An Survey released today indicated that 70% of employees would not use their personal devices for work if they had knowledge that their employer could remotely wipe or lock that device. 70% !! It’s clear that employees are beginning to recognize that just downloading their work email onto their personal devices such as phones, tablets and laptops means the Enterprise will want to secure that information, and that this is often done in an overbearing, infringement of privacy fashion. Not that Enterprises are trying to interfere with their employees privacy, they are simply trying to protect their data in any way possible, and in the past, most MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions have been similar to a linebacker knocking over a toddler to get the ball.
Eweek.com reported that “more than 75 percent of enterprises in the survey were unable to meet eight out of 10 of their current top security requirements– this was combined with the fact that only 11 percent of employees are aware of the current level of enterprise control over their device.”
So what happens as more and more employees gain awareness of the tight infringements on their personal devices? Lack of compliancy, which leads to vulnerability of sensitive data, which can of course lead to – disaster for the Enterprise.
The study of 1,000 IT person; and 1,000 employees, conducted by research firm Harris Interactive, found that 83 percent of staff would stop using their own device or still use it with deep concern, if they knew their employer could see what they were doing at all times.
So what’s the Solution? Enterprises SHOULD protect their data on devices that leave the office, but the level of intrusion on an employee’s personal device needs to be kept in check too, to make sure employees will not feel intruded upon and actually be compliant. The first step is to use a product/service that uses the minimum security necessary; in many cases there is no need for an Enterprise to monitor which websites employees visit or what games they install. Keep the Enterprise’s data separate (sandboxed) and manage it that way – it is really more the management of the DATA versus the management of the device. The second step is discussing these policies with the employees, so that they have full knowledge of what these policies entail and how it affects their personal devices. Engage your employees in the solution, versus thrusting it upon them.
Yes, these email policies ARE necessary. But they don’t need to necessarily infringe on your rights – there are solutions out there (our own Cockpit, for one, and likely others, in the future) that are cost-effective, keep company data safe and maintain your privacy. Win-Win!
Nitrodesk 