The Rise of BYOD and the Cloud
Picture this: You’re an employee of a thriving UK-based business, and your boss hands you a brand new, state-of-the-art laptop – a shiny symbol of the company’s investment in your productivity. But deep down, you can’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment. After all, you’ve grown accustomed to the sleek design and lightning-fast performance of your personal smartphone and tablet. The thought of lugging around a clunky work device just doesn’t appeal to you.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) movement is sweeping across the UK, and for good reason. Employees love the convenience and familiarity of using their personal devices for work, and employers are starting to realize the benefits as well. In fact, a recent study found that 60% of businesses currently use a BYOD model, with that number expected to rise to 90% in the coming years [1].
But BYOD isn’t the only disruptive technology taking the business world by storm. Cloud computing has also been gaining traction, with 54% of American companies utilizing public or private cloud systems [1]. When you combine the flexibility of BYOD with the power of the cloud, the result is a match made in productivity heaven.
Tackling the Security Challenges of BYOD
One of the biggest concerns that IT professionals have with BYOD is the potential security risk. After all, if an employee’s device falls into the wrong hands, there’s a real danger that sensitive corporate data could be compromised. And with 46% of employees admitting to letting someone else use their work device [1], those fears are not unfounded.
Fortunately, cloud computing offers a solution to this problem. By storing data and processing information outside of the employee’s device, cloud-based systems can provide a much higher level of security. As [2] points out, “With the rise of laptops and smartphones in the workplace, traditional and mobile cloud computing are the most obvious solutions. With these services, storage and data processing occurs outside the mobile devices. As information isn’t stored on any employee’s device, corporate documents enjoy greater security.”
But the security benefits of the cloud don’t stop there. Mobile device management (MDM) tools, which are often integrated with cloud-based systems, can help secure BYOD devices from external threats. These tools allow employers to remotely wipe lost or stolen devices, ensuring that sensitive data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. And with a third of workers admitting that the work files on their personal devices aren’t encrypted [1], this extra layer of security is crucial.
Boosting Productivity with BYOD and the Cloud
While the security concerns of BYOD are legitimate, the potential benefits to employee productivity are hard to ignore. After all, when employees are using devices they’re already comfortable with, they’re less likely to waste time getting up to speed on unfamiliar technology.
But the cloud can take this productivity boost even further. By providing greater visibility into employee online behavior, cloud-based systems can help employers keep their teams focused on the task at hand. As [1] notes, “Businesses with cloud security systems which offer URL or website filtering can keep track of the websites their employees visit during work time.”
Of course, setting clear expectations and communication is key to ensuring that BYOD doesn’t become a recipe for procrastination. As the article points out, “It’s also important to reveal what data will remain private to alleviate staff concerns. Two-thirds of employees who use their personal devices at work say that their workplace does not have a BYOD policy. Often instituting such a formal guideline is all employees need to ensure their online behavior meets company standards.”
The Financial Benefits of BYOD and the Cloud
When it comes to the bottom line, the combination of BYOD and cloud computing can deliver some truly impressive cost savings. For starters, the BYOD model means that companies no longer need to shell out for expensive employee devices. In fact, studies suggest that workers are willing to spend an average of $965 on their own devices and $734 on internet data plans [1].
But the savings don’t stop there. By leveraging cloud-based systems, businesses can also reduce their infrastructure costs by a staggering 23% [1]. This is because cloud computing eliminates the need for costly on-site servers and IT support. As the article notes, “The cost to businesses owning and running their own servers is also significantly more than that of utilizing a cloud. As the cloud manages infrastructure, businesses can also run efficiently with fewer information technology experts.”
When you add up the savings from both BYOD and cloud computing, the numbers become truly eye-opening. According to [1], American companies can save as much as $3,150 for each employee every year by embracing these two technologies.
The Future of BYOD and the Cloud
While the benefits of BYOD and cloud computing are clear, the future of this dynamic duo is even more exciting. As [1] predicts, “In time, forecasters believe we’ll see entire workspaces housed on the cloud. An employee’s device would become simply a terminal for connecting to the cloud-based desktop. A worker would simply enter in his login details and become instantly connected to your work desktop. As nothing would be stored locally, security would be virtually assured.”
This vision of a cloud-based, device-agnostic workplace is the ultimate realization of the BYOD dream. Employees can use the devices they love, while employers can enjoy the security and cost-saving benefits of the cloud. It’s a win-win scenario that’s sure to transform the way we work in the years to come.
So, if you’re a UK-based business looking to stay ahead of the curve, the path forward is clear: embrace the power of BYOD and the cloud. With the help of experts like Swift Systems [1], you can navigate the challenges and unlock the incredible benefits of this dynamic duo. The future of work is here, and it’s time to get on board.
References
[1] Swift Systems. (n.d.). [BYOD & Cloud Computing Can Save Your Company Money]. Retrieved from https://www.swiftsystems.com/guides-tips/byod-cloud-computing-can-save-company-money/
[2] Google Cloud Community. (n.d.). [MDM features for BYOD]. Retrieved from https://www.googlecloudcommunity.com/gc/Workspace-Q-A/MDM-features-for-BYOD/m-p/540365
[3] Ivanti. (n.d.). [Can’t enroll new BYOD devices with Android 10 with MobileIron GO?]. Retrieved from https://forums.ivanti.com/s/question/0D54O000077oiQJSAY/cant-enroll-new-byod-devices-with-android-10-with-mobileiron-go?language=en_US
[4] Palo Alto Networks. (n.d.). [User ID for BYOD]. Retrieved from https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/general-topics/user-id-for-byod/td-p/184508
[5] VMware. (2017, October 10). [Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)]. Retrieved from https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/bring-your-own-device-byod.html
[6] Forcepoint. (n.d.). [Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)]. Retrieved from https://www.forcepoint.com/cyber-edu/bring-your-own-device-byod
[7] Fortinet. (n.d.). [BYOD: Bring Your Own Device]. Retrieved from https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/byod
[8] TechTarget. (n.d.). [BYOD (bring your own device)]. Retrieved from https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/BYOD-bring-your-own-device
