Smartphones and laptops are everywhere. Many employees work remotely or in hybrid roles, so personal devices are often used for business tasks.
82% of businesses currently use BYOD in their workplace.
Bring-your-own device (BYOD) policies are now a standard part of the modern office, but they come with security risks. This article explores common BYOD security risks and offers practical ways to safeguard your business.
BYOD is taking over the workplace. Employees use their personal gadgets for work, from smartphones to USB drives.
It’s a big deal—the global BYOD market is worth $98.8 billion and growing fast.
While most IT decision-makers see BYOD as a time-saver, it’s not all smooth sailing. The perks are clear, but so are the security risks. Companies need to find that sweet spot between flexibility and keeping their data safe.
Understanding BYOD security risks helps organizations stay protected, which include:
Employees using personal devices for work can lead to data leaks and breaches.
Personal devices can get lost, stolen, or infected with malware attacks, putting company data at risk. Cloud technology helps, but it’s not foolproof. BYOD security risks increase with corporate network access, whether for routine tasks or sensitive activities.
Personal apps can pose significant BYOD security risks.
Many are not what they appear and should not be on end users’ mobile devices. Mobile devices make up much of an organization’s BYOD ecosystem, exposing them to risks from malicious apps.
Users often download apps from third-party stores or torrent sites without verifying authenticity. These apps may seem legitimate but can deliver malware or unwanted ads like those with the Super Mario Run release in 2017.
With BYOD, mixing business and personal use is inevitable.
Your organization won’t have control over websites visited by employees, which may be malicious or compromised.
Devices might be used by the employee’s family members or connected to unsecured wireless networks. While educating employees on security best practices helps, they might still loan their devices to friends or use public networks to save data.
Many BYOD devices store, access, and process confidential company information, posing a great risk if they fall into the wrong hands.
The danger comes from malicious actors, like when you leave a device on public transportation, which can also expose sensitive data.
74% of organizations are at least moderately vulnerable to insider threats.
Organizations using BYOD face even greater risks because security teams find monitoring employee-owned devices not connected to a central company network harder.
But, malicious insiders aim to harm the organization and avoid detection. Personal devices help them evade monitoring systems and security tools.
Employees often use BYOD devices on the go, one of the main reasons many opt for BYOD. Public Wi-Fi in a café is convenient, but connecting to unsecured networks puts company data at risk.
Certain industries, such as healthcare, have strict regulations about using and distributing information. Companies must comply with these policies and safeguard sensitive data appropriately, even on employee-owned devices.
Failure to do so can destroy customer trust and result in costly penalties.
Allowing employees to load corporate information onto their devices greatly increases the likelihood of compliance failure. Enforcing compliance on employee devices is far more complex than securing corporate devices.
Many BYOD companies have implemented policies to limit network security and legal risks but face significant risks from potential employee noncompliance.
Employees who do not fully understand or remember their agreed-upon policies may use personal messaging apps, text, and email for work matters.
Teach employees to recognize and report security threats, such as:
This will help you prevent data breaches and minimize security incidents.
If you haven’t developed a corporate Bring Your Own Device policy, or if the one you have is out of date, these tips will help you create an effective one:
Decide what you mean by “bring your device.”
Make it clear which devices you will support, in addition to corporate-issued devices, and which you won’t.
Require passwords or lock screens on personal devices. There’s too much sensitive information to allow unfettered access.
Ensure employees understand support boundaries for personal devices, including:
A comprehensive BYOD security solution should address multiple aspects to ensure a holistic approach to mobile security.
Here’s a closer look at measures that mitigate BYOD security risks effectively:
MDM solutions address BYOD security risks by enforcing encryption, passcode requirements, and remote wipe capabilities. These measures protect sensitive data, even if a device is lost or stolen.
Consistent security policies through MDM help organizations maintain control over their mobile device ecosystem.
DLP software classifies sensitive data and identifies policy violations driven by regulatory requirements like:
Once identified, DLP enforces remediation with alerts, encryption, and protective actions to prevent accidental or malicious data sharing. Data loss prevention technologies address BYOD security risks by ensuring unauthorized users don’t lose, misuse, or access sensitive data.
Clear usage policies and guidelines help mitigate BYOD security risks. Define permitted devices, allowed software, and required security measures for accessing company data.
Prioritize data encryption and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access. Require strong passwords, implement multi-factor authentication, and ensure all devices have up-to-date security software installed to prevent data breaches and cyber threats.
Conduct regular security audits to assess the security posture of BYOD devices and identify potential vulnerabilities or compliance security issues.
Keep devices up to date with the latest security patches and software updates to mitigate the potential risk of exploitation by cybersecurity threats.
Establishing a zero-trust environment and adopting Perimeter81’s ZTNA solution helps mitigate BYOD security risks. Zero-trust application access ensures your data and network remain secure, reducing the risk of infiltration and noncompliance fines.
Contact us today to learn more about how our solutions benefit your compliance efforts or request a demo.
