Although the bring your own device (BYOD) trend is convenient and desired by employees, it still contains a fair amount of security risks. That’s not to say you should abandon the BYOD ship; just that it’s important to understand the risks and how they can be avoided.

There are several threats that can be posed to BYOD, from malware to human error. On the virtual front, one must be careful of viruses, non-secure browsing, corrupt links and so on. At the same time, lost, stolen or hacked devices can also pose a threat, even when the devices are off. In a MaaSters blog post, Fiberlink explains that fear of loss of personal identity is a chief concern among business verticals where many important business records or data are tied to an employee identity.

However, despite these risks, the BYOD is a long-term trend. IT departments  have options to manage and control security concerns with a mobile device management policy.

In order to face BYOD and the risks it brings, it’s important to have a mobile policy in place so employees know what’s expected of them, and how they can protect their devices. It’s possible for IT departments to set a limit to the number of documents or user logins that can be accessed from mobile devices, thus minimizing the risk. They can also restrict the associated BYOD risks by setting alters after a set number of user attempts or by defining mobile policies that restrict the type of documents that can be accessed from a mobile device.

There are many programs and solutions available for controlling BYOD access. These can keep track of users and their devices, keep the business and personal data separate, and even remotely wipe or lock the devices if necessary. Centralized data is also a good option, as long as access is carefully managed.




Image via MaaSters Center

The mobile device management solution from Fiberlink, MaaS360, lets users embrace BYOD, secure e-mail, distribute apps, share content and other business enablers without ever sacrificing control. More than 90 percent of its customers chose MaaS360 for its ease of use and security and compliance features. The solution also helps face mobile app management, secure document sharing and mobile expense management.

No matter what your policy is, it’s important that there is one in place that the employees can follow. Whether or not BYOD is a frequent occurrence, there’s no doubting the value of a good policy. It can save important data from being lost or stolen, thus averting potential disaster.

There’s no doubt that BYOD is convenient for employees, saves money, and helps workers work from anywhere. But with all good things comes risk, and these risks must be addressed and dealt with. There are plenty of options, but it’s up to each company and employee to put them to use.

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