When mobile devices entered the world – first laptops, then early smartphones like the BlackBerry – the IT departments of large companies were the first to adopt them.
Today, consumers drive adoption, purchasing cutting-edge technology with their own money for their own use, pushing companies to react to the reality that their employees often have better technology at their disposal at home than they do at work.
So said Derick Roberts, CEO of wireless specialist, TruTeq Devices. He said IT departments initially refused to accept this scenario, believing it caused too much havoc – as well as potentially affecting company security.
But things are changing. Many pundits believe that companies are fighting a losing battle and that BYOD will become the way of the future.
“While the march towards more BYOD usage is inexorable, companies need to find ways to ensure security – because the use of a myriad of mobile devices could unknowingly let out many state secrets. The bottom-line is that companies are going to have to throw money at BYOD. “
“However, there is some good news for companies when it comes to users who are championing for BYOD in the work front. Almost half of American workers said they would stop using their personal devices for business if their employer required them to install a specified security application.”
This is according to a report from Harris Interactive, a market research firm, and Webroot, a cyber-security company.
“This definitely puts a positive spin on the BYOD crusade being carried out by users. If this is the case, a compromise should be reached between employers and employees.”