BYOD Privacy Concerns: Risks and Solutions

70% of employees today use the same devices they have at home for work – whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. While  bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs are  a good thing - improves employee satisfaction and reduces costs - they also present new risks.  In fact, one study found that companies can save over $300 per employee each year by allowing BYOD policies.

However, IT teams need to be prepared to tackle Data leakage and malware infections are just the tip of the iceberg . Unfortunately, companies often struggle to implement effective security measures for BYOD strategies. This is because they’re dealing with another issue: privacy. 

How do you secure sensitive information and reduce BYOD risk while respecting your employees’ rights?

BYOD Privacy Concerns: The Privacy-Security Paradox

BYOD privacy concerns are difficult for any company to navigate. On the one hand, employees love being able to use their personal devices at work. After all, they’re convenient and familiar. However, ignoring this increases the risk of staff bringing their devices and using them secretly. This can lead to even greater data security risks and threats. 

Companies still need to shield corporate data from potential breaches. This is to avoid compliance issues, fines, and serious financial repercussions. That means they need to exert a certain level of control over an employee-owned device. The problem is identifying the right level of control is complex.

Stringent controls might safeguard data but can feel intrusive to employees. It can lead to backlash and dissatisfaction. Too little control, on the other hand, leaves companies vulnerable to malware infections and data breaches. 

There are many legal and cultural implications to consider. Surveillance concerns in particular top the list. Most employees are naturally uncomfortable with the thought of their employer monitoring their device usage. It can seem like an invasion of privacy when the company can track locations or access personal content.

Without clear boundaries, organizations risk “overstepping” their rights. This can lead to poor employee morale and potential turnover. What’s more, it contributes to Shadow IT violations and compliance issues. 

Device Monitoring and Surveillance Concerns

Let’s dive deeper into the BYOD privacy conundrum with a closer look at BYOD device monitoring and surveillance issues. Many employees worry that enrolling their personal devices into BYOD programs means giving companies access to their personal data. These include private conversations, phone calls, browsing history, and even GPS locations.

It’s not an unreasonable concern. It’s true that many mobile device security tools track a lot of data. What’s more is that they don't always distinguish between personal information and relevant corporate insights. If employees are concerned they’re going to be watched at all times, they’re less likely to comply with a BYOD security policy.

Ultimately, companies need to walk the fine line between BYOD security and respecting employee boundaries. While the intention of monitoring is to ensure compliance and safeguard corporate data, gathering too much information erodes trust and morale. 

The best way to minimize issues and improve BYOD adoption rates is to focus on transparency. Create a clear BYOD policy and share it with teams. Let them know exactly what you’re going to be monitoring and why. Crucially, don’t just create the policy – follow it. Never gather more data than you really need.

The Data Overlap Issue: Personal and Blurred Data

Companies often struggle with BYOD privacy concerns because it can be hard to set boundaries between personal and corporate data. Today’s employees often use the same apps and email addresses for their personal and professional lives. 

It’s easy for an employee to accidentally back-up work data to a personal cloud storage system when they’re saving vacation photos. They may also inadvertently share personal information in a business email. The problem becomes even worse when an employee actually leaves the business. During the “offboarding” process, most companies with a BYOD environment need to wipe sensitive work data from devices.

After all, the last thing you want is for your ex-employees to create data breaches. But, wiping a device that’s used for work and personal life remotely isn’t easy. Sometimes, your security solution can end up eliminating personal data too. 

The easiest solution to this problem is maintaining a strong line between personal and corporate operations. Solutions like Hypori go beyond MDM and MAM solutions by creating virtualized environments for work. That way, there’s no risk of data overlap. Employee privacy can be preserved while companies tackle BYOD security risks.

Inconsistent or Insecure Network Usage

Companies can’t always control which networks their employees use to access sensitive data, files, and apps. We’re all guilty of connecting personal devices to public Wi-Fi  when sending a quick email.

Public networks might be convenient, but they’re far from secure. In fact, they’re usually a playground for cybercriminals. Without a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or strong endpoint protection, the data transmitted over these networks can easily be intercepted. 

This means that sensitive company information could end up with any hacker lurking on the same network. ​

It’s not just the risk of an employee accidentally logging into an insecure network that companies need to be aware of. Employees can engage in a lot of risky behavior without thinking. For example, ignoring critical software updates, using anti-virus checkers, or leaving their devices unattended.

Educating employees on each security measure they should be taking is a good first step. But you can’t always guarantee that your teams will follow your instructions. 

