Tips for Developing a BYOD Policy

Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices continue to make their way into the modern workplace. Employees regularly bring their own mobile devices to the office and access company resources. This approach can be a boon for businesses, lowering company costs while improving efficiency and morale. However, security concerns arise with this method. This is why a BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device policy, needs to be in place at your Bloomington business. BYOD refers to the policy of permitting employees to bring personally owned devices to the workplace to access company information.

The implementation of a BYOD policy is vital in order to protect your company’s sensitive data when employees access your network on their personal devices. The tips below will help you develop a solid BYOD policy that will help keep your network secure.

Decide what devices are permitted

Odds are, your employees own a mobile device. In fact, half of the American public owns a tablet and 77% own a smartphone. Androids and iPhones bring with them different sets of security concerns. An initial step in creating your BYOD policy is to decide which types of devices you will allow on the network—and which ones you don’t want.

Establish strict security policies for all devices

Passwords and lock screens are often underutilized on personal devices, as these security features are viewed as inconveniences. However, if employees choose to use their personal devices at work, they must be password protected to ensure your business’s data security. Your BYOD policy should emphasize that users employ strong and lengthy passwords rather than simple four-digit PIN numbers that can easily be cracked by hackers. If these devices fall into the wrong hands, a strong password will keep your data safe.

Beyond passwords, consider other security policies that must be implemented. Users must maintain current applications and software and back up their devices regularly to ensure security patches are up-to-date and decrease device vulnerability. Another crucial security step is to make certain that employee devices can be wiped remotely to protect business data in the event their smartphone or tablet is stolen.

Create a formal BYOD document

Make sure you outline your BYOD policy on a formal document. This should explain all of the boundaries under your policy, including apps that are allows and blocked, the specific devices allowed on the network, the type of IT support that will be provided, and best practices for security. Be as specific as possible when it comes to your policy. Ensure that all employees review and sign the finished document.

Make a plan to secure your network

As you develop your BYOD policy, don’t forget to tighten up the security of your network wherever possible. With employees regularly accessing your network, you need to have the right IT professionals on hand to remove any weaknesses in your network.

Educate your employees

Even with a strong BYOD policy in place, you still need to raise employee awareness on the importance of the policy, along with other cybersecurity policies. Keep your employees informed on best practices — such as the many phishing schemes that are now prevalent.

With the right BYOD policy in place, this method can be incredibly beneficial to your organization and its employees. You can save a significant amount on device costs while your employees benefit from the convenience of using their own devices to carry out their job responsibilities. For more information on how to develop the most effective BYOD policy here in Bloomington, contact us today.