This means that in addition to the employee's private data and applications, these devices contain the necessary company data and applications as well. As a rule, the employer is responsible for the management of such applications, and that can lead to problems. After all, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of their employer controlling (part of) their private phone or computer. Conversely, employers may be scared of the security risks associated with BYOD – imaginary or otherwise. Cultural differences can also help explain people's occasional resistance to BYOD. Especially in Europe, employees still tend to expect their employer to provide everything they need to do their job. In the US, that expectation is not as strong, and companies are more likely to allow their staff a choice of their own or company devices.
Lack of sufficient ICT equipment
Many ICT manufacturing companies have currently suspended operations as a result of the coronavirus crisis. Others have adapted their production to help fight the virus. Apple is now producing medical masks; Tesla is building ventilators. As distributors receive less new stock or none at all, their existing inventory is shrinking slowly but surely. Furthermore, deliveries to sectors such as healthcare and education are being prioritized, making it even harder for businesses to obtain sufficient ICT equipment.
Every cloud has a silver lining, though, as these difficult circumstances are an ideal incentive for many organizations to make the switch to BYOD – including our own. For these organizations, the next challenge is to manage and secure their own ICT equipment for use by homeworkers, and to do so efficiently, adequately and remotely. Microsoft Intune, a cloud-based mobile management platform, more than meets this need.