The topic of BYOD-proofing your workplace is centered around an important paradigm shift that needs to take place in the information security world today. Protecting the data, not the device, is the key to enterprise file security.
As the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) culture continues to permeate the global workplace, this paradigm shift can’t come soon enough.
BYOD is typically understood as a workplace policy that allows employees to use their personal laptops, smartphones, tablets and other devices for work.
When IT can’t control every security aspect of the device, the potential for data loss or leakage increases. Without granular control over data access rights and enterprise file sharing from employees’ personal devices, you can’t guarantee your files are safe and secure.
In addition to a lack of control, BYOD policies curtail IT teams from uninstalling unsecure or malicious apps. Employees are entitled to have a consumer-grade file sharing application such as Dropbox on their personal smartphone. But if they’re using that smartphone to conduct company business, IT teams have the right to control how enterprise files may be shared and viewed on that device.
Also consider that with BYOD users are able to switch devices when they want and upgrade to the latest version. How do you ensure your company data stays safe when being transferred to the new device and that nothing confidential is left behind?
But for all the red flags that come with BYOD, it usually saves organizations a significant amount of money on outfitting employees with smartphones and laptops that must be regularly serviced and upgraded. And employees often prefer to use their own devices because they’re familiar with them.
Since BYOD gives IT teams no control over the device, information security is essential to a successful BYOD program. If you secure your information, it doesn’t matter what device it’s stored on because the information itself is protected.
Organizations considering BYOD or refining their current BYOD policies should seek an enterprise file sharing platform that allows multi-dimensional access controls to keep corporate information separate from personal information.
Look for an enterprise file sync and share platform with centralized administration for managing file access and sharing. The access control suite needs to work from both within and outside of your organization to be effective.
These multi-dimensional access controls help with BYOD by keeping enterprise data in safe containers that can be erased or blocked from the access control suite if the device is lost or stolen and when an employee leaves the organization or upgrades their device.
Remember, to truly “BYOD-proof” your workplace, your focus needs to rest squarely on your data and not the devices it’s stored on.
