BYOD (Bring Your Own Devices) is now a policy according to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Many companies are gradually adapting to this practice. BYOD is the perfect example of the next generation enterprise mobility model. The state of BYOD adoption cannot be called to be nascent, rather there are quick and remarkable developments seen in the mature as well as high-growth markets. While in the Middle-East, the trend of BYOD is spreading very fast, enterprises all over the world are preparing to deal with the various threats that BYOD may inherently possesses with it. The nature and potential magnitude of these threats is such that companies are even considering the adoption of technological solutions long deemed controversial, namely monitoring software for computers and spy app for mobile devices. The inclination towards the use of such digital solutions is hardly surprisingly as they offer quite a bit of relief to the management by letting them supervise employees’ use of digital privileges. This of course includes everything from monitoring their online activities to their communications and even location.

Let us have a glance at the most significant security threats BYOD or bring your own device is associated with.

Data Breach:

There is more than one instance of data breaches involved with BYOD. In the case an employee loses the smartphone or the mobile device, which has access to the enterprise network, untrusted sources can pilfer all the data on that device or they may sell critical company information to the competitors.

Another case can occur when an employee leaves the organization; he takes the device with him along with all the company data and software applications.

Ownership of Company Information and Accessibility:

This is a seriously critical threat for organizations while separating from their sales and direct customers-facing employees. The employees will certainly take the phone connection with them, which indicates that when the customers are interacting with such an employee, they are actually dealing with a competitor’s employee.

Well, every technology is challenged with pros and cons. While companies cannot literally have control over the employee’s device, they can certainly have other aspects to focus on; the software applications, the data, and importantly the users. Now it is time to get some tips on securing your business from potential risks.

Emphasize on Network Security:

It is more about being vigilant. Have a tough check on who is using your network and with whom. Also studying the behavioral pattern of the users helps in identifying any such causality, well before they occur. The most important determinants of network security threat occur when;

• There is over utilization of network resources.
• Network configuration is altered frequently
• Attempts are made to intrude to unauthorized network areas

More Secured Apps:

BYOD enterprises need to implement strong apps monitoring and scanning technology for all the software applications the employees are installing and using in their mobile devices. The apps environment varies in nature, including personal apps and third-party apps. It may be great to create your own pool of apps for the users to fetch them from there.

Users Do Matter:

It is ultimately the user who is at the center of the entire BYOD ecosystem. While organizations must allow their employees the freedom of BYOD, at the same time they must also clearly make them understand their rights and responsibility in a BYOD environment.

BYOD is the future; enterprises only need to enable, entrust, ensure, and engage in the best security practices…