Unauthorized Access to Corporate Apps or Data

Employee-owned devices are shareable. It’s so easy to let your family members or friends borrow your phone to make a call or play a game. After a few unintended taps, these people could end up accidentally accessing a confidential app or work email. 

Family members stumbling onto a work email might not seem like a huge security threat. But it does create compliance concerns for companies with strict regulatory guidelines. Beyond that, companies can’t always control who will gain access to the device. 

If someone misplaces a smartphone or tablet, or it’s stolen by a criminal, anyone could gain access to sensitive information. That’s particularly true if you don’t have strong security controls in place, like multi-factor authentication. In fact, many companies rely on MDM solutions with remote wiping capabilities for precisely this reason. 

However, accessing remote wiping solutions also means only removing the sensitive data – without touching personal files on the device.

Handling Legal and Compliance Violations

Using personal devices for work can introduce legal and compliance concerns. For instance, regulations like GDPR and HIPAA set strict rules about how data should be stored and accessed.

Uncontrolled BYOD strategies can blur these boundaries. It can be harder to ensure sensitive information is properly protected. For instance, an employee accessing patient records on an unencrypted personal laptop could inadvertently violate HIPAA's security provisions.

When a security incident occurs with a mixed-use device, the overlap between personal and corporate data can also make incident response difficult. Determining how to control the threat without harming personal data can be extremely difficult. 

Even maintaining a robust audit trail in various industries can be difficult. Companies can face limitations on how much information they can collect from a device according to privacy standards. Without complete records, it’s much harder for teams to defend themselves in legal battles. 

How to Manage BYOD Privacy Concerns

Dealing with BYOD privacy concerns while simultaneously minimizing security risks isn’t easy. Companies need to develop strategies that protect sensitive data, fight back against unsecure access, and adhere to compliance standards – all without overstepping.

The easiest strategy? Combine privacy-first architecture with robust, clear, and transparent BYOD policies (and training). 

Embracing Privacy-First Architectures

Many of the biggest BYOD security risks stem from the weak boundary between “personal” and “corporate”. Privacy-first architecture solutions, like those offered by Hypori, address this issue. These solutions overcome security and legal concerns by separating personal content and corporate data. 

With containerization, companies can create secure, isolated environments within a personal device. These are specifically intended for work-related applications and data. If a device is stolen and someone gains access to personal files, they can access corporate systems.

Virtualization takes this to the next level by hosting the corporate operating system and applications on a secure, centralized server. This means employees can access their work environments remotely, but the data is never actually stored on the device. 

These solutions can also intersect with VPNs and other security solutions. This way, companies maintain comprehensive control over sensitive information while respecting employee privacy. They don’t even need to rely on invasive MDM apps. 

Establishing Clear Policies and Providing Training

The right architecture for separating corporate and personal data is crucial. But it’s only the first step. Strong policies and training are both crucial for setting expectations and maintaining transparency. 

BYOD policies should clearly outline who is responsible for monitoring information on an employee’s device. It should also outline what they’re monitoring and why. Employees should know for certain that you’re just paying attention to work-related data.  This way, they’re not going to worry that you’re going to be browsing through their personal photos.

That means they’re more likely to comply with the standards you set. Policies are even more likely to have a positive impact when you’re clear about how you’re going to protect your team’s data. Be clear about the steps you’re taking, such as using virtualization or containerization. It also helps to and answer any questions they might have. 

Beyond creating clear policies, commit to effective onboarding and training. Show new employees how to protect their devices, access secure systems, and maintain the gap between their personal and corporate lives. 

Show them you’re invested in their safety. You can do this through regular training updates covering strategies for addressing new threats, like phishing attacks or malware infections. That’s how you highlight that you’re not just “snooping” on your team members – you’re keeping them and the business safe.

Balancing BYOD Privacy Concerns with Security

These days, companies can’t just “stop” employees from using their personal devices in the workplace – even if they wanted to. They also can’t ignore the security risks that come with mixed-use devices. However, implementing a strong security strategy doesn’t have to mean ignoring your employees’ right to privacy. 

The easy answer is to take a balanced approach. Combine clear and transparent BYOD policies with an architectural solution that combines data protection with employee privacy. The lines between work and personal devices might be blurring, but data should remain separate.

Do you need help navigating BYOD privacy concerns while adhering to your industry’s compliance and security standards? Contact Hypori today to find out how our tailor-made solutions can support your security strategy and your team, and get a custom quote. 

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