We’ve heard plenty about the benefits of BYOD, but not quite as much on the best ways to minimise the various pitfalls that it presents. Security is by far the most obvious concern for most businesses, so how do you keep defence high and risk low? The following tips are certainly a good place to begin.
Manage effectively
Mobile device management (MDM) should come before everything where BYOD is concerned. It’s clear that the trend is here to stay, whether you planned it or not – so accounting for it and embracing the change is the best way to move forward. Proper MDM can either be free, or it can require significant investment; the choice will depend on the business’s individual needs. Each solution will require policies, however.
Some will come with their own set while others benefit from personalised input – just be sure to decide what you want to achieve before drafting yours.
Involve users
Implementing policies and rules can help massively, but only if staff know the reasons for them. Make sure the workforce can relate to your drive for maximum security. Emphasise the potential consequences of ignoring the threats posed by hackers. When they know that six out of ten businesses that fall victim to major data loss go to the wall within six months of the incident, and their jobs may well be at risk as a result, they’re more likely to be cooperative.
Be prepared for everything
The whole idea of maximising security is to prevent breaches, but they do still happen. Make sure you’re prepared for every eventuality. If devices go missing – and they will – the next steps must be obvious. The guidelines should be standardised and easily accessible for everyone involved too; if an employee loses their smartphone while out and on the go, they should know what to do next without having to ask the CIO, who is likely to be back at base. Thankfully, it’s possible to wipe and lock devices remotely, but only if you know how.
