BYOD stands for bring your own device.
Bring your own device (BYOD) to work?
The term BYOD refers to “bring your own device”, this can be anything from your mobile phone, tablet, computer, mobile router, storage device and the list goes on. The term was first initially seen in frequent use around 2009 at Intel, the Multinational Corporation and technology firm based in America. Many employees were known to bring their own devices to aid their tasks at work and this made them more efficient as well.
Other variations of the term include BYOC “bring your own computer” or BYOPC “bring your own PC” or BYOL “bring your own laptop”, BYOP “bring your own phone”, BYOT “bring your own technology” as well as BYOA “bring your own apps”
BYOD is commonly seen within industries like IT because staff members can utilise tools of which they are well familiar with, making them more efficient. Also the cost of the latest technologies can put a halt on achieving goals, and thus encouraging bringing your own devices can save in some instances.
BYOD pros and cons
Advantages
– Bring your own device can be cost effective for both the company and the employee. Some companies can choose to compensate the employee towards the maintenance costs of their devices.
– Employees can update their devices freely from work and easily too. Workers are prone to look after their own devices and can thus mean fewer funds spent on additional support and promote security.
– Fewer training is needed to operate devices owned by the employee in the first place. The employer doesn’t have to give out money on purchasing devices, technology and computers if the worker can simply bring their own.
Disadvantages
– Can pose BYOD security risks, this is one of the biggest concerns related to it and to help combat this, stringent policies have been put into place.
– In some cases businesses have to adapt their applications to the new devices being used by the employee.
– Costs can be incurred when companies have to spend funds on device management tools to keep a hand on employees and their devices being used.
Policies governing bring your own devices
Policies governing the laws of bring your own device can be tailor-made to suit the needs of the corporation. In some cases a corporation may delegate a certain amount of funds to each employee to purchase their devices, computers, technologies as well as the allowance to maintain it. This can help the company be able to set a fixed budget towards this and save where possible. However, where security is concerned the policies can put limits to total freedom where it could pose security risks like viruses and exposure of sensitive information.
It’s always a plus for the employee to be able to utilise BYOD in their workplaces as they will be dealing with common ground and familiarity. They will be able to work more swiftly and not fully be responsible to company equipment damages provided devices used were safe to begin with.
