People around the world are becoming more and more attached to their smartphones. Our dependence on these devices has become so extreme that the biggest names in mobile are introducing features to help us curb our smartphone addiction. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that more and more companies are embracing bring-your-own-device policies.
Acknowledging that people are more comfortable, and productive, using devices of their choice, companies have to accept that employees are bringing their personal devices in to work. But this trend is not without its risks. With all of these different devices being allowed to join corporate networks and resources, businesses need to up their game when it comes to security.
This is where choose-your-own-device (CYOD) offers a possible solution. Similar to BYOD, this mobile cost management strategy gives a business more control regarding the devices that employees use to handle company data, while still giving employees an element of personal choice. As you may have guessed, with CYOD, employees can choose from a list of devices that have been approved for business usage. Usually, the business will provide the devices and keep them should the employee leave or resign.
Why would this approach be preferable?
Well, because it makes life a whole lot easier for your IT team. According to Ovum analyst Richard Absalom, limiting the number of devices “makes it easier to find a solution that can secure and manage the corporate data on those devices. Businesses can let employees choose from devices that they are sure can be managed and secured to the required extent”.
By adopting CYOD, businesses can restrict access to certain apps and information, limit the use of certain features and functionality and can install virus scanners to ensure that corporate networks, and the information stored on these devices, is secure. This makes CYOD an especially appealing option for organisations that deal with sensitive information.
As is the case with any policy, there are a few downsides. CYOD is only viable if your IT team dedicates time and resources to keeping their list up-to-date, which analysts agree may be a struggle. “If iPhones or iPads are provisioned, what happens every year when a new version is released? It becomes too costly to always provide the latest and greatest gadget, and there are always going to be early adopters who want to use their new toys at work,” notes Absalom.
So, which option is the best?
In the end, there is no right or wrong answer. There is only a solution that is the right fit for your unique business needs and requirements. If you’d like some advice about choosing the right strategy for your business, we’re here to help. Complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
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