BYOD Security Implications and How to Overcome Them
Bring your own Device (BYOD) is a common business model across the globe. One of the benefits of BYOD is that it increases employees’ productivity and allows for greater flexibility. According to Trilogy Technologies, despite the fact that this work arrangement is attractive, it results in a number of security results especially in stances when the personal devices are connected to the main databases or used to transfer sensitive corporate data.
Here are three main security challenges associated with BYOD and tips on how to overcome them.
Risk of Data Leakage
Due to the complex and control oriented nature of the IT world, having too many devices in the network and accessing sensitive company resources such as company servers and database increases the risk of unwarranted data leakage. As stated in an article posted on CCB Technologies, you can reduce the risk through encryption. This control measure will help ensure that all data transmitted from one personal device to another is encoded. The end recipient will only be able to access the data if they have the right decoding key.
Unsecure Networks
As mentioned earlier, personal devices allow employees to work more conveniently. Unfortunately, that same freedom leaves room for others to intercept the data especially if an employee uses unsecured Wi-Fi to access the database. According to the same article posted on CCB Technologies, 40% of mobile devices that are used at the work place are attacked by malware or other security threats within the first four months of use.
Advise all employees to use the secured company network or VPN whenever they are accessing the databases or servers. Go an extra mile and create a unique security profile for each end-user so that you can control the amount of resources that each employee has based on their level of clearance and position in the company.
Loss of Devices
One of the biggest fears for IT departments is an employee’s device that contains private company information getting stolen. Most of the security breaches occur when devices are stolen and land in the hands of an expert who can penetrate the network and siphon the targeted information. This challenge can be resolved through remote wiping capabilities. That is, the IT managers should install a chip on all devices that allows them to wipe the device’s data without requiring the user’s permission.
Indeed, BYOD can enhance productivity and growth of the company but the necessary security precautionary measures have to be put into consideration.
