The bring-your-own-device (BYOD) market began to climb in 2014. Tech Pro Research found that over 70% of organizations allowed employees to use their personal devices for work-related activities. This figure has since increased, mainly due to the global shift to a hybrid work culture in 2020.
In previous years, employees carried out their work tasks using company property, but with the onset of work-from-home and the rise of smart devices, employees can now complete these tasks using their devices. For many, this is a win-win situation: employees can balance their work and personal lives in one place, and businesses can save money because they don’t have to pay for company phones or laptops. However, there are just as many cons as pros associated with the BYOD market.
Cons of BYODs
Data Breach and Theft
Let’s say an employee initially from India is working in the United Kingdom and is using an Indian IP address on their personal computer to access their work accounts. If their computer is operating on an unsecured network, that employee and their employer are at risk of a data breach or theft. However, suppose that this employee uses a product like ExpressVPN for India. In that case, they can use their personal computer to browse the Internet freely as if they were back home while ensuring their online and company privacy is secure. That is because such products don’t log a user’s activity or store data while they’re online. Data breaches and theft are among the top two security concerns in the BYOD market, and ensuring that systems are in place to reduce cybercrime is imperative.
Employee Distraction
According to the Digital Guardian, around 21% of employees connect to social networks when using their devices for work. That is, of course, inevitable in this day and age, with dozens of social networking apps at our fingertips. However, it can be counterproductive. With more access to distractions, work tasks may not be completed as quickly as when employees used company computers or phones. A loss of productivity can be detrimental to a business, particularly if it’s a start-up.
Pros of BYODs
Employee Satisfaction
With that said, being able to use personal devices for work purposes may increase employee satisfaction. Employees like to feel trusted and rewarded, one of the many reasons that gamification has become so popular in the workforce. Gamification is a method in which employers reward employees for their work and efforts through leaderboards and point systems. Happy employees tend to be more productive, and their happiness and satisfaction may increase the company’s chances for positive word-of-mouth.
With the rise of work-from-home, the BYOD market is here to stay. However, before implementing this rule, businesses must consider the pros and cons of allowing employees to use their devices for work-related activities. While it may create a positive internal culture, security concerns include potential data breaches and theft. Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems.
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