BYOD security risks and tips: 2025 update

Remote and hybrid business models are here to stay, making personal devices a permanent gateway to company data. Nearly 70% of businesses now have bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policies in place, enabling employees to use personal smartphones, laptops, or tablets to access work systems and apps. 

BYOD goes beyond convenience for many organizations. In fact, 87% of companies rely on employees accessing work-related apps from their smartphones or other mobile devices. And while more than two-thirds of IT professionals see BYOD as a net benefit, they also pose a growing list of security threats. 

Adopting best practices for BYOD management and implementing comprehensive endpoint management solutions are just a few of the ways organizations can stay ahead of the potential vulnerabilities BYOD can unlock. 

Here’s what every IT team should know about BYOD security risks, including actionable strategies for tackling them head-on. 

Key takeaways

• Bringing personal devices into the workforce via BYOD policies introduces security gaps that can be difficult to monitor and challenging to contain. 

• Unclear BYOD policies and inconsistent device management are prime enablers of cyberthreats. 

• Lost or stolen BYOD devices often lack remote wipe capability, making them critical breach points. 

• Best practices such as containerization and mobile device management (MDM) help secure corporate data without invading personal privacy. 

• Security awareness training and zero trust models are essential to protect hybrid and remote BYOD environments. 

• Comprehensive endpoint management solutions, such as RMM software, can help organizations navigate the risks posed by BYOD policies by streamlining device management and introducing proactive security measures. 

Why BYOD policies exist

Despite the risks, BYOD policies have become fixtures in the modern workplace. The surge in remote and hybrid work models has only increased their appeal.  

• Employee satisfaction and cost efficiency: BYOD policies give employees the comfort and flexibility of using their preferred devices, boosting productivity while lowering employers’ equipment costs.  

• Productivity and innovation gains: Employees tend to invest more in personal devices with cutting-edge technologies that can positively impact business operations and innovation. They’re also familiar with these devices, often shortening the learning curve. 

• Balancing benefits with security: BYOD creates challenges for uniform end user support and endpoint security. Safeguarding corporate data on personal devices is critical, and IT departments must implement robust security measures such as password protection, patching and/or OS version requirements,  EDR/MDR, and data separation to mitigate risks. 

BYOD security risks

As organizations embrace BYOD policies, they open themselves to a range of risks that may compromise sensitive data and expose the company to critical vulnerabilities. Here are some of the key BYOD security risks and the potential consequences. 

Data compromise

BYOD introduces the risk of data compromise due to the mingling of personal and business data on the same device. This can lead to accidental leaks, unauthorized access, and breaches of confidential information. While a recent survey found that 67.7% of businesses experience significant data loss, unsecured personal devices only raise the odds. 

Employee-owned laptops and smartphones may lack the level of security oversight of company-issued hardware. Additionally, employees working remotely access sensitive workplace data from beyond the corporate network, creating data leakage opportunities not typically seen in a controlled corporate environment.  

IT teams can explore more in-depth data loss prevention (DLP) applications and procedures to counter these risks.  

Malware/ransomware

Personal devices rarely meet the stringent security standards of company-managed devices, making them susceptible to malware and ransomware attacks. Users may inadvertently download malicious apps or click on phishing links, jeopardizing personal and corporate data. 

Once a personal device is infected, it can become a launchpad for malware within the corporate network. From there, malware can move laterally, accessing internal systems and exfiltrating sensitive data before it’s detected. 

Personal/business mixed use

Intermingling personal and business activities on a single device raises the risk of accidental data leakage. Employees might inadvertently share confidential information via personal communication channels or file-sharing apps. 

This creates complex security challenges for IT teams. Managing backups, access, and data deletion is difficult when business data is scattered across apps and channels that they can’t fully control. And when devices are personal property, IT can’t always intervene without raising privacy concerns. 

Unclear policies

Ambiguities in BYOD policies can arise from inadequate definitions, vague terms, or inconsistencies in rules. For example, if a policy instructs employees to “avoid unsecured networks” but doesn't specify what qualifies as “unsecured,” employees may inadvertently connect to risky public Wi-Fi networks. 

This kind of behavior is low-hanging fruit for potential cyberattacks. BYOD devices are already at risk due to increased potential for access from outside the corporate network. Add security workarounds or ignored protocols, and those devices become prime entry points for attackers. And, as with malware, once malicious actors or code infiltrate endpoints, it’s hard to stop their spread. 

