You are probably aware of the term BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), a term that clearly denotes the changing enterprise landscape. Technology, as we can see, has not only changed customer behavior but also the way employees work in and contribute to an organization. BYOD is not a trend, it is in fact a whole new way of business operation. It has become a norm as it provides both employees and employers with plenty of benefits to enjoy.

BYOD policies mean you allow your employees to work more comfortably using devices they are more familiar with. While it definitely means better productivity and mobility, it has its own set of concerns. And when you mix it all up with public cloud – they say it’s the perfect recipe for disaster.

Just how true is this statement?

Let’s find out.

The major reason BYOD is considered insecure is because the devices your employees bring can be filled with malware and compromising applications. Besides, the fact that these same devices are connected to various networks, even public ones, puts your data into a vulnerable and compromising situation. If your infrastructure is based on public cloud with no additional security layer, you have an open gateway for viruses and other data or network threats.

However, that doesn’t mean there’s no way to resolve the issue. Enterprises have actually developed highly effective policies to ensure security of the data, network, various devices, and even the users of said devices. You can actually restrict the type and nature of document that can be accessed through personal devices and those that cannot. The policies can also dictate the type of documents that can be backed up to the private cloud of the user.

Policies can make a world of difference if they are justified, fair, and if the employees are all willing to stick to them. That is what brings us to yet another form of risk related to BYOD and the cloud computing environment; this is when employees leave, and do so on a less than favourable note. The possibility of data theft or manipulation is extremely high in such cases. It often takes an awful amount of time to restrict their access to the documents they were previously allowed to access.

In response to this concern, enterprises are now working on means to ensure that employee-organization relationships remain positive and trustworthy, even in case of termination. Besides, better policies and systems are being developed to instantly restrict access and clear the devices before the employee steps out the door.

While the risks are real, so are the benefits. BYOD and cloud can both work in your favor if implemented with fair policies and honest commitment. Does your company have a BYOD concern or policy in place? Let us know in the comments.