Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

What Is a Bring Your Own Device Policy?

A bring your own device (BYOD) policy is when an organization decides to allow or require employees to use personal devices for work-related activities. BYOD policies range from enabling remote tools on personal mobile phones to requiring employees to provide their own laptop or computer.    

What Are Some Advantages of Bring Your Own Device?

• Increased productivity from employees as they spend less time learning a new tech ecosystem or switching between their work and personal tech setup

• Increased convenience for employees as they can work in waiting rooms or at home without carrying their work laptop

• Imp1roved reputation as a flexible and forward-thinking organization

• Mobile work capability to let employees work where they need to instead of being chained to their employer’s office

• Eliminating the need to carry separate mobile devices for work and personal use

• Reduced cost and time the organization spends keeping technology up to date

• Reduced cost in providing employees with devices, a benefit that increases the more broadly an organization implements the bring your own device policy

What Are Some Disadvantages of Bring Your Own Device?

• Increased complexity in providing and maintaining data security across different brands, types, and specifications of devices

• Loss of a personal device can lead to data leaks or breaches

• End-point attacks spreading malware from a personal device through the employer’s gateway

• The possibility of family members accessing unauthorized information when sharing tech

• Communication issues that arise when customers call the personal number of an employee who has left the organization, leading to lost or redirected business

• Increased strain on office wireless networks as employees use personal devices and work devices simultaneously

• Non-compliance penalties due to unsecure information (such as GDPR penalties for any breach of confidential information from the European Union)

What Are Some Variations on Bring Your Own Device?

Some organizations provide employees with mobile devices for work purposes but enable personal use. The organization can then legally wipe the data on the device at any time as a precaution against attacks or former employees refusing to return their device.