The bring-your-own-device trend has garnered headlines in the business world over the last few years. However, according to a recent study, it may no longer be a growing trend – it could officially be an industry standard.
According to a survey conducted by Cisco, which polled 1,000 full time employees, 90 percent of American workers use their personal smartphones for work. While it may seem like the entire corporate world has shifted to welcome mobile devices with open arms, the rest of the numbers found in the report show a different trend that is a bit surprising.
The study found that only 10 percent of respondents reported receiving a stipend or financial backing from their employer to help them get the smartphone that they are using for work purposes. From a company standpoint, it makes sense, since smartphone and tablets are already in the hands of employees. However, it does lead to additional security concerns.
Even the most basic of security protocols like password protection are only used by 32 percent of those surveyed. Furthermore, 52 percent said they have used an unsecured wireless network to access the internet.
"These issues can and should be rectified with some very basic phone security training – workers must understand that the freedom of using their own smartphones for work comes with some responsibility," reads a CITEWorld piece about the survey. "IT can also take precautions to hide enterprise data in secure apps that require a user ID and password to access, and which shut down when the user lock screen comes on."
Despite a majority of employees using their own mobile devices for work, companies are still trying to catch up with their protocols and practices. This is where an IT consulting firm that is familiar with the likes of an iPad deployment can become a valuable resource.
