5 BYOD Challenges & Solutions For Mitigating Associated Risks

BYOD, or Bring Your Own Device, is a double-edged sword that increases work productivity while putting businesses at risk of exposing confidential and sensitive data.¹

BYOD was born out of the increasing prevalence of personal mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, in the workplace. The concept emerged as employees started to bring their personal devices to work and began using them to access work-related applications, email, and data.

This article looks into the challenges BYOD poses to cybersecurity in terms of endpoint security and data security.

5 challenges of BYOD

Though BYOD implementations are popular and widely applied, the management of BYOD comes with multiple challenges that increase pressure on cybersecurity. Here are 5 common challenges companies face when implementing BYOD.

1- Lack of employee training & employee confusion

Many security breaches that result in data loss occur due to human error or negligence. Employees may not be aware of the security risks associated with BYOD or may not follow best practices for securing their devices. Providing regular training and awareness of BYOD rules is essential.

2- Policy definition and implementation

Enforcing security policies on personal devices can be challenging. Organizations need clear and comprehensive policies regarding BYOD usage, including acceptable use, data handling, security protocols, etc. Ensuring that employees adhere to these policies can be difficult. Device control policies are such policies that define security measures and promote adherence to security rules.

3- Privacy concern

Employees may become concerned that their privacy is being restricted if they are asked to refrain from using specific applications that have extra requirements, like maintaining a secure network connection. As a result, employees may lack the motivation to follow the BYOD rules defined in the policy.

4- Lack of uniformity & inability to control devices

The task of asset management and maintaining an updated asset inventory may be strained by the use of various types of network devices, as pointed out in endpoint security statistics. Employee-owned personal devices used for work may be tagged or labeled before being added to the asset inventory. Devices may need to meet minimum requirements in order to run specific apps or adhere to safe connection guidelines. IT teams can ensure that devices are used securely and effectively.

5- Loss of data when devices are lost or stolen or an employee leaves

As pointed out in endpoint security best practices, lost or stolen devices make up the category that has the second highest probability of resulting in data breaches. Unmanaged personal devices carry the risk of unauthorized access, which in turn leads to data loss or breaches. Here are some common endpoint threats that utilize unauthorized access in different ways.

What is BYOD?

It is an utilized implementation in workplaces or educational institutions where employees or students are allowed to use their personal electronic devices, such as laptops, smartphones, or tablets, for work or learning purposes. This trend has become increasingly popular due to the proliferation of personal devices and the desire for flexibility and convenience in accessing work or educational resources. There are different kinds of BYOD, as below.²

• BYOD-as-a-Complement: In this approach, BYOD is used alongside existing company-provided devices. Employees or students are allowed to bring their own devices, but the organization still provides devices as needed. This strategy offers flexibility and allows individuals to use devices they are comfortable with while still ensuring that everyone has access to necessary tools.
• BYOD-as-a-Replacement: This approach involves replacing company-provided devices entirely with personal devices brought in by employees or students. The organization no longer purchases or provides devices for work or educational purposes, relying entirely on individuals bringing their own devices. This strategy can result in cost savings for the organization but may also introduce challenges in terms of device compatibility, security, and support.
• BYOD-as-an-Addition: In this approach, BYOD is introduced as an additional option alongside existing company-provided devices. Employees or students can choose to use their own devices in addition to those provided by the organization. This strategy provides flexibility and accommodates individual preferences while still ensuring that everyone has access to the necessary tools and support.

Intel’s trust approach to BYOD

Intel has been an early advocate of BYOD implementation. Back in 2012,  the company published a white paper on “Delivering Cloud-Based Services in a Bring Your Own Device Environment” in which it talks about taking advantage of BYOD initiatives while staying aware of the related security risks. The technology company shows the positive outcomes correlated with BYOD while highlighting the need for new perspectives on aspects such as trust.³ The company delivers an appropriate approach on devices by calculating security control in accordance with the sensitivity level of the data or source in question.⁴ The figures below depict Intel’s trust approach to the use of personal devices.

Figure 1. Schema of Intel’s Trust Architecture

Source: Intel IT.⁵

Figure 2. Schema of Intel’s Trusted Application Portal

Source: Intel IT.⁶

5 cybersecurity solutions to mitigate BYOD risks

As depicted in the above appearing figures, security measures focused on the sensitivity level of operations and data motivate businesses to seek authentication and authentication tools. Such tools can range from multi factor authentication (MFA) to an approach that has broader coverage, such as the Zero Trust Approach (ZTNA). Below are 5 perspectives on mitigating BYOD security risks.

1- Defining a BYOD security policy

Establishing well-defined guidelines facilitates BYOD adoption by both employees and employers. Making sure the policy includes privacy terms and legal commitments helps both parties come to an agreement on BYOD rules.

2- Regularly update software and operating systems

Regularly updating devices mitigates security risks by eliminating vulnerabilities. Endpoint management tools such as patch management feature help make sure endpoints are up to date.

3- Application installation control

Restricting the installation of potential security risk carrying applications helps prevent vulnerabilities.

4- Encryption for data at rest and in transit

For more on endpoint encryption

5- Secure each device’s connection

Secure network connection help sensitive data and endpoints by implementing various measures to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. Here’s more on network security best practices

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External resources

• 1. “Management Briefing:Bring your own device – Effective policies and practice” (PDF). Intel UK IT Center. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
• 2. “Understanding the Bring-Your-Own-Device landscape” (PDF). Deloitte UK. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
• 3. “Understanding the Bring-Your-Own-Device landscape” (PDF). Intel IT. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
• 4. “Granular Trust Model Improves Enterprise Security” (PDF). Intel IT. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
• 5. “Granular Trust Model Improves Enterprise Security” (PDF). Intel IT. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
• 6. “Granular Trust Model Improves Enterprise Security” (PDF). Intel IT. Retrieved April 17, 2024.