A bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy defines how personally owned hardware can be used for work within an organization. And with personal devices now a permanent fixture in corporate environments, they’ve become increasingly prevalent in recent years, introducing unprecedented challenges for IT.
Allowing personal devices to access networks and/or company data, even with a formal BYOD policy, expands an organization’s attack surface and complicates control over endpoints you don’t own. Even with proactive attack surface management tools and strategies in place, unmanaged endpoints are more complex to patch and monitor since IT teams do not have access to the systems to determine current patching levels or to initiate patch updates remotely.
Many IT teams address this challenge head-on by leveraging a centralized endpoint management solution, then establishing—and enforcing—BYOD policy rules. The best practices below outline how IT teams can build and maintain a framework that delivers flexibility and maintains employee privacy while minimizing the risk to company data.
Key takeaways
- A BYOD policy sets the rules for how authorized users connect personal devices to corporate resources while protecting company data.
- BYOD can reduce a business’s hardware costs and improve flexibility, but it also comes with greater security risks.
- Strong policies are necessary to outline device requirements, access rules, and clear incident response steps.
- Strong multi-authentication practices and limiting access based on job roles are an essential piece of an effective BYOD policy.
- Practicing endpoint management with a broader remote monitoring and management (RMM) solution centralizes control and speeds up incident response.
What is a BYOD policy?
A BYOD policy is an IT policy that governs how employees and other authorized users within an organization can use personal electronic devices, such as laptops and smartphones, to perform their work duties. It also details the BYOD management security requirements that must be followed to protect corporate resources.
While the specifics of such policies differ between organizations, many share core elements:
- Device protocols: The minimum technical requirements personal devices must meet before connecting to the corporate network, such as having the latest operating system version, security configurations, patching levels, and approved security software.
- Authorized uses: The specific work‑related activities allowed on personal devices to ensure compliance and limit risk.
- Privacy rights: The boundaries governing how corporate IT can access, monitor, and manage personal devices used for work to protect the privacy of employees and corporate information.
- Protocols for lost and stolen devices: The predefined process for responding to lost or stolen devices, including steps to protect company data and maintain security.
- Onboarding/offboarding procedures: The standardized process for granting and revoking access to corporate systems for employees, contractors, and other authorized users.
Organizations adopt BYOD policies for reasons ranging from reduced hardware spend to faster onboarding and higher employee satisfaction. However, without strict oversight, the security and compliance risks can outweigh these benefits. For this reason, many IT teams complement their BYOD policies with mobile device management (MDM) or remote monitoring and management (RMM) software for increased control and improved visibility into the health of their endpoints.
BYOD policy pros and cons
Adopting a BYOD policy delivers measurable benefits, but it also introduces operational and security challenges that can’t be ignored.
Pros:
- Potential cost savings: Cuts or eliminates the need to issue company-owned devices.
- Faster onboarding: Employees already know how to use their personal devices, minimizing setup and training time.
- Access to up-to-date technology: Employees often bring devices with more current specs than corporate-issued models.
- Improved satisfaction and productivity: People tend to work more efficiently on devices they’re comfortable with.
Cons:
- Greater security risks: Personal devices may lack encryption, endpoint protection, or timely patching, which are some of the most common BYOD security risks.
- More complex IT management: Supporting a wide range of devices and operating systems can strain IT teams and increase costs.
- Privacy concerns: Employees may be wary of company oversight on their personal devices.
- Compliance issues: Industry regulations can make securing and monitoring personal devices more challenging.
Best practices to support a BYOD policy
While introducing a BYOD policy to an organization exposes additional risks, IT teams can take steps to mitigate them. Here are several best practices to keep in mind as you develop and implement BYOD initiatives.
Reference/build from an existing policy template
Developing a BYOD policy can be time-intensive, but you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You can start with a reputable BYOD policy template or proven framework that includes the common key elements, such as acceptable use guidelines, device protocols, and privacy rights.
From there, you can adapt it to fit your organization’s unique environment, workflows, and risk profile. The process will still require time and careful attention, but the template gives you a head start and helps to ensure you include the main components.
Log, monitor, and audit devices regularly
An effective BYOD policy starts with rigorous device management that ensures all devices are accounted for and in compliance. Maintain a centralized inventory tied to your professional services automation (PSA) software or RMM software so you can provision or revoke permissions the moment devices are added or retired.
Enable continuous logging and monitoring to detect anomalies like unusual network activity, installation of unauthorized apps, or missed security updates before they escalate. Complement this with scheduled audits, ideally every quarter or biannually, to validate compliance with your BYOD security standards.
Build an authentication standard minimum
With BYOD, lost or stolen devices are a constant risk. Plan for that scenario by enforcing a minimum authentication standard that goes beyond a simple password. For example, you can require biometric authentication on compatible devices and mandate multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all connections to sensitive systems.
Strong authentication safeguards sensitive data and supports regulatory compliance. Above all, it reinforces a culture of security across the organization.
Adopt the principle of least privilege
The principle of least privilege (PoLP) limits user access to only what’s required for a person to perform their job, nothing more. For example, a marketing contractor might need access to shared design files but need to be restricted from archived project folders, historical client proposals, and internal training materials.
Enforcing PoLP in a BYOD environment minimizes unnecessary data exposure and reduces the impact of compromised accounts. As part of a broader zero trust security model, it also assumes that no device or user is inherently trusted, even if they are already inside the network.
Utilizing privileged access management (PAM) software can help reinforce BYOD policies by establishing clear access tiers, performing regular permission audits, and promptly revoking access that is no longer required.
Have a plan in the event of a privacy breach
Even robust BYOD security measures can’t guarantee immunity from breaches or data leaks, so your BYOD policy must include a clear and actionable incident response plan. Within it, define exactly what to do if a device is compromised, such as remotely locking or wiping it, resetting credentials, and removing network access.
Support these actions with a tested data backup strategy to restore critical data quickly and minimize downtime, coupled with managed detection response (MDR) software or endpoint detection and response (EDR) software to help identify and respond to malicious behavior from BYOD endpoints.
The goal of a breach response is always twofold: contain the damage immediately and restore normal operations as soon as possible. A well-documented plan strengthens overall business continuity and resilience while demonstrating due diligence to regulators, partners, and clients.
Check for shadow IT
Shadow IT refers to any software, hardware, or IT resources used by authorized users within an organization’s environment without IT’s approval or oversight. In BYOD environments, this often takes the form of cloud app sprawl, which is the unapproved use of SaaS tools like personal Dropbox, Google Drive, or messaging software.
Because shadow IT operates outside of IT’s visibility, it introduces unmonitored vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit. Mitigation starts with a BYOD policy that defines approved devices, applications, and software, and explicitly prohibits anything that’s not approved. You can then enforce compliance through logging, monitoring, and periodic audits.
Reinforce your BYOD policy with endpoint management solutions from ConnectWise
Even the most clearly defined BYOD policies can introduce security risks and vulnerabilities, and securing data across numerous endpoints can be daunting when relying on manual processes, disjointed systems, and a patchwork of data. Endpoint management solutions simplify these operations, enabling IT teams to monitor and manage every device in the environment from a single, unified management pane.
ConnectWise RMM is a comprehensive solution that goes beyond basic endpoint monitoring, providing IT with powerful automation and scripting capabilities to help improve efficiency, enable better security, and improve overall IT operations. With integrated solutions to support remote monitoring, privileged access management, and endpoint security, your IT team can close BYOD security gaps while improving operational efficiency.
Watch a demo today to see how our award-winning RMM can help complement your BYOD policy and safeguard your critical data.
