The HR Dictionary

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

BYOD (bring your own device) is a policy that allows employees in an organization to use their personally owned devices for work-related activities. Those activities include tasks such as accessing emails, connecting to the corporate network, and accessing corporate apps and data. With nearly 75% of employees currently utilizing their own equipment at work in high-growth economies like Brazil and Russia and 44% in established markets, BYOD is making big strides in the business world. According to surveys, companies are unable to prevent workers from using personal devices at work. Benefits are a hot topic in research. According to a survey, 95% of workers claim to use at least one personal device for work. 

IT departments need to decide whether and how to secure personal devices and set access permissions. Most importantly, a clear BYOD security policy should inform and instruct staff on how to use BYOD without jeopardizing networks or organizational data. 

Creating a BYOD Policy 

The following are crucial components of BYOD policies:

  1. Authorized device types
  2. Policies for data ownership and security
  3. IT support levels provided for personal devices (if any)

 

It is important to combine a strict BYOD security strategy with permissible use guidelines and general IT security. IT managers must strike a compromise between corporate security and employees' personal privacy when deciding the level of assistance that will be given to personal devices.