What is BYOD, and how does it benefit companies?

Bring-your-own-Device or BYOD is a practice many businesses are adopting that allows their employees to use their personal devices (laptops, smartphones, tablets) for work purposes. While the concept is widely used especially in the U.S., some aspects can make this practice dangerous for businesses if they don’t have the proper data security and legal policies in place. One of the reasons BYOD has become so popular is that it saves businesses money as they no longer have to purchase expensive devices for their employees. Many businesses have also seen an increase in productivity when their staff have devices that they can use for work and personal reasons. Another benefit that many businesses have noted when staff are allowed to use their own devices is that it makes remote work or working from home a valid option. This can have another knock-back effect on a business’s finances as they can save on overhead costs from renting (or purchasing) large office spaces, boardrooms, etc. However, there are also BYOD problems and legal aspects before jumping on the bandwagon.

What legal aspects should you consider when opting for BYOD?

BYOD problems can cause a company major legal litigation if the business isn’t aware of the potential risks and has policies and practices in place to mitigate those risks. In the case of allowing employees to use personal devices for work, many BYOD legal aspects should be considered and laid out for all to see and understand. Some of the questions that spark these concerns include: Who’s responsible for paying for a device? What if the device breaks; who is responsible for covering the repair costs? If a device has to be upgraded, who will cover those costs? Although these concerns are very financially motivated, other concerns also cover data protection, privacy, and more.