BYOD or Bring Your Own Headache?

Hey there, business leaders! Did you know that 60% of small businesses that get hit by a cyber attack end up closing shop within six months? Scary, right? But how can you keep your business data secure if your employees are using their personal devices to access it? 

Let’s be real here – you’re very likely in one or more of these categories:

• You don’t provide employees company-owned devices because you don’t have the budget.
• You allow employees to use their phone to access company email, even though you have no written security policy in place and no data protection measures are implemented.
• You’ve banned personal devices, but because you haven’t fully implemented technical means to prevent it, 17% of your employees use their personal devices to access your company data anyway.

So, what can be done to protect your intellectual property and keep your business from running afoul of regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, FTC Safeguards, and other compliance requirements?

What BYOD Is

Understanding BYOD

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is all about letting your employees use their own gadgets—like smartphones, tablets, and laptops—for work. This can be super convenient and save your small business some serious cash since you don’t have to buy and maintain a bunch of company devices. Plus, people usually prefer using their own stuff because they’re already comfortable with it, which can make them more productive and happier at work.

Common BYOD Scenarios in the Workplace

BYOD can work wonders for many small businesses if you do it right. Take sales teams, for example—they often use their personal phones to check customer info and emails on the go, which makes them more responsive. Remote workers might use their own laptops to connect to your network, letting them work from anywhere without needing extra gear. Even in-office employees might prefer using their personal tablets during meetings to take notes or present stuff. These examples show how BYOD can make your business more flexible and productive.

The Importance of BYOD Policies

Why Having a BYOD Policy is Crucial for Data Security

Having a BYOD policy is essential for keeping your business data secure. When employees use their personal devices for work, it can create a lot of potential entry points for cyber threats. A well-crafted BYOD policy sets clear guidelines on how personal devices should be used, what security measures need to be in place, and how data should be accessed and stored. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and that your business data is protected, even when it’s being accessed from a variety of devices.

How BYOD Policies Help Ensure Compliance

Compliance with regulations like HIPAA, PCI DSS, and FTC Safeguards is crucial for many businesses, especially those handling sensitive information. A solid BYOD policy helps ensure that your business meets these compliance requirements by outlining the necessary security measures and protocols. For example, HIPAA requires that any device accessing patient information must be encrypted and secure. A BYOD policy can specify these requirements, helping you avoid hefty fines and legal issues. By having a clear policy in place, you can demonstrate to regulators that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect your data and comply with industry standards.

Technical Measures to Enforce Data Protection

MDM vs. MAM: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to securing personal devices in the workplace, two key tools come into play: Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Mobile Application Management (MAM). MDM focuses on managing the entire device, ensuring that security policies are enforced across all aspects of the device. This includes things like device encryption, remote wipe capabilities, and enforcing password policies. On the other hand, MAM zeroes in on managing and securing specific applications on a device. This means you can control how business apps are used and ensure that company data within those apps is protected, without necessarily managing the entire device. Both MDM and MAM are crucial for a robust BYOD strategy, offering different layers of security to protect your business data.

How Microsoft Intune Secures Devices

Microsoft Intune is a powerful tool that helps businesses manage and secure personal devices. With Intune, you can set up policies to ensure that devices meet your security standards before they can access company data. It allows you to manage both MDM and MAM, giving you the flexibility to secure entire devices or just specific apps. Intune also integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft services, making it easier to manage your IT environment. Features like conditional access ensure that only compliant devices can access sensitive information, while remote wipe capabilities allow you to erase data from lost or stolen devices.

Google Endpoint Management: An Alternative to Intune

Google Endpoint Management offers similar functionality to Microsoft Intune, providing businesses with the tools they need to secure personal devices. With Google Mobile Management, you can enforce security policies, manage apps, and ensure that devices are compliant with your company’s standards. It supports both Android and iOS devices, making it a versatile option for businesses with a diverse range of devices. Features like device encryption, remote wipe, and app management help protect your business data, while integration with Google Workspace makes it easy to manage your IT environment.

Why Technical Measures Are Needed to Protect Your Business Data

Limitations of Relying Solely on Written Policies

While having a written BYOD policy is a great start, it’s not enough on its own to protect your business data. Policies can outline the rules and expectations, but they can’t enforce them. Employees might forget to follow the guidelines, or they might not fully understand the technical aspects of data security. Without technical measures in place, there’s no way to ensure that devices are actually compliant with your security standards. This is where tools like MDM and MAM come into play—they help enforce your policies by automatically applying security settings and monitoring compliance.

Real-World Examples of Data Breaches Due to Lack of Technical Measures

Imagine an employee loses their personal smartphone, which they use to access company emails and documents. Without technical measures like remote wipe, anyone who finds that phone could potentially access sensitive business information. Or consider a scenario where an employee downloads a malicious app on their personal tablet. If there’s no MAM solution in place to control app usage, that malware could easily spread to your company’s network, leading to a data breach. These real-world examples highlight the risks of not having technical measures in place. Written policies alone can’t prevent these situations, but technical tools can help mitigate the risks by providing additional layers of security.

Don’t Wait to Protect your Business Data – Implement BYOD Today

We’ve covered a lot about BYOD policies and why they’re so important for keeping your business data safe. From understanding what BYOD is, to the technical measures you need to enforce data protection, it’s clear that having a solid strategy in place is crucial. By combining a well-crafted policy with tools like MDM and MAM, you can protect your sensitive information and keep your team productive, no matter what devices they’re using.

If all this talk about MDM and MAM has your head spinning, don’t worry—Managed Nerds has got your back. As the top managed services provider in Augusta and across the CSRA, we’re here to help small businesses like yours navigate the world of BYOD. Whether you need help setting up policies or implementing the right tech solutions, our team of experts is ready to assist. Contact us today and let us take the hassle out of securing your business data!