BYOD Tips for Data Security

In the perfect scenario, no device outside of company-controlled devices would ever be allowed to connect to the company network. That’s not the world we live in today. Many organizations rely on employees’ personal devices to help them accomplish their daily tasks as a result of remote and hybrid work environments. Therefore, the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) conversation must be a huge focus. What’s your company’s BYOD policy?

Data or Device Management?

Given the nature of the BYOD issue, it only makes sense that security teams are hyper focused on the actual devices that can be the weak point in a network security strategy. The challenge with this is it can rub employees wrong, as they feel “monitoring devices” is obtrusive. Try focusing on “data monitoring” as it pertains to organizational data, and you can alleviate some of this tension.

Lay Out Your BYOD Policy

The more transparency you can provide, the better positioned you’re going to be with your BYOD policy. Clearly define everything you’ll be monitoring, and let the employees know that the only reason you’re being cautious is that cyber criminals are ready to pounce on organizations that fail to establish tough policies.

Your policy should define data ownership and identify acceptable devices and how they will be used. Effective policies leave no ambiguity in regard to security requirements (what’s expected of employees) and also lay out employee exit plans, so all devices are accounted for.

Best Practices

When it comes to data security, nothing should be taken for granted. For example, passwords are one of the most basic security steps to take, yet so many organizations do not have strict password hygiene. Stay a step ahead of the cyber criminals by establishing multifactor authentication.

Another is staff education. Training shouldn’t end on the last day a new employee is onboarded. Network threats are constantly evolving, as are methods for protecting your data. Your BYOD policy should include an education segment that keeps everyone up to speed on the latest threats, how to avoid them, and keeping your infrastructure up to the task.

Partner With a Professional

At One Connect, we help organizations in a variety of industries with their BYOD strategies. We find the solutions that align with your unique needs, saving you the time and hassle of finding the right technology and strategies for staying productive and securing an ever-evolving environment. We know that every business, not just the major global brands, are vulnerable to attack, which is why we specialize in everything from network protection to endpoint security and threat assessment.