The pros and cons of a BYOD policy in the workplace

Only a few short years ago the idea of asking an employee to bring their own equipment to the workplace would have seemed ridiculous, but in these days where almost everyone owns a smartphone and has access to a laptop, an increasing number of companies are introducing Bring Your Own Device policies to the workplace. Although there are clear benefits for the companies and the employees who are doing so, there are also a number of pitfalls to watch out for.

Higher productivity

One of the main benefits of introducing a BYOD policy is that your employees are likely to see an increase in their level of job satisfaction. This is because they are able to use a device of their own personal choice, rather than being shackled with one that is being imposed on them by their employer.

This is especially apparent when an employee makes use of an Apple product in their personal but is required to use a Windows product at the office, or vice versa. Greater familiarity with an operating system in general and the specific device in particular will often provide a boost to the employee's productivity.

Another advantage is that employees can take advantage of the very latest technological developments without having to wait for such products to be implemented at the company across the board - a process which typically takes months and sometimes years to accomplish.

Security concerns

A key disadvantage of the policy is the risk that comes with having devices that have access to company systems being in the possession of employees while they are away from the office. If such machines and devices are lost or stolen, third-party individuals could easily use them to gain access to valuable business information.

Although all employees using BYOD devices should be encouraged to secure their machines with passwords or passcodes, they may quickly tire of having to enter such details every time they switch on and may, therefore, disable this facility, leaving the machines far more vulnerable.

Precautions

To protect both company and personal data, it is essential to ensure all such devices are backed up, either physically or more ideally through the cloud. Although some solutions will be available in-house, the proprietary technology and advanced equipment available through a firm such as Secure Backup means you are usually far better off making use of outside experts.

In the event of a potential security breach, most modern devices have the ability to be remotely erased, ensuring the data never falls into the wrong hands. However, such a procedure should only be carried out if the device has been backed up to ensure all the vital company information it contains remains accessible.

Convenience

In the earliest days of cellphone use, it was common for many employees to carry two devices - one for personal use and one for business use. Although this is still the case for some professions, few employees want to go to the trouble of carrying two devices around with them all the time.

The spread of the cloud means it is also now possible to access both work and personal email services and other software packages using a single device. The cost of providing a separate work phone to every member of your company was always high and, by letting them use their own devices, you can cut back on your costs and boost your profits in a single fell swoop.