10 Ways to Secure Your BYOD Program

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When it comes to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs in the workplace, security is always the top concern. 

After all, with employees using their own devices to access company data, there’s a greater risk of that data being compromised. 

According to a Zippia Research Summary for 2022, 75% of employees use their personal cell phones for work.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to secure your BYOD program and keep your data safe. 

1. Require Strong Passwords 

The first step to securing your BYOD program is to require strong passwords from employees. 

This will help to prevent hackers from gaining access to devices and company data. 

To make sure passwords are strong, you can require employees to use a certain number of characters, use a mix of letters and numbers, and use special characters.

You can also require employees to change their passwords on a regular basis. 

2. Use a Mobile Device Management Solution 

Another way to secure your BYOD program is to use a mobile device management (MDM) solution. 

This type of software allows you to manage and monitor mobile devices that are connected to your network.

With an MDM solution, you can remotely lock or wipe devices if they are lost or stolen. 

You can also push updates and security patches to devices, as well as enforce policies such as password strength and screen lock timeout. 

3. Limit Access to Sensitive Data 

Another security measure you can take is to limit access to sensitive data. 

This can be done by using data loss prevention (DLP) software. 

DLP software can help you to control how data is shared, preventing it from being emailed, printed, or copied to unauthorized locations. 

4. Encrypt Data 

Another way to protect data is to encrypt it. 

This means that data is converted into a code that can only be decrypted by authorized individuals. 

When data is encrypted, even if it falls into the wrong hands, it will be much more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access it. 

Some encryption methods include:

  • Using software to encrypt a hard drive

  • Using email encryption on sensitive messages

5. Educate Employees 

It’s important to educate employees about BYOD security. 

This includes teaching them about strong passwords, how to spot phishing attempts, and what to do if their device is lost or stolen. 

By educating employees, you can help to make sure they are taking the necessary steps to keep their devices and company data safe. 

6. Use Two-Factor Authentication 

Another way to secure your BYOD program is to use two-factor authentication (2FA). 

With 2FA, employees are required to enter not only a password, but also a code that is sent to their mobile device. 

This makes it much more difficult for hackers to gain access to devices and company data. 

7. Enable Remote Wipe 

If an employee’s device is lost or stolen, you can remotely wipe it to prevent unauthorized access to company data. 

This will delete all data from the device, including any apps or files that are stored on it. 

8. Use a VPN 

A virtual private network (VPN) can also help to secure your BYOD program. 

A VPN creates a secure, encrypted connection between an employee’s device and your network. 

This helps to prevent data from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals. 

9. Keep Devices Updated 

It’s also important to keep devices updated. This includes installing security patches and updating applications. 

By keeping devices updated, you can help to prevent vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. 

10. Use a Trusted Source for Apps 

Finally, make sure employees only download apps from trusted sources. 

This includes official app stores such as the App Store or Google Play. There are also enterprise app stores that offer vetted, business-ready apps. 

By using a trusted source for apps, you can help to prevent employees from downloading malicious apps that could compromise company data. 

Is your BYOD program secure? 

BYOD programs can be a great way to improve productivity and allow employees to work from anywhere. 

By taking these security measures, you can help to keep your company’s data safe.

Need help securing your own BYOD Program?

Schedule a free consultation today! Call 260-918-3548 or reach out online.