Get in touch with us today to find out how can we help you.
The Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) craze is not about to end anytime soon as new generation Houston IT companies are already preparing for the long term. The fact that the BYOD model frees up thousands of dollars to be spent elsewhere makes it attractive to a growing number of small and medium-sized businesses. Before deciding on a BYOD solution, be aware of the following considerations so that you understand the risks and limitations involved.
Security Costs
Even though your company will be saving plenty of money on hardware, you still have to establish a security plan that includes a BYOD policy. This plan requires purchasing a mobile device management (MDM) system that allows you to determine which mobile devices are allowed access to your network while all others are blocked. The software allows you to lock and wipe devices that get lost or stolen.
The only sensible way to implement a BYOD workplace is with a security solution, such as MDM software, which can be integrated with a virtual private network (VPN). The most proactive Houston IT companies will additionally give instructions to employees on avoiding suspicious emails, websites, and applications. Developing a multi-layered security plan is essential for the BYOD concept to work safely. This plan should include backup and data recovery procedures so that your company is prepared for any emergency.
Device Selection
On the surface, BYOD seems to convey freedom of choice for any device to workers, but the reality is that you need to establish parameters that limit the number of different types of acceptable devices. By keeping the types of devices and operating systems limited to a short list of possibilities, your network will be easier to manage. Part of your strategy should be to avoid old devices and software because older technology is the most vulnerable to a cyber attack.
Legal Concerns
Another concern to think about before diving into BYOD is that it will raise the level of legal risks. Even though MDM software can wipe lost or stolen devices, confidential data can still be compromised if action is not taken soon enough. Certain industries, such as healthcare and finance, must deal with strict regulations about protecting the privacy of individuals. A breach can result in heavy fines.
You must make sure you trust that your employees will not share sensitive data with others or be careless enough to misplace their own mobile devices. Any leak of confidential data can result in huge legal costs and possible reputation damage. Remember that many security breaches are a result of an employee error, such as clicking an attachment in a phishing email that unleashes malware. So if you really want to go with a BYOD solution, make sure that you’re confident about your security and staff.
The BYOD model is growing in popularity because of the flexibility it offers for employees to work at any time from any place. Today’s most up-to-date Houston IT companies make BYOD a helpful solution for small to medium-sized businesses. The key is to place a strong emphasis on security, particularly an MDM solution. Contact us now at ICS to learn more about how we can manage your network, whether you use BYOD or a traditional infrastructure.
Further reading
ICS is a Texas-based 40-year-old technology company specializing in Managed IT, VoIP, Video Conferencing and Video Surveillance solutions for US and International businesses. ICS has over 4000 regional installations and specializes in multi-site businesses between 25 and 2500 employees. ICS’s customers enjoy the experience of ICS’s Total Care program which provides clients flat fee services with obsolescence and growth protection. Whether a customer elects to deploy their IT, Video Conferencing or VoIP in the cloud or on the customer’s premise, ICS can provide a full turn-key solution for our clients under one flat monthly fee.