What Does BYOD Really Mean?
Bring your own device, or BYOD, comes in different forms depending on the company. At its core, it means employees use their personal devices for business purposes. This could be a smartphone, tablet, or laptop used to make calls, send texts, access work email, or log into corporate systems.
There are obvious upsides for both sides.
- The employee gets to work on a device they already know.
- The company saves money by not having to buy extra hardware.
But the downsides, especially for security and data protection, can be serious.
Risks for Employees and Employers
Employees who use their own devices often receive a stipend or partial reimbursement. But they also end up handling much of their own IT. Meanwhile, company data sits on personal devices, and it becomes harder to draw the line between personal and professional. When the phone rings, is it a friend or work?
For businesses, the real problem is even bigger: company data is now on a device you do not own or control.
Some companies install software to “containerize” or separate corporate data from the rest of the device. This can add protection but also complexity. And even then, the company’s data still lives on hardware they do not legally own.
Why It Matters to Forensics
You might wonder why this is showing up in a discussion about digital forensics. The answer becomes clear at one particular moment: when it’s time for an employee to leave, whether on good terms or storming out the door.
If you don’t have solid procedures in place to secure your data, it can be forgotten in the rush of an employee departure. But if you have made data security a standard practice from the start, you’ll be in a far stronger position.
Container software and data loss prevention tools can give you insights into what an employee may have taken. The problem is most companies, especially small ones, don’t have these tools installed. Smaller businesses often rely on trust. That works until trust breaks down, and it’s not just losing the person in their role, it could also be losing critical data they held on their personal device.
If the device belongs to the employee, you are at a disadvantage from the moment they walk out the door.
The Real Costs of Skipping Company-Owned Devices
Yes, there is a cost to providing a work laptop and phone. But that cost is nothing compared to paying attorneys to go to court trying to force an ex-employee to turn over their device. And you may not even have enough evidence to convince a judge to approve such an order.
Most of the evidence needed in these disputes is sitting on that personal device. In many cases, you get only one shot at making your argument. If you miss it, your data, and your options, could be gone.
This is not just theory. It comes from experience, and the end result does not always favor the company that didn’t plan ahead.
It’s About Protecting Your Business
Think of providing company-owned devices as insurance and a basic cost of hiring. If your business can’t afford to do it right, it may not be time to expand your team. Or if your company has grown from a handful of people to a dozen or more without proper policies, it’s still not too late to start.
Just be sure to start before someone walks off with your trade secrets and hard-won ways of doing business. That’s the only point at which it truly becomes too late.
About Swailes Computer Forensics
Swailes Computer Forensics provides expert digital forensic services to law firms, corporations, and organizations nationwide. Our work includes investigations into intellectual property theft, employee misconduct, data breaches, and more. With decades of experience and a commitment to integrity and clarity, we help clients uncover critical evidence and take informed action.
If you’re facing a potential case of employee data theft or have concerns about unauthorized activity, contact us for a confidential consultation.