What's a BYOD policy when it's at home?

By Taylors Solicitors

27 Mar 2015

BYOD is a 'Bring Your Own Device' policy. And with ever more of us with devices constantly stuck to our ear and pressed firmly in our hand, employers need to be alive to the risks and benefits to their business of letting employees 'BYOD'.

By Emma Swan, employment partner , Taylors.

BYOD is a practice that allows employees to use personal mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, for business purposes. Many employers are attracted to allowing employees to use their own devices because it means they are able to work longer hours by interacting with the company’s IT systems outside of normal work hours.

However, it is important as an employer that you are not lulled into a false sense of security.

There are both legal and commercial risks that arise with BYOD and you need to consider the issues carefully before allowing the practice and if you do, make sure you implement a policy to help you maange it across your business if you chose to take this route.

Whenever there are new access routes to data, there are inevitably new security concerns and BYOD is no exception to this. As well as concerns associated with the loss or leaking of commercially-sensitive data, employers also have legal responsibilities around the security of certain data under the Data Protection Act 1998. The Information Commissioner’s Office has made it clear that these responsibilities apply “regardless of the ownership of the device used to carry out the processing”.

Employee responsibilities should be carefully addressed in a BYOD policy. Issues around misconduct, discrimination and confidentially that may arise where there is improper use of an employer’s IT systems are usually already addressed in an employer’s IT policy. However, a BYOD will need to consider further issues.

So what can you do to help control some of the risks to the budiness and develop a BYOD policy? Here are some of the points that you should consider:- You should review your systems and take steps to minimise vulnerabilities before allowing the widespread use of personal devices. Once this has been done, devices should initially only be allowed on a trial basis, by reference only to a limited number of staff so that all of the various functions can be properly tested. You should also vet the types of devices that you allow your employees to use and employees should only be allowed to use devices that are secure. You should ensure that devices have a strong password and that they lock automatically if an incorrect password is entered. It should also be a requirement that your employees using encryption software to store personal data securely and that any data transferring will only take place through an encrypted channel. Any BYOD policy will need to make it clear that any work data will remain the employer’s property.

The policy should also include a requirement that the employer’s data be deleted from a device if an employee either resigns or is dismissed.

One of the risks around BYOD is that it may be more difficult to detect or demonstrate that an employee has taken or misused commercially-sensitive information. The policy should include a requirement for the employee to hand over any personal device that has been used to access the employer’s information as and when an employee resigns or is dismissed so that the employer can check whether confidential information has been properly and permanently deleted. It is also important that, in order to enforce the BYOD policy, you are able to demonstrate that your employees were aware of the policy and they accepted the terms.

Latest news

1

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid inspired-500x500.png

Major shareholder makes Inspired takeover bid

23 Apr 2025

2

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire. Thompsons meeting (1).png.png

Nominate your favourite family-run business in Lancashire.

22 Apr 2025

3

Business academies to continue for an additional year Cllr Mark Smith (r) with Top Gun Tools & Fixings team presenting Blackpool Net Zero Academy certificate

Business academies to continue for an additional year

22 Apr 2025

4

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates Richard Robinson Feat IMG

Napthens advises A Lamb Associates (ALA) and subsidiary Morham & Brotchie Partnership on their acquisition by Hawkins & Associates

22 Apr 2025

5

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors Promotions at Farleys Solicitors

Six promotions at Farleys Solicitors

22 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
25 Apr 2025 - 25 Apr 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: April

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

People Power: Exclusive Event Series
Stay ahead in 2025.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
29 Apr 2025 - 29 Apr 2025

People Power: Exclusive Event Series

People's History Museum, Manchester, M3 3ER

17:00 - 21:00

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin