1. There are two technologies in particular which
are in themselves becoming integral to IT
operations and that are subsequently
supporting the growth in BYOD - they are
cloud computing and Virtual Private Networks
(VPNs). Whilst there are many technology
trends that are pushing the adoption of BYOD
policies, these two are providing businesses
with the key tools they need to overcome
some of the challenges that BYOD brings
with it.
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2. Connectivity and Interoperability The key to BYOD's success is
also one of its biggest hurdles and that is the variety of devices and
platforms that it introduces into the IT systems equation Users will be
hoping to connect from a broad range of devices such as laptops, tablets
and smartphones, running all manner of operating systems including the
more traditional Windows, Mac OS and Linux alongside the newer kids
on the block in the mobile sphere: iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and
Blackberry for example For organisations where the workers need to
connect to the local network, VPN is the key Tunnelling into a local area
network across a VPN can allow users to access the files and/or control
the applications on local (office) machines that they need for their daily
work regardless of the device they are using, and their location, as long
as they have an internet connection
3. Although many applications have releases which support most
operating systems it can be a real headache rolling out an application suit
across such a variety of platforms However, the all-conquering concept
of cloud computing can offer a truly interoperable application solution
More specifically Software as a Service (SaaS) offerings, such a Google
Docs or Microsoft Office 365, together with cloud storage, allow workers
to operate within the cloud and therefore seamlessly between the office
and on the go Again, the only condition to use these services is that the
user has an internet connection
4. Security Arguably the greatest challenge faced by organisations
embracing BYOD is that of security; ensuring that personal devices
aren't compromised in themselves and don't pose a security
threat to the rest of the network Allowing BYODs introduces many more
vulnerabilities at various steps in the network and so there are many
ways in which these risks can and need to be addressed The first step
is to reduce the risk of the personal device being compromised in the first
place
5. This is particularly pertinent where employees are bringing their own
device in to connect to the businesses LAN To achieve this, some
organisations have conditions of use which require that the user's
device has specific anti virus and management software installed before
it can be allowed onto the network However, the risks can also be
reduced by ensuring that personal devices are only allowed to connect to
the local network via a VPN rather than a direct connection, even when
the user is on site
6. Using a VPN is a must for users in remote locations as the secure
tunnel of a VPN prevents any information being intercepted in transit It
can be tempting for employees working off-site (or even on site) on
personal devices to email documents, for example, backwards and
forwards but the security of such communications can never be
guaranteed What's more that approach requires that at least
some work data is stored locally on the personal device - a cardinal sin in
terms of data protection
7. Again both VPNs and cloud solutions can negate the need to store local
data Using a VPN will allow the worker to operate on the local network,
accessing, working on and storing everything they need on there, rather
than on their own device Secure cloud services on the other hand can be
used to provide collaborative workspaces where users perform all their
work in cheap hosting the cloud so that colleagues, wherever they are,
can access it
8. However care should be taken to check the security measures used by
cloud providers before signing up to such services whilst the user must
also ensure that someone who misappropriates a device can't then
easily access their cloud account (through lack of device security and
stored passwords etc) All this, plus implementing measures such as
improved secure wireless networks in the work place, may result in
greater spending on IT security and connectivity, but this should, as
mentioned above, easily be offset by the direct and indirect financial
benefits experienced elsewhere across the IT budget and the business
as a whole
