BYOD- The Buzzing Trend!

BYOD- Bring Your Own Device, is the buzzing trend, not only in IT but everywhere where there are laptop users. Yes, IT is the force behind the implementation, if it happens. Tablets and smart phones like Samsung Galaxy Note, iphones, Blackberry etc are fueling this trend.

You might be surprised that "what's new in BYOD? I always bring my own device" But there is a difference, you bring your own device for your personal use, not for the official use. Under this new trend, users are expected to use their own device for official purpose as well. Organizations will not bear the cost of device or cost of Internet connection (cost of Internet connection may be borne by companies in some cases)

What benefit the employee will get? I am not sure of any substantial benefit for employees. Yes, they may not have to carry laptop everyday to office. They may not have to maintain two different devices, one for personal use and other for official use, if employee is comfortable using one device only.

What benefit the employer will get? HUGE, may be even 'huge' is not able to define the benefit! Cost of laptop, cost of maintenance of laptop, cost of support of facilities management (FM), cost of licensed software are just a few to name in terms of savings. Organizations don't need to maintain the endpoint inventory. Other standard software, security software, many many different agents that run on the laptops- all will be saved, and overhead for maintenance will reduced drastically.

What is the challenge in implementing BYOD? There are two major challenges- first being data security of the organization's data. This is also directly related to security of the device from the potential threats. And second is employees agreeing to this concept. These two are major roadblock. If measures are taken for data security(challenge number one) then there are chances that employee will not agree to adhere to the policy on their own device. For example, in order to reduce the chances for data leakage, Symantec DLP for ipad can be used.

To overcome these challenges, there are different solutions (technological and non- technological) that are coming up. Employee awareness is required. And some solutions that will mutually benefit both employer and employee, should be introduced.

19-May-12

I was reading this article. There are benefits for employees also in BYOD. Much in depth details are provided in the article.

http://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?ty...