BBB Technology and Computers Connection Group Presented by: Cary M. Root Root-InfoTech.com

 Bring your own device  Also referred to as:  Bring your own technology (BYOT)  Bring your own phone (BYOP)  Bring your own PC (BYOPC)  Terms that are frequently used to describe the policy of permitting employees to bring personally owned mobile devices (laptops, tablets, and smart phones) to their place of work  And use those devices to access privileged company information and applications

BusinessEmployees ProsA business that adopts a BYOD policy allows itself to save money on high-priced devices that it would normally be required to purchase for its employees. Employees may take better care of devices that they view as their own property. Companies can take advantage of newer technology faster. Employees who work for a business with a BYOD policy are able to decide on the technology that they wish to use for work rather than being assigned a company device. This is thought to improve morale and productivity. Exclusive control of features is given to the employee. ConsCompany information will often not be as secure as it would be on a device exclusively controlled by the company. (Security professionals have termed it 'Bring Your Own Danger' and 'Bring Your Own Disaster') The company may have to pay for employee devices' phone service, which they use outside company time. Due to security issues, the employees often do not have true full control over their devices, as the company they work for would need to ensure that proprietary and private information is secure at all times. It is an out-of-pocket expense for the employees. They would be responsible for repairs if their devices were damaged or broken at work. Businesses that fall under compliancy rules such as PCI or HIPAA must still comply when using BYOD.

A message for IT pros about BYOD: Resistance is futile!

#1  Staff May Not Be Onboard  One thing that every BYOD advocate assumes is that all employees are digitally or tech minded.  The reality is that some employees may actually prefer archaic technology.  On top of that, they might even believe that older tech is more efficient.  They also might not be excited about having to buy their own laptop or tablet PC. This is where many BYOD policies come up short.

#2  It May Not Cut Costs Significantly  This is a hotly debated component of BYOD implementation  Some people say that BYOD cuts costs by shifting buying power to employees  Other people believe that BYOD policies completely overlook the financial strain such a program would put on the IT department

#3  It Can Complicate Things for the IT Department  Outside of the financial strain BYOD may or may not put on an IT department, there is the obvious concern of logistical problems that may arise  Some companies require their employees to handle all IT logistics  7 out of 10 companies surveyed would still provide ongoing support for employee-purchased mobile devices

#4  Could Lead to Employee Feuds  This seems silly, but implementing a BYOD policy may induce employee feuding  As more affluent employees purchase top-of-the-line laptops, tablets and smartphones, other employees may become jealous of their productivity and flashy new gadgets

#5  Concerns Over Intellectual Property  The most pressing concern for businesses may be the security of intellectual property  When someone leaves the company, there is no way to guarantee that trade secrets and confidential company information will not be stolen  Companies would need to invest in remote wipe services to protect their IP

#6  Puts Tech Purchasing Power in the Hands of Employees  One of the greatest defenses of the BYOD revolution is that it cuts costs by shifting buying power from the company to the employee  It allows company employees to buy and use the devices they love, and it doesn’t cost the company a dime in purchasing costs

#7  Allows for High Levels of Flexibility  Many companies have stringent rules relating to employee use of computing devices  In many cases, employees are not allowed to take mobile devices out of the work facility

#8  Potential Data Retention Problems  In addition to security risks, unmonitored mobile devices pose the threat of data loss  Protecting against this involves increasing IT support to ensure high levels of data retention throughout the IT infrastructure

#9  Serves as a Great Teaching Tool  New mobile tech has done wonders for interactive learning at all levels  Employee-owned tablet PCs and laptops can be used to give presentations from anywhere in the office

#10  High Levels of Worker Satisfaction  Employees who use their own devices often experience more satisfaction with their work  They can feel comfortable in delivering high-caliber work with their own computing tools

#11  Data is Discoverable  Everything an employee does on her personal iPhone, for example, could be used as evidence in a lawsuit against her employer  Employees who assume they have a right to privacy -- it's "my" device, after all -- might likewise be in for a shock  The personal devices they use at work could be examined not only by their employer but by the other party in the lawsuit

#12  Discovery Can Be Expensive  If employees are using not just one but two or more personal devices for work, you're potentially adding a multiplier to your legal costs in a lawsuit  That's because all of those devices might have to be turned over for discovery  In fact, there doesn't even need to be a lawsuit to incur such costs -- just the threat of one and a requirement for litigation hold

BBB Technology and Computers Connection Group