Employees embrace BYOD without knowing company policies

Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) strategies are becoming second nature to many employees. Mobile applications are increasing the functionality of smartphones and tablets, while turning the gadgets into must-have business tools. However, according to a new survey, there is much miscommunication between the work force and IT departments.

Globo – a mobile IT consultant – recently conducted a Twitter poll and found that 68 percent of respondents use their personal devices at work but only 29 percent say their company has an official BYOD policy.

On top of that, 91 percent of respondents said they did not know if there were plans for deploying a BYOD strategy and 14 percent had no idea if their company even has a BYOD policy.

There is also widespread miscommunication between employees and IT departments about what a company’s BYOD solution actually entails. Forty-two percent of respondents did not know if the BYOD policy of their workplace allowed IT to have full access to their device but 93 percent said they would not participate if they did.

With the significant number of employees already using their personal devices for work, companies should be focused on creating a BYOD program and policies that fit the specific needs of the company,” said Globo vice president of business development and marketing Aggelos Grypaios.

He went on to say that the next important step for IT departments is to communicate the policy to employees and make sure that they understand its ins and outs. Managing the system in a way that protects both the employee and the employer will help keep organizations competitive thanks to a mobile workforce.

BYOD policies do not seem to be going anywhere, but companies can have more success with one by partnering with an IT consulting firm like CTI Technology to make sure everyone is on the same page and the strategy is successful.