How to introduce a BYOAD solution?
As more and more organizations support employees working from home while maintaining flexible schedules, “Bring your own approved device” (BYOAD) solutions have become more prevalent. The approach refers to the trend of permitting employees to use personal devices while connecting to their organizational networks and accessing work-related systems and potentially sensitive or confidential data. While there are risks to security, if implemented correctly, the advantages of BYOAD can help boost the organization’s productivity, performance, and profitability.
The BYOD concept is not new, it was first introduced in 2009. The solution received attention after the exploding popularity of tablets and smartphones collided with the lower costs of laptop computers.
According to the Global Market Insights’ research, the global BYOD market will exceed $366.95 billion by 2022, up from just $94 billion in 2014.
Why consider BYOD?
Based on the study by BT Global Services, 42 percent of employees who use their own devices notice that their productivity and efficiency have improved. In addition, BYOAD is a powerful instrument for providing employees with workplace flexibility. Those who can decide on the tools they use and where they use them tend to have a greater work-life balance. This modernized environment results in increased loyalty and employee engagement.
Apart from furnished flexible working for staff and bolstered motivation, the BYOAD approach has a direct impact on the organization’s financial indicators as well. Organizations do not need to buy devices for each of their employees, they reduce expenses in four areas: hardware, telecommunications, support, and training.
According to a study done by Cisco, companies save an estimated $3,150 per employee per year with BYOD.
This amount derives from on device costs, data plans, and $1,518 per employee per year in associated time savings.
What are the risks of BYOAD?
BYOAD is a win-win concept, but there are important considerations to be made before deciding whether it is a workable solution, for both the employee and the employer.
Security is one example; there are undeniable risks in permitting employees’ access to corporate resources from personal devices. Dangers posed by malicious applications and viruses, cyber-attacks, risks of devices’ loss may discourage organizations from implementing BYOAD. To prevent these concerns, companies introduce corporate policies, modify IT infrastructure that outlines contingency plans for reducing risk and reacting to security breaches.
When considering data protection risks, companies may pay less attention to the users’ privacy issues. However, protection of the organization's data and keeping user privacy must be given equal consideration. Loss of trust and feelings of insecurity prevent organizations from receiving all advantages of BYOAD.
How to keep the benefits of BYOAD without security risks?
Avid Systems, the US-based technology company, introduced the solution that provides companies with a cost-effective and value-driven mobile solution that can process an organization’s data, as well as secure the user’s privacy rights.
After installing the application, users can telework across different locations and can access information from anywhere and at any time. They can use the full range of tools as part of the Office 365 environment and can continue to sign emails and documents digitally.
The central idea of this solution development was the application-centric approach. It ensures that personal information is not visible to the employers while protecting the companies’ data from the device level vulnerabilities such as threats — zero-day attacks, threats such as jailbreaking, phishing attacks, and others.
