When you read the acronym BYO you would be forgiven for your mind jumping to the old mantra ‘bring your own booze’. However, in the tech age, the new BYO policy sweeping the workplace is actually BYOD – ‘bring your own device’! The idea of being allowed to bring and utilise your own personal tech device in the workplace - be it a smart-phone, tablet or laptop - is appealing to many workers, not least those in technology and IT sectors. In addition, more flexible working conditions and the increase of staff working remotely has lead to a rise in the use of personal technology to conduct business.
That being said, the catch with BYOD is that many employees enact this policy without their employer’s knowledge. This obliviousness on behalf of the employer can be dangerous for an organisation’s data security, especially if workers are using personal devices to connect to a company network in an unregulated way. All the more reason therefore to have a formal BYOD policy in place.
So, here at the HR Department, we thought we would highlight 3 important things for employers to think about when it comes to implementing a BYOD policy:
1. Make Sure the Policy is Crystal Clear
When considering going forward with a BYOD policy in the workplace, it is essential to have a well-defined, easily understood policy for all employees. It’s also vital to make sure all new hires are aware of the system in place. Here are a number of points which must be highlighted in any BYOD policy:
- How company data is secured from departing employee devices
- How company data is stored and what access control measures will be in place
- How working time may change with any flexible working arrangements
- How a breach of BYOD rules will be disciplined
- How to opt-out of a BYOD policy
2. Beware of the Potential Costs
A BYOD policy can undoubtedly lead to greater workplace productivity - workers often feel more empowered and motivated when using their own devices. BYOD also has the potential to reduce company costs as it leads to reduced spending on hardware, software and device maintenance. Of course, companies don’t have to fork out to provide devices for their employees either. Despite this, it may in fact be costly for a company to ensure that a wide variety of personal devices are supported and integrated on a company’s network. Employers should make sure they weigh up the costs before implementing any policy.
Finances aside, there could be another cost to a BYOD policy: data security. Ensuring there are measures in place if an employee’s device is lost or stolen is of paramount importance. It is also crucial that employees know exactly what procedure to follow should this happen in order to protect company data.
3. Stay Ahead of the Curve
To say that things are constantly changing in the tech world is an understatement. The rate at which hackers are finding new ways of accessing sensitive data is alarming. It is therefore essential to constantly update a company BYOD policy to minimise any possible data loss or leak of secure company information. Keeping on top of your BYOD policy should be an on-going process which adapts to technological advances and prioritizes data security.
As it becomes increasingly difficult for employers to retain talent in the workplace it is more and more essential to harness a good company culture. Undoubtedly a clear BYOD policy plays a key role here. An effective policy can lead to happier, more productive staff who are more likely to stick around.
That being said BYOD may not suit every business and some employees may prefer to keep their personal and work devices separate. Employers should assess if their company, or indeed certain departments within their business, would benefit from BYOD and implement the policy as they see fit. Either way, it’s better for a company to be well versed in all aspects of BYOD than face the complications that arise from a lack of understanding in this area.
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That being said, the catch with BYOD is that many employees enact this policy without their employer’s knowledge. This obliviousness on behalf of the employer can be dangerous for an organisation’s data security, especially if workers are using personal devices to connect to a company network in an unregulated way. All the more reason therefore to have a formal BYOD policy in place.
So, here at the HR Department, we thought we would highlight 3 important things for employers to think about when it comes to implementing a BYOD policy:
1. Make Sure the Policy is Crystal Clear
When considering going forward with a BYOD policy in the workplace, it is essential to have a well-defined, easily understood policy for all employees. It’s also vital to make sure all new hires are aware of the system in place. Here are a number of points which must be highlighted in any BYOD policy:
- How company data is secured from departing employee devices
- How company data is stored and what access control measures will be in place
- How working time may change with any flexible working arrangements
- How a breach of BYOD rules will be disciplined
- How to opt-out of a BYOD policy
2. Beware of the Potential Costs
A BYOD policy can undoubtedly lead to greater workplace productivity - workers often feel more empowered and motivated when using their own devices. BYOD also has the potential to reduce company costs as it leads to reduced spending on hardware, software and device maintenance. Of course, companies don’t have to fork out to provide devices for their employees either. Despite this, it may in fact be costly for a company to ensure that a wide variety of personal devices are supported and integrated on a company’s network. Employers should make sure they weigh up the costs before implementing any policy.
Finances aside, there could be another cost to a BYOD policy: data security. Ensuring there are measures in place if an employee’s device is lost or stolen is of paramount importance. It is also crucial that employees know exactly what procedure to follow should this happen in order to protect company data.
3. Stay Ahead of the Curve
To say that things are constantly changing in the tech world is an understatement. The rate at which hackers are finding new ways of accessing sensitive data is alarming. It is therefore essential to constantly update a company BYOD policy to minimise any possible data loss or leak of secure company information. Keeping on top of your BYOD policy should be an on-going process which adapts to technological advances and prioritizes data security.
As it becomes increasingly difficult for employers to retain talent in the workplace it is more and more essential to harness a good company culture. Undoubtedly a clear BYOD policy plays a key role here. An effective policy can lead to happier, more productive staff who are more likely to stick around.
That being said BYOD may not suit every business and some employees may prefer to keep their personal and work devices separate. Employers should assess if their company, or indeed certain departments within their business, would benefit from BYOD and implement the policy as they see fit. Either way, it’s better for a company to be well versed in all aspects of BYOD than face the complications that arise from a lack of understanding in this area.
For more helpful HR tips and advice, CLICK HERE to sign up to our newsletter.
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