Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is being hailed by many as a revolutionary move and condemned by others as a massive security risk.
By allowing a worker to use their own devices, they have the option of working remotely, being reachable at the drop of a hat or working faster by improving their own computer or using more current technology. They also have the option of leaking private details of your business or getting hacked to the same effect.
Security
Right now, workers don’t typically go out of their way to research security issues or the safest way to use their personal devices. They just want to use the most effective apps possible to make their jobs a bit easier.
But, this can be dangerous for companies, especially those in regulated industries. For instance, if an employee leaves the company with data still saved on his/her personal device, or has that device stolen, sensitive data may be compromised.
By allowing an employee to use an unregistered, uncontrolled device, you are allowing them a lot of freedom, potentially too much for some employees.
Loss of control
There’s no definitive way to get onto a [departing] employee’s personal devices and undo what’s been done, and if your workers have been using off-the-shelf solutions like Dropbox, it’s virtually impossible with some sort of exit interview.
If your employee decides to put sensitive information on a device or cloud you don’t know about, you can’t control that data. Devices and clouds can be hacked, compounding the problem.
Mobile data is a big problem, so it’s time to start compartmentalizing risks. This way, you can find a balance between the benefits of a [BYOD] workforce and the risks
The Cloud
the 2013 Data Protection Trends Research found that 67 percent of employers haven’t established policies around third-party cloud storage options.
Employees use unsecured technology like Dropbox or Google Docs to quickly and easily share information. The problem is, these can be hacked, and have been hacked before. Look at the disastrous Sony hack. By providing their own alternatives to services like Dropbox, companies will be better able to control their data.
WinMagic – Your Trusted Source for Data Encryption Solutions
Are you looking for ways to safeguard your company’s most valuable asset? Contact WinMagic today at 1-888-879-5879. WinMagic has been helping customers secure data through encryption since 1997.
Our products have won several awards, and we have five million clients in over 80 countries. Find out how our data encryption solutions can work for you and your business by speaking with a customer service representative.
