As we near the end of 2020, many businesses have fully embraced the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) trend. With BYOD, staff are able to use their personal devices for work purposes such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Although it is a more efficient way for staff to perform their daily tasks, it also comes with a variety of increased risks if an efficient BYOD security solution is not implemented.
The risk of having an unsecured network
Allowing employees to connect their Android and Apple smartphones to the company network is great for increasing productivity. However, every device that is connected to the network is left wide-open to a digital attack if there are no secure BYOD security solutions in place.
For example, malware or a virus could infiltrate the network. If undetected, it will spread through the network and infect any device that is connected, resulting in private information being stolen, encrypted or destroyed completely.
It can even include a staff member losing their device, resulting in any important data stored on their phone being lost.
A much better solution
By outsourcing to an IT managed service provider, a business gains access to an experienced team of IT specialists. They can provide IT security services such as conducting an assessment of the entire company network. This will help them to detect and identify all security issues which they come across.
On top of this, their team can also design and integrate a BYOD security solution that is best suited to your business. This may include implementing platforms which give you back control over what users can connect to the network, access information and the level of access which is granted.
Tailored IT security solutions
When outsourcing to an MSP (Managed Service Provider), their team will work closely with your business to understand your exact challenges, needs and objectives. Utilising this information, they will then create and implement tailored BYOD security solutions such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network), virus protection software, the latest next-gen firewalls and more.
Having software like a VPN is vital for businesses which are using an open and unsecured network. Using a VPN will make sure that all data is protected, and also protects all devices connected to the network from digital attacks including hackers, viruses and malware.
Simple steps you can take right now to increase security
You can take some simple steps to reduce the risk of a security breach such as making a blacklist. This blacklist will contain all applications which staff are banned from installing or using due to being considered unsafe.
Also ensure that all software and applications are up-to-date, as updates are released to fix and address any security vulnerabilities. Ensuring your important data is backed is also crucial. Outsourcing to an MSP can provide you with access to off-site storage and cloud storage options.
Ensure that your business is protected and secure by turning to a managed IT service provider who can provide a BYOD security solution that is tailored to your exact needs today.