Bring-your-own-device strategies work wonders for companies that like the benefit of remote employers. A BYOD policy lets workers work from home or lets them use their devices at work, but it also opens a doorway of endpoint security issues. This means all information, apps, and login data can be compromised from a user’s device.
It’s important to manage this carefully. Workers will appreciate the ability to use their own hardware, but you have to double down on the risks too. To help, here are five key methods to keeping info secure with BYOD strategies.
Hardware Identifiers
It’s important that only the appropriate eyes and hardware access sensitive information. As such, deploying a BYOD policy – both in regulation and software – is useful. A program which locks out unapproved devices by identifying their MAC address is one method to make sure only the proper devices can access certain levels of data.
Regular Software Updates
This goes into BYOD policy, but all relevant business apps should be updated. Old software leaves an opening for hackers to exploit weaknesses and steal information. This goes double on individual devices.
It’s also a good idea to require all software on a person’s device to stay up to date as well. If one of their accounts on the device is compromised, this is a potential security threat. Hackers can take stolen information and use that to penetrate the company network, if passwords are the same. This brings us to our next point.
Maintain Policy
The practices mentioned so far won’t work if there’s no enforceable policy. All workers and management must abide by an appropriate BYOD regulation in order to keep network infrastructure safe. What those regulations are come down to the individual company, but guidelines should exist all the same.
Require Backups, Deploy Bans
The reason it’s important to keep the mentioned apps updated is because again, they pose a potential security risk. Additionally, so too is it possible for users to lose their own data when operating under a BYOD strategy.
That’s why it’s crucial to emphasize to your workforce to “create backups of your personal data.” It’s also important to deploy device bans when they aren’t adhering to guidelines. Under a BYOD policy, certain apps may likely be banned entirely from the device. Devices that don’t follow this – simply put – should not be allowed to access the company network.
Understand International Privacy
If your organization handles business with other organizations outside the United States, then it’s worth knowing countries have their own regulations for cyber policy and security. There’s an additional need to make sure your own policy accounts for their regulations when conducting business, as well as your workforce.
These steps are all essential in managing a proper BYOD strategy for security. It might sound like a lot, but this is because BYOD programs generate increased risk in the work place. Therefore, it’s worth matching that risk with appropriate policy steps.
Implementing a safe BYOD program can get difficult. Stratosphere Networks can make it easy. Give us a call at (877)599-3999 or email us to speak with one of our experienced professionals about the steps you need to take to create a secure BYOD program.
