Can you bring (and use) your iPad or iPhone at work? Some companies are embracing the bring-your-own-device (BYOD) trend. But doing so brings risk. What if a device gets lost or stolen?
Some companies, including Toronto-based Hill & Knowlton Strategies Canada, allow employees to use their own devices but keep a close eye on mobile security. Its IT department sets the devices up so there is a degree of control.
“The number of Canadians who are mobile in their work in some capacity is huge, and it’s growing,” says Krista Napier, Toronto-based senior analyst and tracker team lead, mobile devices, with market intelligence firm IDC Canada.
IDC surveys show that two thirds of Canadian workers fit this description – a number expected to reach three quarters by 2015.
Ms. Napier joined us earlier to talk about the subject.
11:53
Dave Michaels, The Globe and Mail:
Hi everyone. We'll begin in just a moment. Please submit your questions in the box below.
11:56
Dave Michaels:
We are expecting Krista to join us in just a minute.
12:07
Comment From Krista Napier
Happy to be here. Looking forward to answering your questions!
12:08
Comment From Bob
Are you using your iPhone or iPad for this online meeting?
12:09
Comment From Krista Napier
Great first question! I do have my iPad beside me, with some of my research and articles on there for reference during this call.
12:10
Dave Michaels:
Here's a question from JJ.
12:10
Comment From JJ
Using an app-centric data security system, isn't it pretty easy to protect corporate info while being non-intrusive to the UX?
12:14
Krista Napier:
Corporate info can be protected while not compromising the user experience. That is correct. There are more solutions coming out now that will allow for that security, while distinguishing between "business" apps and "personal" ones. Personal apps could be kept in a personal perimeter, while business ones in the corporate perimeter.
12:15
Krista Napier:
One example would be BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, which will allow for that type of division.
12:16
Dave Michaels:
Krista, can you give us an idea of to what extent personal phones and tablets are being used in the workplace?
12:18
Krista Napier:
The trend toward BYOD (bring your own device) is still early but growing. In one survey we did at IDC with Canadian businesses last year, we found that around 28% of respondents were supporting BYOD for media tablets in their company, and 42% were supporting BYOD for smartphones.
12:19
Krista Napier:
It is interesting to note that in that survey, when we asked businesses if they plan to support BYOD for media tablets and smartphones in the next 12 months, more of them stated they were planning to support media tablets. So while people having been bringing their phones to work for a while now it's media tablets that are really helping to drive this trend forward.
12:21
Comment From Dave Smyth
As employees become more tech-savvy, they are less likely to accept one-sided policies that force them to relinquish control of their own personal device for heavy handed solutions like mobile device management. What do you think the future holds for more elegant solutions?
12:25
Krista Napier:
That is a good point. We have asked Canadian consumers in past surveys if they have concerns about brining their devices into the work place...almost 70% of respondents said there were not concerned. However, we also find that today, it's early days in terms of how businesses are managing these devices. Many companies are still using just a policy and user passwords. So more will need to be done to ensure the security of the devices, without impeding the value they deliver.
12:27
Comment From BD
