Employee-owned devices, particularly smartphones and tablets, are increasingly used in the workplace. Although many employers have gone to significant expense to equip their workforces with such devices, more and more employees rely on their own devices, in a trend known as bring your own device. BYOD offers advantages for both employee and employer. Employees crave the most up-to-date devices, but may not want to carry more than one. Employers can save the expense of purchasing and updating devices, while fostering a more productive work environment. According to one study by Gartner Inc.’s Executive Programs, half of all employers will require workers to bring their own device by 2017. Clearly, BYOD is here to stay.
Nevertheless, a BYOD workforce presents several challenges for an employer, including data security, compliance with employment laws, and potential litigation risk. An effective BYOD program supports the advantages of BYOD while simultaneously mitigating the inherent risks. This article outlines considerations for implementing a successful BYOD program.
