Study: Employees Unaware Of Employers’ BYOD Policies

Almost 70 percent of employees in the United States and Europe would stop using their own device for work purposes if they knew their employer could remotely wipe or lock it, highlighting concerns over an infringement of privacy and suggesting bring your own device (BYOD) initiatives still face significant hurdles before adoption becomes mainstream.

More than 75 percent of enterprises in the survey sponsored by AdaptiveMobile 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.

New approach needed

The study of 1,000 IT decision makers 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.

“It is imperative that other ways of delivering mobile protection are considered,” Gareth Maclachlan, chief commercial officer at AdaptiveMobile, said in a statement. “Without a new approach to mobile security, employers risk losing the savings they would accrue with BYOD remaining responsible for providing the devices and connectivity to all employees.”

Survey results indicated that the growing chasm between employer and employee has created the opportunity for a new approach to enterprise security, with more than 75 percent of employees endorsing their operator as being able to bridge the gap and protect both parties.

The report also suggested employers agree, with 72 percent stating they would buy a mobile security management service from their operator, and 65 percent saying they would switch operators to get an effective solution.

“To prevent employees rejecting BYOD and maintaining control over their personal device and usage, a solution is needed that maintains user privacy, whilst also keeping the enterprise free from exposure,” Malachlan continued. “A hosted security service, delivered via operators, would give employees peace-of-mind that their own usage is protected, whilst still giving enterprise administrators complete control over corporate access, usage and integrity.”

With 61 percent of enterprises already having a high level of access in place, and with a need to increase control to address growing security threats, organisations could face a backlash in their employees’ willingness to adopt BYOD, the report warned.

The report also indicated a clear disconnect between employee awareness of employer policies, with a whopping 91 percent of businesses saying they believe they have policies in place to protect against mobile security breaches, but almost half (48 percent) of employees who already using their own device were unaware these policies exist.

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Originally published on eWeek.