07:16
Faizan
For the last year or so the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) buzz word has been scaring IT and security managers around the world. The concept behind it is simple enough. As tablets and laptop have become ubiquitous appliances in the home then why not bring them into the workplace. Users are already familiar with the hardware, OS and applications and the IT department budget can save money on hardware and potentially support. Of course, the counter argument and what is really getting IT and Security departments concerned is the introduction of additional risk to the enterprise environment. There is a very real danger of insecure applications/configurations, virus's all posing a risk to the otherwise "secure" enterprise network and for an IT support managers perspective how can they possibly be expected to troubleshoot an enterprise application that isn't working when there is no baseline build or hardware level.
Some companies have successfully implemented a BYOD policy. Notable large companies such as Cisco have taken the approach of allowing BYOD but support is provided on a best efforts basis through internal informal user groups and Wiki's. Other companies take the approach that you can choose whatever device you want but the more it deviates away from the standard procured hardware then your cost center will pay a premium each month.
The BYOD is actually nothing new, ever since the rise in personal and home computing people have always wanted to bring their own "better", newer and more powerful devices into the office. The paradox was drawn between IT and the end user. Why should I use and old device in the office when I can work more efficiently on my shiny new laptop? There is of course no way that technology departments can keep with the pace of change in both software and hardware without an infinite budget so a balance was drawn. This balance was more often than not drawn in favor of corporate standards, security and cost of ownership. Of course there are exceptions. Every company has them. The ever powerful executive or the technologists working on future strategy for whom an exception is granted.
The difference now is that consumer hardware and network connectivity have become ubiquitous and with it the end users are now far more tech savvy than ever before. The once previous line between consumer and enterprise technology has vanished.
Your typical home user has their WiFi router at home that they plugged in themselves and are quite happy connecting their laptop, iPhone, iPad and many other devices to the internet. They keep in touch with friends and family via instant chat, video chat and social media networks. Consumers are not just using these devices in the home, equipped with 3G and WiFi these applications and hardware are being used on the move. With the power provided by the current generation and phones and tablets it is no wonder that they have become an everyday part of people's lives and no surprise why they are insisting on using them in the workplace.
Some companies have successfully implemented a BYOD policy. Notable large companies such as Cisco have taken the approach of allowing BYOD but support is provided on a best efforts basis through internal informal user groups and Wiki's. Other companies take the approach that you can choose whatever device you want but the more it deviates away from the standard procured hardware then your cost center will pay a premium each month.
The BYOD is actually nothing new, ever since the rise in personal and home computing people have always wanted to bring their own "better", newer and more powerful devices into the office. The paradox was drawn between IT and the end user. Why should I use and old device in the office when I can work more efficiently on my shiny new laptop? There is of course no way that technology departments can keep with the pace of change in both software and hardware without an infinite budget so a balance was drawn. This balance was more often than not drawn in favor of corporate standards, security and cost of ownership. Of course there are exceptions. Every company has them. The ever powerful executive or the technologists working on future strategy for whom an exception is granted.
The difference now is that consumer hardware and network connectivity have become ubiquitous and with it the end users are now far more tech savvy than ever before. The once previous line between consumer and enterprise technology has vanished.
Your typical home user has their WiFi router at home that they plugged in themselves and are quite happy connecting their laptop, iPhone, iPad and many other devices to the internet. They keep in touch with friends and family via instant chat, video chat and social media networks. Consumers are not just using these devices in the home, equipped with 3G and WiFi these applications and hardware are being used on the move. With the power provided by the current generation and phones and tablets it is no wonder that they have become an everyday part of people's lives and no surprise why they are insisting on using them in the workplace.
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