As smartphones and tablets have become pervasive in our personal and professional lives, many business owners are evaluating a “bring your own device” (BYOD) policy, which allows employees to bring personally owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets and smartphones) to work. Employees can then use these devices to access company information.
BYOD does have some tangible and important benefits. Using personal devices reduces company expenditure on device purchases, training and replacement and services fees, and personal devices are likely to be upgraded more frequently than company devices. Employees who purchase their own device also generally feel a greater sense of responsibility for the care of the device. Plus, it’s easier for employees to carry a single phone rather than a personal phone and a company phone. Using just one device has shown to improve collaboration and connectivity within the organization.
While there are certainly advantages to a BYOD model, there are also some potential risks and hidden costs to consider. Cost savings from BYOD are sometimes more than offset by new support costs and security software tools. Security on personal devices is also managed in a consistent, centralized fashion, which can expose the devices to security breaches.
If you’re considering implementing a BYOD program at your workplace, take some time to consider the realities of a BYOD policy at your workplace and read up on some recommendations for creating a successful program.
This article was originally published by the Cincinnati Business Courier