Home » Blogs » Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) VS. Corporate-Owned: Which Policy Is Better for Your Needs?
BYOD
March 21, 2023

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and corporate-owned policies refer to the two different approaches businesses can implement when using technology in the workplace. BYOD policies allow employees to use their personal devices for work purposes, while corporate-owned policies require employees to use devices owned and controlled by the company. With a BYOD policy, employees are free to use the device they prefer. Still, it comes with security risks as the company doesn’t have direct control over the device. On the other hand, corporate-owned device policies offer better security and control, but it can be expensive for the company to purchase and maintain the devices.

This topic is significant as the choice between a BYOD policy or a corporate-owned policy can greatly impact data security, device management, and cost. The wrong choice can lead to costly security breaches, major compliance issues, and added hardware expenses while the right selection can increase productivity, employee satisfaction, and cost savings.

Understanding the implications of each policy is crucial for any business looking to improve operations and stay competitive in the digital age—whether it is a small law firm or a large corporation. This blog aims to comprehensively analyze the two policies and help employers make informed decisions about which policy is the best fit for them.

BYOD Policy

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy is a workplace policy that allows employees to use their devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, for work-related tasks. Employees can access company emails, documents, and other business-related applications on their devices rather than being limited to using company-owned devices.

Data ownership and collection can vary depending on the company’s BYOD policy. The employee typically owns the device and is responsible for its maintenance and security, but the company has protocols for accessing and using company data stored on the device. It can be accomplished through mobile device management software or other endpoint management and security measures.

BYOD policies have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a survey by Zippia showing that 80% of companies have a BYOD policy. This trend is particularly prevalent in law firms, where the flexibility to work remotely and access important documents from anywhere is essential.

Advantages Of BYOD Policy

  • Cost savings for the company. Implementing a BYOD policy can lead to significant cost savings, as they do not need to purchase and maintain devices for their employees. It means less spending on hardware and other IT costs, which can significantly help businesses financially, especially small to medium-sized ones. Employees are also likely to take better care of their personal devices, reducing the need for replacement or repairs.
  • Increase employee productivity and satisfaction. Allowing employees to use their preferred devices can lead to increased productivity and satisfaction, as they can work in the way that best suits their needs and preferences. By using a familiar and comfortable device, employees can work more efficiently and have better access to the tools and applications they need to do their job.
  • Flexibility in device choice. BYOD policy provides flexibility in device choice, as employees can choose the device that best suits their needs and preferences rather than being limited to using company-provided devices. With a wider range of devices, employees can work more efficiently using devices that best suit the specific tasks they need to perform.

Disadvantages Of BYOD Policy

  • Increased security risks. As employees use their devices for work, the company may be at a higher risk for security breaches or data loss. Personal devices may have different security measures or updates than company-owned devices, and employees may be less likely to report lost or stolen devices.
  • Difficulty in managing and maintaining a diverse set of devices. With employees using various personal devices, it can be difficult for IT departments to manage and maintain them. Different devices may have different operating systems, software versions, and hardware specifications, making it challenging to ensure compatibility and security across the board.
  • Limited control over company data. When employees use their own devices, the company may have less control over how company data is stored, shared, and accessed. It can be especially problematic in the legal industry, where strict data protection laws must be adhered to, or in the case of sensitive information.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) software is a very popular safety and administrative solution for companies to employ that allows the IT department to control and secure any device connected to the company’s network—such as tablets, computers and phones.

Corporate-Owned Policy

Corporate-Owned policies refer to the approach where a company provides and controls the devices used by its employees for work purposes. Under this policy, the company owns the devices and is responsible for maintaining and managing them and ensuring the security of the company data stored on them.
Data collection in a corporate-owned policy can occur in several ways. One method is using software and applications installed on company-owned devices to track and monitor employee usage and activity. Companies can also have policies and protocols in place for regular data backups and data transfer to ensure that important information is not lost in the event of a device malfunction or loss.

Advantages of Corporate-Owned Policy

  • Improve security and compliance. With company-owned devices, legal firms can ensure that all devices meet security standards to protect sensitive client information.
  • Easier device management and maintenance. IT teams have full control over the devices and can easily manage software and security updates and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. It eliminates the need for employees to handle device maintenance themselves and ensures that all devices run on the same software version.
  • Better control over company data. A business can ensure that all devices are configured with the software and security protocols to protect sensitive client information. Additionally, it allows IT teams to remotely wipe or lock devices if they are lost or stolen, preventing unauthorized access to company data.

Disadvantages of Corporate Issued policy

  • Increased costs for the company. Providing and maintaining devices for employees can be costly for the company.
  • Limited employee choice and satisfaction. With a corporate-owned policy, employees are limited to using the devices provided by the company, which may not be their preference. It can decrease employee satisfaction and productivity.
  • Less flexibility in terms of device usage. Corporate-owned policies may have strict usage guidelines, limiting employees’ ability to use their devices for personal reasons or when working remotely.
  • Risk of devices becoming outdated quickly. As technology rapidly evolves, devices provided by the company may need to be updated quickly, leading to costly replacement and maintenance.

Weighing the Options

BYOD and Corporate-Owned policies are two different approaches that companies can take when it comes to using technology in the workplace. Each policy has advantages and disadvantages, and the best choice will depend on your specific needs and priorities. However, many experts recommend implementing a BYOD policy with strong security measures, such as mobile device management software, to ensure data security and compliance while allowing for cost savings, increased employee productivity and satisfaction, and flexibility in device choice.
While Corporate-Owned policies offer more control over company data and device management, the cost savings and increased employee satisfaction that come with a BYOD policy make it a more viable option for law firms. By implementing strong security measures, any business of any size and industry can ensure that their BYOD policy is secure and compliant with industry regulations.

How ModeOne Can Help Making the Right Choice

ModeOne is a self-service (SaaS) framework which empowers our clients to easily manage case facts by obtaining and analyzing vital evidence stored on smartphone, including short-message chat applications, using our automated, defensible, secure, and cost-certain workflow. Our technology solution can assist clients in making the right choice between BYOD and corporate-owned policies by implementing automated, defensible, and secure eDiscovery workflows.

With a flat-fee per unit and volume-based subscription fee options, our clients can have full budgetary visibility and predictability, making it easy to manage case budgets. With ModeOne, you can have peace of mind knowing that your e-discovery needs are well cared for. To learn more about our services and book a demo, visit https://modeone.io/.