{"id":63225,"date":"2022-05-19T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=63225"},"modified":"2024-11-14T19:16:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:16:54","slug":"byod-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/byod-risks","title":{"rendered":"Top 4 Risks of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a user-centric movement, the BYOD trend<\/a> appears unstoppable. Fueled by hybrid working environments, BYOD<\/a> is here to stay and companies need to find ways to address the risks posed by shadow IT systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this post, we\u2019ll explore some of the most significant BYOD risks companies face today and how an effective mobile device management (MDM<\/a>) solution can help you mitigate those risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Significant BYOD Security Risks Organizations Face Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Security has always been a multi-faceted issue for organizations that leverage mobile device strategies such as BYOD, choose-your-own-device (CYOD), corporate-owned, personally enabled (COPE) devices, and corporate-owned, business-only (COBO) devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the BYOD trend presents a more complex security environment than company-owned devices. For one, employee-owned endpoints usually contain employees\u2019 personal information in addition to corporate data. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, it can be much harder to mandate (through technical or policy controls) certain configurations, application use, or how much an employee can engage in \u201cpersonal,\u201d i.e. non-work related, activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are some BYOD risks you should be aware of if your company decides to allow employees to use their preferred devices for work-related activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Unclear Security Expectations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What sets BYOD apart from other mobile device strategies such as COPE or COBO<\/a> devices is the level of control it gives employees. This can be costly for the organization, especially if you place data security into the hands of inexperienced employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2021, Security Boulevard reported that social engineering attacks \u2014 cybersecurity threats where threat actors manipulate employees into supplying sensitive data \u2014 rose by a staggering 270%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Threat actors are increasingly leveraging social engineering tactics because of unclear security expectations. In some instances, employees can compromise the organization\u2019s security by intentionally bypassing IT teams\u2019 supervision. For example, employees may argue that they work faster if they can get around their company\u2019s IT department. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This scenario has led to the growth of shadow IT, where employees use endpoints, applications, and systems that the IT department has not sanctioned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Compromised Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When employees use their preferred devices for work-related activities, any access to the enterprise network can pose a BYOD security<\/a> risk. Threat actors can gain access to the device, especially if it gets lost or is stolen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attackers can also compromise the employee\u2019s device by launching phishing attacks while the device is still owned by the employee and compromise the enterprise\u2019s data by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n