile devices account for about 60% of endpoints on an enterprise network. They also handle about 80% of the workload. But they are often neglected when it comes to strong cybersecurity measures.

This is especially true for employee-owned mobile devices. BYOD is different from corporate-owned mobile programs. Instead of using the company's tools, employees use their personal devices for work. For many companies, this is the most economical way to keep their teams productive.

Purchasing phones and mobile plans for employees is often financially prohibitive. Plus, it can be inconvenient for employees to carry around two different devices - one personal and one work-related.

An estimated 83% of companies have some sort of BYOD policy.

You can deploy BYOD safely if you follow some best practices. Too often, business owners do not even know which devices are connected to company data. Or which devices might have data stored on them.

Below are some tips on how to navigate the security and challenges of BYOD. These should help you create a win-win situation for employees and the business

Determine Your BYOD Policy

If there are no defined rules for BYOD, you can not expect the process to be secure. Employees could leave business data unprotected. Or they might connect to a public WLAN and then enter their business email password, exposing it.

If you allow employees to access business data from private devices, you need a policy. This policy protects the business from unnecessary risk. It can also specify details that reduce potential problems. For example, it can specify compensation for employees who use personal devices for work.

Hold on Your Policy “Evergreen”

Once a policy becomes outdated, it becomes less relevant to employees. Someone may look at your BYOD policy and notice that a policy is outdated. As a result, they may think they should ignore the entire policy

Make sure your BYOD policy stays "evergreen" This means that you update it regularly as changes affect it.

Choose VoIP Apps for Business Calls

Before the pandemic, 65% of employees shared their personal phone numbers with customers. This often happens because they need to be connected to a customer when they do not have an office phone. Customers may also save a personal number for an employee. For instance, when the employee calls the customer from their own device.

Customers having employees' personal numbers is a problem for everyone. Employees may leave the company and stop taking these calls. The customer may not know why.

With a VoIP phone system for businesses, you can avoid this problem. These services have mobile apps that employees can use. With mobile VoIP apps, employees can make and receive calls using a business number.

Create Limits on Saved Company Data

Remote working has exacerbated the security problem with BYOD. While BYOD meant mobile devices in the past, it now means computers. Remote workers often use their own PCs when working outside the office.

Regardless of the type of device, you should maintain control of your business data. It's a good idea to limit the types of data employees can store on personal devices. You should also ensure that backups are made of these devices.

Ask For Device Updates

If employees' devices are not updated or patched, they are an invitation to data misuse. Any endpoint device connected to your network can enable a security breach. This includes devices owned by employees.

It can be difficult to ensure that a device owned by an employee is kept up to date. That's why many organizations are turning to endpoint management solutions. An endpoint manager can enforce automatic updates. It also lets you protect business data without intruding on employee privacy.

The monitoring and management capabilities of these tools improve security. This includes the ability to add devices to a security list. This feature lets you lock down devices that have not been added to Endpoint Manager.

Include BYOD in Your Offboarding Process

When an employee leaves your company, you need to eliminate their digital footprint. Is the employee still receiving work emails on his phone? Does he have access to company data via permanent logins? Are there stored corporate passwords on the device?

These are all questions you should ask yourself when parting ways with a former employee. You should also make sure you copy and remove any corporate files on the employee's personal device. Also, make sure you log the employee's device(s) off your network.

We can help you explore endpoint security solutions

Let Us Help You Explore Endpoint Security Solutions

Onyx IT can help you identify solutions to secure a BYOD program. Onyx IT will investigate how your organization uses personal devices in your business and recommend the best tools. Contact Onyx IT today for a free consultation.

Article used with permission from The Technology Press.