BYOD policies have already become quite popular among a wide range of industries. In 2017, the next trends appears to be a greater focus on security.
Many employers are enthusiastic about the possibility of BYOD, but also worry that their employees do not possess the training necessary to avoid the starkest security risks.
A recent report by recruiting agency Robert Half found that 36 percent of chief information officers said that a lack of data security knowledge presents a problem for their businesses.
"Ensuring that employees are specially trained to handle confidential data on their personal devices is particularly important."
"BYOD practices pose a major cyber-security threat which requires protecting corporate networks and data, mobile device management, and developing security policies," Robert Half managing director Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard told Human Resources Online. "Although it may not be intentional, simple human error can expose companies to increased cyber-attacks and situations where sensitive company data can be compromised."
Ensuring that employees are specially trained to handle confidential data on their personal devices is particularly important in heavily regulated industries, such as health care. For instance, laws dictate the level of confidentiality granted to patient information, and medical professionals need to ensure that any digital devices they use can maintain that security.
"The impact of a data security breach on a company's reputation can be devastating and it can take years to win back customer confidence, so proactively developing a robust IT security strategy should be a top priority," Imbert-Bouchard added.
Agile IT modernization solutions can help companies adapt to the demands of a successful BYOD policy. Inventu's Flynet Viewer meets employer and employee expectations in a way that feels familiar and simple.