Why BYOD Isn’t to Blame for Compromised Data

The rise of mobile technologies has undoubtedly complicated IT. But despite the benefits, including lower costs and increased employee productivity, there's lingering suspicion among IT pros about whether these technologies, and what trends like BYOD leave in their wake, put sensitive company data at risk. The anxiety is understandable — data protection, after all, is top of mind for IT managers — but that anxiety is often misplaced. 

With BYOD on the rise and showing no signs of slowing, it's important to dispel myths about the data risk of BYOD. More than likely, BYOD is not to blame when company or customer data goes missing. 

Myth: Storing data in the cloud creates unacceptable risks.

Truth: The majority of companies don’t deal with cloud-based risks since 85 percent of companies still manage sensitive information in data centers or their own networks, according to a BYOD and Mobile Security study by LinkedIn.  

Myth: Cutting employees off from mobility will solve IT's data security concerns.

Truth: “Trying to stand in the path of consumerized mobility is likely to be a damaging and futile exercise,” Richard Absalom, consumer impact technology analyst at Ovum, told infoTECH. Instead, companies should look for ways to build on employees’ past behavior to boost productivity and data protection. Successful BYOD policies strike a balance between assuaging IT's concerns and and accommodating employees' desire to work from their own devices.

Myth: Blacklisting apps will increase data protection.

Truth: While employees recognize that apps can increase their performance in the office, they also see them as needed distractions to break the afternoon slump. Companies should steer away from restricting apps, such as games and sharing programs, because employees will continue to use the apps they prefer, with or without IT's blessing, says Caleb Sima, CEO of Bluebox Security. Instead of a heavy-handed approach, companies should address concerns directly and protect the data itself. 

Some may argue that with BYOD comes increased risk of compromised data, but data risks are typically associated with how employees use their devices and applications, not the actual devices and applications themselves. 

h/t: Chief Mobility Officer

[Image via Can Stock Photo]