Dell World: Firms urged to focus on data not iOS and Android devices for BYOD

AUSTIN: PC maker Dell has criticised businesses for their misguided focus on bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategies.

Dell executives claimed business' current focus on securing tablets and smartphones is misguided and is distracting them from more serious information security problems, during a round table discussion at Dell World 2012 on Tuesday.

Dell director of enterprise mobility solutions Roger Bjork, claimed that while smartphones and tablets have changed the way people work, their implementation is systematic of a wider change in the business world.

"Today you have many kinds of devices, many different platforms, iOS, Mac [...] This wild west of devices and needs is causing us to rethink the business model," said Bjork.

"But if we think of it as just a shiny object it's a disservice, it's really a workplace evolution [...] it's a much wider topic."

Bjork's sentiment was mirrored by Dell SonicWall chief executive Patrick Sweeney.

"It's not about the device, it's about the information," concurred Sweeney.

"Here's some bad news for everyone in IT, you can't put the solution in one particular place. I wish I could stand up here and tell you that the answer was one single box that would solve BYOD. It doesn't exist and it's not going to exist."

Dell claimed "BYOx" as a more effective solution to the problem, claiming its cross service approach is better suited to protect businesses networks.

BYOx is a buzz term for an alternative app and information approach to device management that can be applied to devices and systems other than smartphones and tablets.

"With BYOx it's about the information [...] At Dell World you're going to start to see products that start to bring together this idea of interconnected security," said Sweeney.

Sweeney went on to claim such an approach will give companies a more holistic view of their network, letting them monitor and manage multiple security solutions from a centralised "single pane of glass" view point. 

Prior to Sweeney's comments, company founder Michael Dell said cyber security would be a key growth area for Dell, during a press pre-briefing.