Lost/stolen devices

Lost or stolen devices potentially expose sensitive information to misuse. It’s not uncommon for devices like tablets, smartphones, or laptops to go missing, which can put sensitive business data at risk.  

Complicating the issue is that many organizations are not actively using remote wipe and mobile device management for BYOD connected devices when stolen or lost. This exposes organizations to more than just the risk of data loss. Any corporate network connections or cloud installations are prime access points for digital threat actors to launch additional attacks against your clients, leading to even larger data leakages or network intrusions.  

Shadow IT

Unauthorized BYOD can also lead to shadow IT, the use of personal devices and applications without IT’s knowledge or control. According to Cisco Systems, 1 in 5 organizations have experienced cyber events stemming from unsanctioned IT resources, underscoring the gravity of this concern. 

Data risk is just the tip of the shadow IT iceberg. Critical business operations like incident response and legal compliance become daunting when IT cannot verify where data is stored or accessed from. In the case of an actual data breach, inability to secure or restore data across a myriad of unsanctioned BYOD endpoints can be a threat to business continuity. 

Human error/lack of training

Insufficient training on secure BYOD practices can lead to human errors that compromise data security. Employees might unknowingly expose sensitive data through improper app usage or weak security practices. 

Outdated software is another common issue. While patching operating systems and apps is a basic cybersecurity practice, BYOD shifts that responsibility to the individual. Many employees simply don’t update their devices regularly, creating vulnerabilities IT can’t directly control. 

Device management issues

The diverse mix of devices, operating systems, and configurations makes managing BYOD devices challenging. This lack of uniformity makes implementing consistent security protocols a challenge.  

Even basic tasks, like patch management or enabling encryption, can be inconsistent across the fleet. This creates security gaps and vulnerabilities that can be exploited by threat actors, and IT teams may have limited insight or control when issues do arise. 

Unsecured access

Any time a mobile device or laptop connects to a public Wi-Fi network, there is a chance that sensitive company data can be exposed to potential interception.  

Networks like those in coffee shops or hotels are often unencrypted or poorly secured, making it easy for attackers to eavesdrop on traffic or impersonate legitimate access points if communication security is not in place. These infiltrations can lead to damaging cyberattacks, such as man-in-the-middle breaches or malware injection. 

Insider threats

BYOD policies can increase the likelihood of insider threats. It doesn’t matter if an employee is still with the organization. Sensitive information lingering on a personal device creates the potential for intentional or accidental misuse.  

BYOD is particularly vulnerable to insider threats because employees often work outside an organization’s physical and network boundaries. Without visibility into how that access is used, insider activity can go undetected until it’s too late. 

Compliance issues

Unsanctioned BYOD can lead to compliance challenges in sensitive sectors like healthcare and education. Organizations in these industries, for example, must adhere to regulatory standards like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Non-compliance can result in legal consequences and reputational damage. 

As organizations navigate the benefits and challenges of BYOD policies, it’s vital to recognize these security risks and develop robust strategies to mitigate them. For more insights into managing today’s top cybersecurity threats, download our MSP Threat Report. 

How IT teams can help manage BYOD security risks

To effectively navigate the security risks of BYOD and bolster endpoint security, IT teams need to proactively implement strategies that reinforce device security and overall organizational well-being. Here are some key examples: 

