BYOD
1. Is BYOD Really Cheaper?
More and more companies and governments are implementing technology policies that allow their staff to bring your own device to work (or BYOD). This means those shiny new Christmas presents, like iPads, iPhones and Droid-enabled devices can access company and government data. Some experts estimate that BYOD will become the predominant technology approach to access mobile apps in coming years – with almost 60% of offices already implementing some type of BYOD. Consider these BYOD, money-saving, articles:
1. Encourage BYOD Policies in Agencies to Save Money – “Given the power, availability, and relative affordability of today’s smartphones and tablets, the Federal government cannot keep up on technology and shouldn’t have to. Instead, provide standard mobile data management (MDM) security protocols to allow employees to use their own, privately owned devices. Agencies should provide a monthly stipend to defer the cost of wireless services.” 2. 2012 Survey Reveals Top Cities Save Money With BYOD, New Wireless Facilities and Shared Services – “Top-ranked cities in the survey reduced overtime with new technology, embraced BYOD to reduce hardware costs and developed an app that will keep track of what users are doing to reduce power and fuel consumption.”3. California’s budget crisis sparks controversial ‘BYOD’ plan to save money– “Because of the state’s ongoing fiscal crisis, he, like other agency managers, last year was told to cut use of state-issued cellphones by 50% as a cost-saving measure. Cruz decided one way to hold down costs at DHCS, which was using BlackBerries, was to have agency employees use their own smartphones instead — without any subsidy.”
On the other side of the fence, consider these stories:
1. Asian companies resisting BYOD due to cost – “Companies will need to fork out for device management and individual mobile and data plans to enable BYOD initiatives, but the extra costs mean they’re holding back from implementation.”2. Most IT Directors (73%) Say BYOD Will Lead To Uncontrolled Costs Not Savings – “One major reason for potentially uncontrolled expenses boils down companies losing bargaining power with carriers as employees begin purchasing their own iPhones or Android handsets. While the cost of the device isn’t likely to be passed on to an employer, monthly costs for voice and data service may be a different story. With unlimited data plans slowly going the way of the dodo, many workers may not want to shoulder data bills associated with their jobs, which may lead to a shared expense model.3. More importantly, nearly the same amount of IT directors (69%) said that cost savings around lower support costs are “non-existent” despite the perception that personal devices will reduce the workload of IT staff. The survey found that IT staffers expect to remained the first place BYOD users call for technical support.”
4. Blackpool ICT boss: BYOD doesn’t save money – “Since starting its BYOD scheme, the council has realised that it is costing more to allow staff to use their own devices than corporate ones once additional requirements such as mobile device management
http://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-infrastructure/Is-BYOD-Really-Cheaper-112612.html
2. DSD issues advice for executives tackling BYOD
The Australian Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) has issued security advice for executives who are having to tackle the issue of employees bringing their own devices (BYOD) into the workplace. The DSD stated that although there may be benefits in the form of reduced hardware costs, overall, the total cost may increase when considering the need to support more devices, manage security breaches, or cover employee costs related to letting them bring their own device. It also warns that BYOD could increase of the ability for attackers to use social engineering, and increase the number of entry points into an organisation. The DSD stated that when enabling BYOD in the workplace, a key consideration should be whether there is a business case to justify trading off security.The DSD’s advice for supporting BYOD includes taking a risk-management approach, developing a usage policy based on a risk assessment and the business case, consulting with experts such as legal representatives and IT security staff, and educating the end users.
http://www.zdnet.com/au/dsd-issues-advice-for-executives-tackling-byod-7000007861/
3. Should small business owners embrace or push back against BYOD?
Even if a company chooses to provide their own enforced devices, it is technically tricky and often counterproductive to deny access to at least company emails from unauthorized personal devices.Rather than forcing such limitations, companies should provide tools and guidelines adapted to popular devices in order to ensure the protection of its information. Security on mobile devices is somewhat still limited today, but standard procedures such as VPN access, setting up a pin code to access the phone and the ability to remotely wipe a stolen phone is enough to provide a basic ground of protection. A common worry that many business owners have here is that their employees are going to slack off all day playing Angry Birds. The truth is, though, there were always opportunities for employees to be lazy, social media is just one of the newest options. On the other hand, the most overlooked benefit to embracing BYOD is that mobile tech allows employees to always be productive on the go. For instance, project management is accelerated when you’re not chained to a desktop computer.
4. India tops rankings of countries opposed to BYOD
Nearly half of all companies in India have security policies prohibiting employees using their own mobile devices for work purposes, a survey has revealed.A survey by IT security association ISACA polled more than 4,000 members from 83 countries. ISACA’s research shows 46% of Indian companies prohibit the use of personal mobile devices for work, with 56% of Indian IT professionals saying the risk outweighs the benefit.This trend of resisting bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programmes was followed by Europe (39%), China (30%) and US (29%), the ISACA survey found.Indian companies also scored the highest in blocking employees from accessing social networking sites from a company-owned device (58%) compared with China (33%), the US (32%) and Europe (30%).
http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240172376/India-tops-rankings-of-countries-opposed-to-BYOD
5. Why IT professionals prefer BYOD at work – Times Of India
Many IT companies are encouraging BYOD (bring your own device) to work. According to an industry survey, firms feel that with techniques like desktop virtualization their earlier concerns like data theft and network problems have been addressed and therefore they are adopting the idea of employees bringing their own devices to work. The study, which surveyed 1,493 IT and business leaders in India and China, shows that IT leaders are increasingly embracing BYOD in their enterprises. This study was part of networking solutions provider Cisco’s initiative to understand acceptance of BYOD among global IT companies in 18 industries.Employees are turning to BYOD because they want more control of their work experience, leading to more productivity and job satisfaction. They want to work on the device with which they are most comfortable.Their second desire is to choose when they do what. They want the flexibility to undertake personal activities while at work and to do their work during nontraditional work periods such as nights and weekends. Finally, they want freedom to use the device the way they see fit, including which apps to download.
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