Look at the flip side. With BYOD you could do a lot work on the go and you might not necessarily be confined to the office space for your work.
Using web based applications will solve the issue of wiping the phone if it is lost. If the corporate data is being kept on the web wiping the phone might not be required.
I'm with you on that. I too keep a lot of things on my phone that I would not want to lose. But, as a precaution, I also use the Cloud backup that Apple provides with the iPhone and keep all pictures backed up on my computer. The one beauty of the iPhone is how easy it is to restore it if something happens.
Jason, that's a good policy. I'm rather anti-BYOD for that reason - what if my phone (full of quirky kid and pet pics and craft snapshots) were wiped, then I found it under my bed or something with a dead battery? Or I decided to download a banking app to check my balance or pay bills? Too many risks to my personal device, I say...
@cparizo, good question and although it wasn't directed towards me, I'd like to share my experience :). Anytime a device is used for work purposes, even if it's BYOD, we have a form that needs to be filled out and signed basically stating that they agree that we have the right to that data and if something were to happen, we also have the right to wipe the device clean. If they don't like it then we'll issue a phone to them. This also applies to laptops, of course.
That's a good point, @Mitch. What do you do with BYOD, or with telecommuters? Or even people who work from home on occasion, using their personal devices that are set up to access the company network?
DrT - The same question occurred to me -- how does BYOD affect these issues? What if an employee accesses personal information on a personal device used also for work, with employer's software on it?
And what about remote and home-office workers, who will use a mix of corporate and personally owned equipment. (For example, my employer here at Internet Evolution provides the notebook computer, but the keyboard, mouse, display, Wi-Fi router and Internet connection are all mine.)
Acceptable Use Policy is one thing but now that we have to embrace BYOD, we know one thing for sure, this concept will get more complex. Employees would accept privacy in their own devices, it will not be like employers will be able to enforce everything they need. Separation of business app/data and personal app/data will play a key role in finding a right solution.
It would be really nice if everyone did the right thing... but they don't, unfortunately. Sometimes an employee has to verify a doctor's appointment or a bank deposit, but why that can't happen over the phone on a lunch hour is anyone's guess. (Really, it's not that hard to find a quiet space during lunch, coming from someone who worked in what felt like a zoo. Stairwells are nice and quiet. Dirty, but quiet.) It's just how this day and age is...
In our firm, most social networks are blocked. I agree with this decision, because it doesn't really do anyone much good if the employees are posting on Facebook or checking status updates during work hours. I think the periodical agreement policy pop-ups and reminders are a good idea on the side of the company; it's like their insurance in the future if ever an issue ensues and cases have to be settled.
Good suggestion, Christine. Along with the comprehensive written agreement, I'd go for a virtual one as well.
Do you really think employees will consider these policies while bringing any privacy invasion or while using the company's internet for some personal work??
i don't think so, because signing the policies has now become a formality rather than an oath as employees do not have any other option except to accept the terms and conditions of a company.
so if companies want to be more secure they have to take some major steps rather than just presenting a policy infront of an employee at the time of hiring.
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