1. Enhancing security: Encourage your organization to adopt best practices and tools that enforce proactive security measures for their BYOD environment. Modern endpoint management solutions like RMM software can help proactively identify and resolve vulnerabilities across endpoints as the attack surface increases. Many endpoint management solutions can also integrate with endpoint security solutions like EDR, MDR, and SIEM for enhanced visibility and protection.
   Example: Use RMM to deploy third-party patching across all of your endpoints, and implement a patch management policy to reduce risk and encourage consistency. 
2. Data management guidance: Offer best practices for effective data management, protection, and recovery.  A cornerstone of integrating BYOD into a business environment includes a comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery (BDCR) strategy. Provide insights into data redundancy, disaster recovery, and data segregation. Drawing on your experience managing cloud-based solutions, guide organizations to ensure data integrity and availability. 
   Example: Use extra layers of data protection, immutable, air-gapped backups, and proactive data integrity checks to ensure you’re always ready in the event of a disaster.  
3. Compliance expertise: Leverage your deep understanding of compliance models and regulations to guide organizations in managing BYOD compliance. Assist in audit management and help align your organization’s BYOD policies with regulatory standards to ensure adherence and minimize legal risks. 
   Example: Ensure backup integrity to prevent data loss and streamline documentation in the event of compliance audits.  
4. Zero trust implementation: Advocate for a zero trust model in your BYOD strategy, emphasizing that this approach assumes no device or user is trustworthy by default. By requiring rigorous verification for every device and user accessing the network, even if they are within an organization's physical premises, you enhance endpoint security. This rigorous validation minimizes unauthorized access and data breaches in a BYOD environment. 
   Example: Solutions like privileged access management (PAM) software support a zero trust environment by applying least privilege and role-based access controls. This ensures employees can only access what is necessary for their role. 
5. Unified endpoint management (UEM): Implement UEM systems that streamline the management of both personal and company-owned devices. By helping your clients exert control over app installations and access to untrusted sources, UEM systems enhance device security and application integrity. 
   Example: Use UEM to restrict the downloading of non-approved apps from personal devices' work profiles. 
6. Employee training and education: Collaborate with your clients or teams to design and deliver regular security training programs for employees. Empower teams to recognize potential threats, adhere to best practices, and use their devices securely. Education is a critical tool in mitigating BYOD risks. 
   Example: Conduct quarterly simulations that test employee responsiveness to phishing emails or fake login pages. 
7. Clear BYOD policies and agreements: Guide your clients in crafting clear and comprehensive BYOD policies that outline expectations, consequences, and compliance measures. Help establish written agreements with employees to foster a mutual understanding of responsibilities and accountability. 
   Example: Include a checklist with each policy that outlines steps for reporting a lost or stolen device. 
8. Authentication and identity management: Emphasize proper sign-on and authentication methods to bolster the foundation of a secure BYOD ecosystem. Implement identity providers and multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access. 
   Example: Implement multi-factor authentication requiring both user credentials and a MFA app (Duo, Microsoft Authenticator, etc.) that supports users approving or denying access. 
9. Lifecycle management: Streamline the onboarding and offboarding of employees by centralizing identity management. Simplify granting and revoking access across multiple systems to ensure comprehensive security and compliance throughout an employee's tenure. 
   Example: Use identity management software that links with HR databases to automatically revoke access to ex-employees upon termination. 

The right tools make all the difference in executing these BYOD strategies effectively. Endpoint management solutions make it possible for IT teams to keep visibility into all employee devices, proactively looking for potential risk factors and BYOD policy violationsSolutions for effective BYOD risk management

A comprehensive BYOD security solution addresses multiple aspects to ensure a holistic approach to endpoint security management. Here's a closer look at key security measures that contribute to an effective BYOD security strategy: 

1. Encryption for data protection: Encryption guarantees the security of sensitive files, even in scenarios of device theft. 
2. Containerization for segregation: Containerization, often paired with mobile device management, isolates a secure portion of the device with distinct policies and preserves personal device use while eliminating the risk of non-compliant apps affecting company security. 
3. Whitelisting and blacklisting: Whitelisting (now known as a safelist, permitlist or approvedlist) permits access only to pre-approved applications, enhancing security by avoiding potentially risky apps. Conversely, blacklisting (now known as a blocklist or disapprovedlist) blocks specific apps deemed hazardous to enterprise security or productivity. While effective, both approaches require careful consideration to balance security and personal device use.  

Ultimately, minimizing the inherent security risks of BYOD policies requires an approach to endpoint management that involves a mix of education, processes, and tools. With greater visibility into endpoint health and threats, MSPs and SMBs can keep corporate data safe and secure without compromising employee privacy. 

ConnectWise RMM is a comprehensive solution for endpoint management, offering intelligent monitoring and alerting, patch management, and network monitoring capabilities from a single dashboard. By unifying endpoint management into a centralized solution, MSPs and IT teams can proactively secure their endpoints—including BYOD devices— from vulnerabilities and threats.   

See what streamlined endpoint management looks like in action with a free 30-day trial of ConnectWise RMM.