Bring Your Own Device
Employment Guideline
According to a global study in 2011 by the Aberdeen group, 75% of the 415 companies surveyed allow their employees to use their own device e.g. laptops, tablets and smart phones, for business purposes. Similarly, a survey by BT in 2012 of 2,000 IT users and managers in 11 countries found that more than four out of five companies surveyed permit their employees to connect their own device to the corporate network or will do so within the next two years. This trend is commonly referred to as ‘bring your own device’ (BYOD).
The trend now has the attention of the Information Commissioner who has recently published guidance to promote good practice.
BYOD gives rise to a number of practical and legal issues. This Inbrief considers the main issues that employers should consider when rolling-out a BYOD scheme and sets out possible solutions and practical tips for dealing with them.