Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) is fast becoming a jargon like ‘Big Data’ but unlike the ambiguity the latter carries, it is what is says. Quite simply put it’s a business strategy where employees get to bring and use their own laptops, smartphones or tablets to access company emails, applications and data.
The advantages of such a move for any organisation are in most cases undisputed. Increased productivity, greater employee engagement, employee satisfaction and significant cost savings for companies are merely the tip of the iceberg. Yet there is hesitation and often complete refusal to adopt BYOD. Broadly speaking there are three main reasons for that.
1. Complexity
The very notion of letting employees use their own devices to freely access company network and data without the ability to control their access can be very daunting. It will effect standard company policies, employee contracts and the overall company culture.
Solution
We recommend start by establishing a BYOD policy. Every department must be involved and it should encompass acceptable use, devices and support, risks and liabilities, security and responsibility. The policy must include a provision for managing change with an ongoing review system. Feel free to download our BYOD Policy Development Checklist.
2. Security
This is often the one sole reason for organisations to completely shun the idea of BYOD. Which is more than justified in some specific industries more than others. IT departments already have a tough time trying to protect their networks and data when every aspect of that network is controlled by them. The idea or having employees freely access these networks from unmonitored devices can potentially pose a serious threat.
Solution
Mobile Device Management (MDM) are low cost software solutions that can be deployed rapidly to manage, monitor, secure and support a wide range of mobile devices operating on networks of virtually any service provider. They containerise organisational data on any device thereby making the process of adding and removing devices from the network simple and secure. Blackberry’s BES10 and IBM’s MaaS360 are among the well acclaimed MDM solutions.
3. Cost
Cost of doing business is not always monetary. Introduction of new solutions and strategies almost always have some level of initial disruption of productivity which is often more expensive and hence harder to justify. With limited resources cost is always biggest deterrent.
Solution
There is no simple and straightforward solution to this. Every company is unique and needs to evaluate its position accordingly. We do, however, recommend triggering the process by initiating the BYOD policy formation. It will not just help build the scope of the project but also highlight its viability.
And finally, staggering the deployment is highly recommended. It would not only help alleviate the concerns but small doses of trial and error are often the foundations upon which robust polices are built.
The advantages of such a move for any organisation are in most cases undisputed. Increased productivity, greater employee engagement, employee satisfaction and significant cost savings for companies are merely the tip of the iceberg. Yet there is hesitation and often complete refusal to adopt BYOD. Broadly speaking there are three main reasons for that.
1. Complexity
The very notion of letting employees use their own devices to freely access company network and data without the ability to control their access can be very daunting. It will effect standard company policies, employee contracts and the overall company culture.
Solution
We recommend start by establishing a BYOD policy. Every department must be involved and it should encompass acceptable use, devices and support, risks and liabilities, security and responsibility. The policy must include a provision for managing change with an ongoing review system. Feel free to download our BYOD Policy Development Checklist.
2. Security
This is often the one sole reason for organisations to completely shun the idea of BYOD. Which is more than justified in some specific industries more than others. IT departments already have a tough time trying to protect their networks and data when every aspect of that network is controlled by them. The idea or having employees freely access these networks from unmonitored devices can potentially pose a serious threat.
Solution
Mobile Device Management (MDM) are low cost software solutions that can be deployed rapidly to manage, monitor, secure and support a wide range of mobile devices operating on networks of virtually any service provider. They containerise organisational data on any device thereby making the process of adding and removing devices from the network simple and secure. Blackberry’s BES10 and IBM’s MaaS360 are among the well acclaimed MDM solutions.
3. Cost
Cost of doing business is not always monetary. Introduction of new solutions and strategies almost always have some level of initial disruption of productivity which is often more expensive and hence harder to justify. With limited resources cost is always biggest deterrent.
Solution
There is no simple and straightforward solution to this. Every company is unique and needs to evaluate its position accordingly. We do, however, recommend triggering the process by initiating the BYOD policy formation. It will not just help build the scope of the project but also highlight its viability.
And finally, staggering the deployment is highly recommended. It would not only help alleviate the concerns but small doses of trial and error are often the foundations upon which robust polices are built.