Bring-Your-Own-Device Takes Off in the Workplace, But What Are the Risks?

August 29th, 2012

Are you able to access your computer network at work with your iPad? What about your iPhone or laptop computer? This trend, known as bring-your-own-device or BYOD, is on the rise in the workplace. It makes sense: when companies encourage their employees to bring their own devices to the office, these same companies don’t have to spend as much on desktop computers and other high-end equipment.

The move also makes sense for workers. Employees will be more familiar with their own devices. And if their bring their own device and tablets to work, they can more easily transport their files, email messages and important documents back and forth from home to work.

The Risks of BYOD

But the BYOD movement does come with risks. The IT industry is becoming more concerned with about the risks of letting employees use their own devices to access workplace networks. The greater the number of outside devices hooking into a network, the greater the risk that a network will fall victim to some sort of malware attack. After all, not all employees take proper steps to protect their computer devices, especially when it comes to increasingly popular tablets.

Company Information at Risk

At the same time, when employees load sensitive workplace data onto mobile devices, companies face an entirely new set of concerns. What if their employees lose their mobile device? There’s no guarantee that sensitive information won’t fall into the wrong hands. Companies need to properly educate their staff on how ot use mobile devices as safely as possible.

The BYOD Trend

BYOD is a trend that is not going to fade away. Mobile devices are critical work tools for a growing number of employees. Contact us if have questions on how your company should address the bring-your-own-device trend.