The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) paradigm has rapidly moved from novelty to near inevitability. Although BYOD may be a convenience to your employees, you need to think about its impact on corporate security models.
BYOD encompasses more than personal computers. It means employees using smartphones, tablets, BlackBerrys, ultralight books and more for their work. The concept of BYOD broadens to include software and services, as employees use cloud services and other tools on the web.
It’s risky to assume that prohibiting personal devices solves the problem, because employees end up using their own devices anyway, unmonitored and undeterred by your security policies.
Whatever you think of BYOD and however you choose to implement it, IT managers should treat it the same way as any introduction of new technology: with a controlled and predictable deployment.
Ask yourself:
1. Who owns the device?
That’s a question that has changed over time. In the past, the company owned the devices. With BYOD the devices are owned by the user.
2. Who manages the device?
Previously this was an easy question to answer. Today it could be either the company or the end user.
3. Who secures the device?
Accountability is not something that goes away for a user just because they personally own the device. After all, the data carried on it is company owned.
Minerva are on hand to guide you through the ever-changing options and ensure you not only meet your legal obligations but that you do so in the most cost effective way.
Businesses are frequently faced with a plethora of license options for their software and choosing the most suitable and cost effective licensing plan can often be a difficult process.
The first and best defence in securing BYODs begins with the same requirements you apply to devices that are already on your network. These security measures include:
Sophos Mobile Control allows your organisation to have total security and centralised control of devices, alleviating any weaknesses within the organisation.
Manage Device
Secure Device
Protect Data
If you have any concerns over BYOD security or want to check that your organisation is handling it in the correct manner feel free to call one of the Minerva team and we can discuss your options with you free of charge.