Security and cost key barriers to allowing use of personal devices at work

New research has highlighted a growing trend of personal devices being used in the workplace, and the loss of equipment and lack of coherent policy around mobile device management have become major problems.

Internet service provider Timico surveyed a range of small and medium sized firms and found that three-quarters are concerned about employees bringing their own device into work.

These fears appear well founded, given that just under a third had lost between 20 and 100 devices in the past year, while 42 per cent said that up to 20 per cent were lost or stolen.

However, it is also clear that firms are doing themselves no favours. Around a third said that they don't have a policy to deal with bring-your-own-device practices in the workplace.

Trefor Davies, chief technology officer at Timico, told V3 that security, risk and cost are all major concerns for companies considering such initiatives, but that most now "recognise there's a tide they cannot stem".

Davies emphasised the importance of having tools in place to manage devices from one pane of glass, but warned that there are several hurdles to be overcome to make it work.

Legal, HR, finance and IT teams all need to be involved in drawing up policy at an early stage, he advised, and employees need to know that they must give up certain privileges if they are to be allowed to use their own devices at work.

"If you're asking a member of staff that you effectively want to take control of their device it is a bit of a leap of faith for that staff member, and there is a certain mindset that needs to be overcome," Davies said.

"However, there are case studies with employees lapping it up. They appreciate that the company has seen a problem and is doing something about it."

Davies added that much of the consumerisation of enterprise IT has been brought about because traditionally strong enterprise device manufacturers such as RIM and Nokia have fallen by the wayside.

"The kit you can get now as a consumer is far ahead of the business equivalent," he said.

Research from Dell KACE this week backs up many of Timico's findings. A whopping 90 per cent of employees use personal devices at work, but two-thirds have security concerns about this trend.

More than half said their organisation lacks the necessary tools to effectively manage these devices.

Timico and Dell KACE have a vested commercial interest in highlighting the need for better mobile device management, but the consumerisation of IT is certainly not going away and IT managers in all companies will have to confront it sooner or later.

15 Sep 2011