That last part is driving one of the hottest trends in business information technology: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). More and more, employees are being encouraged to use their own electronics (smartphones, portable computers, netbooks, tablets, etc.) for work.
When looked at objectively, it can make a lot of sense. Employers can save money on hardware, voice and data services. And for the employees, BYOD lets them maintain full access to their electronic lives while they’re at work.
While companies benefit by allowing employees to connect/work at home, the real challenge is to manage the security of company data in a device over which they have limited control. According to some reports, over half of Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)currently have a comprehensive device management policy in place to help them exert some control over their data networks.
Of course, this means nearly half of all companies have no rules and regs for BYOD, which can make critical and sensitive information vulnerable. Business owners and IT managers either interested in BYOD or already actively encouraging it should decide on their approach. If you’re not sure where your employer stands, it’s probably worth checking with your IT team, especially if you’re already working a lot on your own device. You may be making yourself legally liable if something goes wrong, or could expose you employer to data theft risk.
If you are an employer considering setting up a BYOD system, here are some basic tips:
At Geek Squad, we believe in BYOD, and we pride ourselves on being completely up-to-date on the latest whys, ways and wherefores. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to help you get up and running.
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