Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Model for Enterprise Mobility
Introduction
Enterprise mobility is about
providing swift information access to employees on the move. In order to cater
to the fundamental changes in the working environment, wherein more and more
individuals are opting to work virtually, organizations are providing access to
their enterprise applications through mobile devices. Traditionally, companies
have armed their mobile workforce with devices such as cell phones and laptops
equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity. These devices remotely connected to the
organization’s network through a secure VPN solution accessing enterprise
applications and data.
Enterprise Mobility Evolution and the Emergence of
BYOD
Over the years deployment of
mobile devices has been on the rise across companies and the traditional
concept of company provided devices has given way to the new concept of ‘Bring
Your Own Device’, popularly referred as ‘BYOD'.
In the BYOD model employees use their personal mobile
devices to connect with their company’s wireless networks, thus enabling them
to access data and accomplish their tasks. With rising affiliation of
individuals to their latest mobile devices (the likes of smart phones and
tablets), harnessed with the power of cutting-edge technologies and
applications, BYOD has become a rapidly growing trend in today’s business
environment.
BYOD Model - Benefits and Challenges
One of the major benefits
cited by the advocates of the BYOD model is the reduction in organization
spending on the purchase and support of mobile devices. The tech savvy users of
latest mobile devices are usually capable of configuring these devices, the
onus of which typically remained with the IT support personnel. Further, the
BYOD model empowers the workforce with greater mobility which in effect leads
to improved productivity and efficiency at work.
For organizations the appeal of the BYOD model also
remains in terms of retaining and attracting high performing and innovative
workforce, who usually look for flexibility and often work beyond working
hours. In such a scenario, implementing the model can serve as a competitive
advantage to companies.
The BYOD model is not without its share of challenges, an
imminent challenge an organization faces in the decision making process to
implement BYOD is that of data security. Companies adopting the model may not
have a total control over the devices and how they are used. In the traditional
model, the devices provided by companies came along with agreed upon usability
and security guidelines. However, in the BYOD model it is not easy to impose
requisite usability standards on devices owned by employees. Another challenge
is of data segregation and retrieval, which surfaces when an employee quits the
organization or is discharged from his services.
Costs Involved in Rolling Out the BYOD Model
Organizations need to
estimate the costs involved in implementing the BYOD model. A direct implication of providing
connectivity to additional devices is the cost of installing network equipment
to handle mobile data traffic. Although the issue of data loss can be minimized
by using device management software, the company will incur software licensing
cost for each mobile device. Moreover, providing access to enterprise
applications on multiple devices would mean buying additional licenses.
Implementing the BYOD Model
An organization can follow
two approaches to implement the BYOD model:
one involves allowing employees to bring their own devices and the other
known as the stipend model, wherein the organization shares the cost of the
device which is used by employees to carry out work-related and personal
activities.
A key factor in successfully implementing the BYOD model
lies in the organization’s ability to put in place well-defined policies and
outline the procedures to enforce them. Stringent information security rules
should be imposed based on the level of access an employee has to critical
organization data.
The BYOD model is
transforming the way organizations are devising and implementing their
enterprise mobility strategy. Companies across various industries, such as Fast
Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Finance, Healthcare and Insurance, are embracing
the model. Organizations inclined towards adopting BYOD model must carry out a
cost-benefit analysis, as well as take into account security, legal and policy
considerations.
