How to Support BYOD Mobile Device Management

When companies decide to allow employees to bring their own mobile devices (BYOD) to work for work purposes, they need to have a written BYOD policy that prescribes how the devices are to be used for work. The policy should describe the company’s mobile device management, how to access company services, which software and apps are permitted, and how to keep the personal part of the device separate from work.

BYOD polices should respect employee privacy while ensuring that the company operations and data remain secure. If the mobile devices are secured properly, employees can easily access sensitive company data from their phones and employee collaboration on work and projects is facilitated. When mobile devices are not secured, sensitive company data may be at risk, and it becomes easy for unauthorized persons to browse company networks. Implementing the right policies to balance ease of use with adequate mobile device security measures can be challenging for small and medium sized businesses.

IT Service Providers Can Help Develop Appropriate BYOD Policies for Your Company

The right BYOD policies divide responsibilities between the employee and the company. The employee might be responsible for keeping the device up to date and advising IT support immediately if there is a problem with the phone or if it is lost. The company usually takes responsibility for access controls, management of user credentials, data security management, and technical support for installed software.

IT service providers with mobile device management experience can evaluate your company’s operations and make recommendations as to what policies would work best for your business. Key factors influencing policy decisions may be whether employees need access to certain proprietary information, to what extent sensitive information is stored on the mobile devices, and whether the sensitive information is internal company data or regulated personal and private information. IT service providers know what to look for and what corresponding policies are appropriate. Instead of developing your own policies, you are presented with clear options that are tested and will work.

Mobile Device Management Tools Help Prevent Data Loss and Keep Your Networks Safe

Mobile device management (MDM) tools are software applications that let you implement your BYOD policies in a structured way. Tools such as Intune, Kandji, Addigy or AirWatch can provide MDM functions including security policy monitoring and enforcement, access controls, email management, data security management and data loss prevention. An IT service provider can explain which features you need and help choose the best match for your set of BYOD policies and requirements.

Improper use of email represents a substantial security risk for your company. MDM tools can help secure email, whether it runs on an external service such as Google email or on internal company servers. The software tools lock down access to work email so you can control who has access to email accounts and who can open new ones. MDM controls let you back up emails when required, cancel accounts for employees who are no longer with the company, and automatically manage user name/ password assignment.

Data management and loss prevention tools let you monitor and control data flows. If an email contains key words or types of data indicating the possibility of a security breach, the tools can prevent the email from being sent. If a mobile device is lost or stolen, data and emails can be wiped remotely, preventing unauthorized access.

Need Help?

GSDSolutions offers strategic IT and consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses that include MDM software and BYOD policy solutions. If you need IT support in the Bay Area or the Central Valley for your business, contact us to schedule a free consultation.