Is a Bring Your Own Device Policy a Good Cost Saver or a Legal Nightmare?

Just about everyone has a smartphone, and no one wants to give it up.

Adding a second work smartphone seems a bit silly. Heck, even Hillary Clinton didn’t want to carry two phones around.

So, why not have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy? It saves you money, you don’t have to buy the phones or computers or whatever, and it makes your employees’ lives easier. You can also use a BYOD policy for computers and several companies do.

However, I’m going to warn you against this. Here’s why.

What About Your Data?

You’re not running some cool espionage company, you just make widgets or whatever, so you may not think your data is all that important. But it is. Your sales data, manufacturing data, and info about your cool marketing plans for 2017.

To keep reading, click here: Is a Bring Your Own Device Policy a Good Cost Saver or a Legal Nightmare?

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8 thoughts on “Is a Bring Your Own Device Policy a Good Cost Saver or a Legal Nightmare?

  1. You are so right that people get really mad when you wipe their personal device. It might be a pain, but I would rather keep two phones and deal with the hassle, than worry what can be lost in a moment…

  2. Another BYOD issue-> Your IT Department is suddenly responsible for fixing every issue on personal devises and training employees on how to use them.
    “I just bought this new UltaCool Smartphone and I can’t figure out how to download my pictures. Can you stop updating the intranet security and show me how to use this obscure phone that you have never heard of?” Ugh.

  3. Agreed! And if your workplace is in the government sector, even if your’e a government contractor, anything on that device – personal or work related – may be subject to your state’s open records laws. Or if the company faces legal troubles you could be court ordered to turn the device over for investigation/discovery. Do you, as an employee, really want law enforcement (and ultimately the general public)to have access to your personal data?

  4. BYOD is a security nightmare since both (or more) parties have to share ownership of the device and get a say in how secure it is. You can try and use security policies and secure configurations, but an employee can tear them down pretty quickly if they want to play Angry Birds.

    Also IANAL, but I would think the more control you exert over an employee’s device the less it is their device and their responsibility if something goes wrong.

  5. MY phone – my stuff only. If the organization wants me to be available by smartphone, computer, etc. then they need to supply THEIR equipment – not piggy-back on mine.

    Piggy-backing on MY equipment is not unlike the company that wants an artist to work for free! Cheapskates!

    1. I agree 100%. My company wants me to have company data and company restrictions baked into my personal phone, including requiring a long complex password that locks every minute, directs all my web traffic directed through their firewall via VPN, and them having the already demonstrated capability to remotely upload/download files, restrict the programs I can install and wipe my entire phone including all my photos of Jessica and my kids.

      NO.

      If they want me to deal with after-hours issues then they need to provide me a fully supported and paid for device/service. Yes this means a second phone.

  6. I wish I could bring my own mouse, keyboard, and monitors. That would make a yooge difference. Those things have no data and they can throw them out when I leave. I wouldn’t need IT support for things I bring in.

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