Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a popular policy where employees use personal devices for work. This typically means using personal smartphones or laptops to access company systems and data. While convenient, BYOD introduces cybersecurity risks that organisations must address. Failure to secure personal devices puts sensitive company information at risk.
When employees access internal systems on insecure devices outside the corporate network, businesses lose control of that data. Without proper BYOD policies and controls, unauthorised users could access sensitive information if a device is lost, stolen or compromised by malware.
To balance productivity and security, companies implementing BYOD should enforce policies and safeguards like:
1. Mandatory passcodes to access devices
2. Restrictions on using unsecured public Wi-Fi
3. Remote wipe capabilities for lost or stolen devices
4. Ensuring antivirus/anti-malware software is installed
5. Unique user logins to access systems
6. Secure data deletion when replacing or recycling devices
7. Employee cybersecurity training
8. Regular security, system and software updates
9. Maintaining an inventory of approved employee devices
Threats persist when transmitting data over untrusted networks, when data is stored on vulnerable personal devices, and when employees download risky apps or fall for phishing scams. Still, with robust BYOD policies and user education, organisations allow employees flexibility without compromising critical information security.
For help developing your company’s Bring Your Own Device policy, contact our experts. We provide customised solutions balancing productivity, flexibility and security for your mobile workforce.