3 Questions You Should Consider When Implementing a BYOD Policy

BYOD (bring your own device) refers to the practice of employees using their personal devices—such as smartphones, laptops, PCs, tablets, and other gear—on the job for the sake of convenience and comfort.

But there are downsides. Whenever someone accesses business data on a device that you don’t control, it opens windows of opportunity for cybercriminals.

Here are three questions you should consider when implementing a BYOD policy.

1. What happens if someone’s phone is lost or stolen?

What’s a pain for them could be a nightmare for you. Would you be able to encrypt your business’s data or delete it remotely? Would it be easy for a stranger to unlock the device and access the apps installed?

2. What happens if someone taps a bad link?

Lots of people read emails on their phones. If they tap on a bad link in a phishing email (a fake email that looks like it’s from a real company), is your business’s data safe? Despite what many people think, cybercriminals can hack phones in a similar way to your computer.

3. What happens when someone leaves?

Do you have a plan to block their ongoing access to your business’s apps and data? It’s the thing many business owners and managers forget when staff change.

If you haven’t already, create a cell phone security plan to go with your general IT security plan. Ensure everyone in your business knows what it is and what to do if they suspect anything is wrong.

BYOD is an excellent, if not inevitable, way to increase worker satisfaction and productivity and cut down on costs for businesses. But without carefully considered policies and security precautions in place, BYOD could become more of a nightmare than a dream for both the company and the employees.

If you need a hand, don’t forget that a trusted IT security partner (like us) can give you the right guidance. Contact Yeo & Yeo Technology today.