Bring your own device

BYOD is a corporate policy that empowers employees to be more mobile — to make the world an office. Put simply, BYOD encourages employees to use their personal devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops and wearables) to access enterprise data from anywhere. BYOD policies can range from free-for-all to restrictive:

1. Users are given unlimited access.
2. Access is granted for only non-sensitive systems and data.
3. IT is allowed control over some aspects of the personal device, such as apps and data.
4. A corporate persona (that is, a container) is used to restrict storage of data on the personal device.

Increased productivity: Allowing the use of personal devices empowers an employee to do their best work in and out of the office. Users are provided a level of comfort in accessing work data on a personal device, allowing those users to integrate work into their daily routine — wherever, whenever.

Employee satisfaction: 83 percent of users consider their mobile device more important than their morning cup of coffee. While an employee may not carry a work phone at all times, you can bet a smartphone is always within reach.

Cost reductions: BYOD programs can have the added benefit of saving budget by shifting costs to the user — no more bulk purchases of smartphones or tablets. Hardware costs can now be removed from the equation.

Plan: Determine who will get access, and on which devices. Figure out how to best allow access and understand what data should and should not be accessible. Not determining a policy invites risk — BYOD will happen, and it can end up being a free-for-all.

Secure and manage: 71 percent of CEOs and IT managers say that security is their most significant mobile enterprise challenge. A fully-baked UEM solution like MaaS360 can not only secure apps and data on a personal device but provide analytics and threat detection to make sure no employee is bringing a risky or compromised device into your environment.

Communicate your BYOD policy: 39 percent of organizations have already had a data breach due to a stolen personal device. Communicate the risks, best practices, and what employees can and cannot access. Make rules and consequences clear — BYOD is a privilege after all.

Support: Users are familiar with their personal devices, but with BYOD comes confusion around app and data access. A strong rollout strategy and well-supported UEM solution — like MaaS360 — can alleviate user and admin concerns around adoption difficulties.