Viewpoint
The
Future?
Steve Browell, CTO at Intrinsic Technology discusses the benefits and risks associated with BYOD in the retail sector.
In a recent survey we carried out, almost half of IT bosses at retail firms thought that desktop computers would be a thing of the past within four years.
Thanks to the evolution of the cloud, software no longer needs to be physically stored on computers. On top of this, employees have an increasing desire to work off their personal mobile devices in the office – which is why the popularity of bring‐your‐ own‐device (BYOD) is growing in the retail sector.
One of the main attractions of BYOD is the prospect of cost savings. The need to procure hardware is dramatically reduced if employees work from their own smartphones, laptops and tablets. It also opens the door to mobility and remote working solutions. Employees are more likely to work on the move or at home if they can use their own devices,
boosting flexibility and in turn improving productivity.
However, it’s not as simple as just flicking a switch and reaping the efficiency gains. These benefits will be lost if retailers fail to address the associated risks.
Our survey also revealed that half of UK retailers now allow employees to use their personal devices at work, yet just 25% had a formal BYOD policy in place, governing the likes of security and correct usage. It’s crucial that retailers fully understand the threats and put processes in place to deal with them. The risks arise from a lack of control. IT departments are used to issuing their own devices and having power over what they’re used for and what’s stored on them. But that all changes with BYOD. Employee‐owned devices are more likely to be exposed to malware and viruses outside work hours, which could then in turn access
the corporate network and infect critical information. On the face of it there’s little the IT department can do about this. However, the issue can be overcome. The most secure solution is to use a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). VDI turns devices into simple interfaces, sandboxing all corporate data which is stored on a server in the cloud, instead of the device. The internal IT team has control over the VDI, so it’s possible to remotely lock out or wipe any device that is lost, stolen or acting suspiciously.
BYOD brings a whole host of benefits, but retailers must prioritise security and retain control. A well‐designed BYOD policy with VDI to back it up can limit the risks and put the power back in the hands of the retailer.
Contact Intrinsic Technology 0844 474 0440
www.intrinsictechnology.co.uk
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www.a1retailmagazine.com
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