If you’re using BYOD for your business mobile app, be aware of the risks. When developing a business mobile app to streamline your company’s processes, you have several different options to choose from. For instance, should you outsource your mobile development or keep it in-house? Should you use a private app store for your enterprise mobile app or a large app store? It’s important to research the answers to these questions thoroughly in order to decide which makes the most sense for your brand.
However, one of the biggest questions that many companies struggle with when implementing their completed mobile app is whether or not their app should be BYOD-compatible, or will only work on a select number of pre-determined devices. While some companies choose CYOD (Choose-Your-Own-Device) for their business mobile app, due to the work-use only policy that accompanies it, BYOD (Bring-Your-Own-Device) is also an extremely popular option.
However, business mobile apps come with a number of significant risks that you should be aware of before selecting this option for your company.
Risks of BYOD Enterprise Mobile Apps
The most significant risks that come along with using the Bring Your Own Device option have to do with security and company protection. Here are a few examples:
1. “Jailbroken” phones – Employees who unlock restrictions on their phone in order to access off-limits options in a process known as “jailbreaking.” Unfortunately, when users remove the limitations that are imposed by mobile manufactures, they also often eliminate safety restrictions designed to protect their devices from outside harm.
2. Failing to keep up with security updates – Many people choose to forgo updating their mobile devices with new software and security updates because they don’t like the unfamiliar changes that it makes to their phone. However, if you have employees that choose not to keep up with regular security updates, they are making their phone vulnerable to outside attackers or malware.
3. Unsecured Wi-Fi -While the wireless connection at your office or at your employee’s home may be secure, can you be sure that every connection they make in between will be secure as well? Many open wireless networks, such as at hotels or coffee shops, have open networks for their customers to use. However, these open networks can put mobile device users at risk of outside attacks or even offer the potential for outside users to snoop in on a user’s activities and documents.
4. Phone Theft – While the compactness and mobility of cell phones make them easy to transport, it also makes them very easy to lose. And if your employee’s do not have a lock on their mobile device or a password that allows entry, your enterprise mobile app could easily fall into the wrong hands.
There are also a number of unintentional accidents that may occur which could cause the security of your enterprise mobile app to become compromised, such as an employee that accidentally uploads confidential information to one of their social apps, or downloading a compromised file into your company app. Therefore, it’s more important than ever that you know how to protect your app from each of these security risks if you plan to use BYOD.
Preventing BYOD Enterprise Mobile Risks
The single best defense against these common BYOD risks, along with many other risks that come along with allowing your employee’s to use their own personal mobile devices, is to employ a great security system within your app.
7T can work closely with your company to develop an intensive enterprise mobile security strategy that helps your company safeguard your corporate data. This security system includes a wide range of capabilities including the following:
- Protection for safeguarding your intellectual property on mobile devices
- The ability to wipe data if a device is stolen or an employee is terminated
- Control over which employees get access to different apps
- Data encryption
- Secure email management specifically for BYOD implementations
For full details about 7T’ security services, be sure to contact us today to speak with our team of enterprise mobile security experts. We can help you go over the pros and cons of BYOD, as well as help you determine which is the best option for your mobile enterprise app.
If you’re looking to develop a mobile app, we can also offer our expertise in creative UI/UX design and mobile analytics. We take great pride in our ability to leverage cutting-edge technologies in our custom software and mobile app development projects.
Based in Dallas, 7T maintains regional offices located in Chicago and Houston. To discuss your development project, reach out to the team today!
