University of Garden City

Faculty of Computer Studies &

Information Technology

Advantages a d disadvantages of using

your private devices (phones laptops)
for work purposes

Ahmed Abdulhai Mohammed

Advantages:

Cost Efficiency: Though the BYOD model may require an initial upfront
investment (to create infrastructure), it is much more cost efficient in the long
run. By adopting a BYOD policy, businesses shift the cost of hardware, voice and
data services, and other services towards the user. In doing this, the business is
able to cut expenditures on a monthly basis. While businesses no longer have to
pay the charges associated with service and hardware (procurement,
maintaining, and upgrading), it becomes the employees responsibility. Though
this may seem harrowing, many employees are happy to foot the bill as they can
use the technology they are most comfortable with. The Good Technology State
of BYOD Report states, 50 percent of companies with BYOD models are
requiring employees to cover all costsand they are happy to do so. In addition
to cut service and hardware costs, the BYOD method diminishes IT support costs
as well. Aside from the BYOD model, there is the Stipend model in which
companies provide an allotted amount of money for users to select and purchase
their own device (which can be used for personal and professional activities).

Worker Satisfaction: As mentioned above in the Good Technology State of

BYOD Report, many workers are happy to pay for their own services and
hardware as they are able to use the hardware they prefer. BYOD optimizes this
preference and eliminates the stress of having to learn a completely new and
different operating system/device. In doing so, the method allots for greater
satisfaction amongst workers. According to the Evolving Workforce Research
study, 60% of employees believe work would be more enjoyable if they were
able to provide input into the technology used in the workplace, and 60% also
felt they would be more productive with better technology and devices. BYOD
adoption can enable greater satisfaction as it provides a more flexible work
environment, which gives employees the freedom to work both in and out of the
office from their devices. Often times, employees will feel a greater sense of trust
within companies that allow for BYOD. This in turn leads to a healthier work
environment, as well as a boost in loyalty and morale.

Improved Efficiency and Productivity: As worker satisfaction increases so

does overall efficiency and productivity. In adopting BYOD, employees are able to
use whatever devices they are most comfortable and familiar with. As users
know how to navigate devices, they can quickly perform tasks that may have
taken longer on a standardized device. For example, the 2012 Asia-Pacific New
Way of Work Study commissioned by VMware and conducted by Acorn
Marketing & Research Consultants, found that across 10 countries 64% of
employees in multinational corporations (MNCs) across the region said their
efficiency had improved thanks to the use of personal devices to complete work
tasks. Additionally, 63% of the workers polled also said that they had actively
sought out further web applications to boost their own productivity. Aside from
comfortablity, workers are also able to better optimize time (with BYOD).
Productivity increases when people know they have the freedom to fit things in
when they need to, states Denise Deveau of the Financial Post.
Additionally, BYOD adoption can make a company more appealing to prospective
professionals. According to Cisco IBSG, the average number of connected devices
per knowledge worker is projected to hit 3.3 by 2014. With this number its easy
to see how quickly the method is spreading. As it continues to spread, it allows
businesses (that adopt it) to appear as forward thinking, which in turn attracts
more attention and enables more progressive growth.
Greater Mobility: As employees use their own devices, they can move with them
more easily (as they are their own property). BYOD, along with Remote Desktop
Connection allows for office connection anywhere and anytime. An employee can
access the companys network from their own device through the Remote
Desktop Connection. This in turn allows employees to access company
information and applications at any point and place. Though there are security
risks in allowing this, there are also a number of precautions that can be taken.
Disadvantages:

Security: IT professionals have a complicated relationship with BYOD adoption.

The IT staff benefits from BYOD in that there is a simplified infrastructure, lower
end-user device management, and less troubleshooting and support needed;
however, BYOD also challenges IT professionals in security. As mobility is
increased through the usage of Smartphones and laptops, data moves in and out
of the company much more easily. As a result, security areas such as access
control, policy enforcement, and the security of confidential data on users
devices are open to much greater risks. Additionally, other risks exist as well,
including: lost devices, personal usage, multiple device types and operating
systems, modified devices, portal usage, social media access, applications, and
lack of control over data.

