In today’s world, Mobile computing is such a priority for employees that a lack of corporate support will not deter workers from bringing in their own consumer devices. The ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) craze is picking up traction and it is important for your organization to be equipped.
Without proper policies and measures in place, mobile users can make corporate data more vulnerable and threaten existing application investments. According to VDC Research, about 40 percent of enterprises allow employees, in varying degrees, to bring their own smartphones and tablets to work… and those numbers are increasing daily.
Once an organization has elected to allow or deny BYOD in the enterprise, the IT/IS Departments will have to take appropriate measures to control access to corporate networks. Preparing for a successful BYOD program should follow these three basic steps:
- Develop Policy – Organizations need to create internal policies covering acceptable personal usage. It is very easy for a single employee with approval for corporate email on their mobile device to pass corporate network access login information on to another employee. While not intentionally trying to harm the organization, the impact can be detrimental. Development and implementation of an enterprise mobility policy can protect your organization.
- Utilize Mobile Security Solutions – Deploy the technology solution that will allow you to enforce your enterprise mobile policy for BYOD. Examples of such technologies would be mobile device management, mobile email management, mobile application management, and mobile content management software.
- Manage Mobile Security Solutions – The last and perhaps most important step is to manage the technology, strategies, help desk support, and device policy compliance, to ensure the system works.
The mobile industry is growing fast, as are the demands and costs of maintenance. With IT Departments being stretched thin, Wireless Watchdogs is here to alleviate your BYOD challenges. The Wireless Watchdogs Mobile Device Management solution – powered by AirWatch – pairs expert managed services with MDM software to ensure that your BYOD program is controlled and secured.