While security breaches can be extremely harmful, the fear of security breach can
hinder the productivity the model allows for. According to the 2012 Blue Coat
Mobility Study, out of 350 respondents, 83% allow employees access to company
email and 56% allow instant messaging on personal devices; however, only
fractions open other services to mobile devices that are not corporately owned.
Organizations are clearly uncertain about mobile malware and employee
acceptance of the IT organization placing security controls on employees
personally owned devices, but that also means those organizations are not fully
realizing the business productivity potential of mobility. states Timothy Chiu,
director of product marketing at Blue Coat.
Though some devices offer extensive security solutions, others may not. This
leads to greater network vulnerability as security is not evenly distributed
amongst devices connected to the network. In order to combat this, there are
some companies and applications that offer solutions such as mobile app
controls to better ensure tight security measures. One company that does such
is Blue Coat. Blue Coat offers WebFilters, which analyze web pages or URLS and
assign them to one (or more) than 94 pre-defined categories. Also application
policies allow companies to control the way users interact with web and mobile
applications. Additionally, Blue Coat allows companies to take information from
the WebFilter databases (for example App name, app operations, and app
category) to identify apps and operations and create policy for end-users, groups,
or the entire organization.

IT Control: As stated above, BYOD adoption does not require as strong of an IT

presence; however, this lack of presence can lead to a loss or lack of control over
the IT hardware and how it is being used. Company supplied devices typically
come with acceptable usage policies and company security, which are
maintained and updated by the IT staff; however BYOD does not offer this level
of involvement. Instead, companies must come to implement their own user
policies. Practices will need to be put into place and there will be a need for
transparency in respect to IT Decisions. Or the consumerisation of IT could back-
fire, states Fergus Murphy, marketing director, client solution, Dell Europe. In
doing this, however, companies may have a harder time dictating and enforcing
acceptable usage policy for devices that belong to the employee. Also, even If
policies are implemented, the owner is likely to find their way around it as they
are more comfortable with the system.
Compliance and Ownership of Data: Businesses that fall under regulatory
scrutiny of agencies such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, or GLBA must retain certain
requirements in regards to information and data security. Companies need to
enforce these rules even when adopting BYOD method. If an employee is
terminated, or leaves on his or her own accord, retrieving the data on their
device may be tricky. The company will want its data at the end of employment;
therefore, rules and regulations that dictate data ownership must be put into
place. Some compliance strategies that can be implemented to better combat
potentially harmful situations are: acceptable uses policies, security policies
(passwords/encryption), social media policies, wireless access policies, remote
access policies, remote working policies, employee code of conduct, Incident
response policies, and privacy policies. Additionally, in companies searching
through employee owned devices, there are legalities they must adhere to. For
example, in order for companies to search a device there must be work-related
purpose.
Melding Professional and Private Life: While BYOD increases mobility and
allows employees to do work in the office or from home, this blending of
interests may not be the healthiest option. While work and mobile phone/laptop
addiction is something that is commonly seen, it can work in reverse as well.
BYOD can sometimes lead to or worsen a lack of focus amongst employees. This
goes back to the previous concern dealing with IT control. This again goes back
to security, as devices that are used professionally and privately are susceptible
to more risks; therefore, businesses need to implement acceptable usage policies
for employees to avoid any potential employee conflict of interests.

BYOD can be very advantageous if it is utilized and monitored properly. Though

there are a number of potential concerns, most have precautionary recourse
attached to them. In order to ensure that maximum potential is being optimized,
it is crucial that the company implementing this model is aware of all that is
required (regulatory and security measures). While above information does a
number of potential advantages and disadvantages of BYOD, it is not holistically
inclusive. BYOD adoption tends to be individualistic; therefore, companies should
thoroughly research all the necessary information before selecting this model.