One in Three Firms Allow Employees Network Access Using Personal Smartphones or Other Devices

You might be tech savvy, but that doesn’t mean your employer will give you an all access pass inside the company.

Most technology executives aren’t yet allowing employees to access the company network using their personal smartphones and other technology tools, a concept known as “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD), a new Robert Half Technology survey shows. Only one-third (33 percent) of chief information officers (CIOs) interviewed said employees can access their companies’ corporate networks using their personal smartphones, tablets, computers or other devices.

CIOs were asked, “Do you allow employees access to your corporate networks via personal laptops, smartphones or tablets?” Their responses:

Yes………………………….…   33%

No……………………………..   67%

                                                       100%

Among the CIOs whose firms do allow workers to access the company network using their own equipment, 66 percent said their firms offer limited technical support to these individuals, and 28 percent offer full support. Six percent offer no support.

“Companies are balancing the desire to provide flexibility to employees with potential security risks, as well as logistical issues such as providing support for non-standard devices,” said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology.

Reed noted that although most CIOs surveyed don’t currently allow employees to use their personal devices to access company networks, the tide may soon turn, particularly with the rise in telecommuting and remote work arrangements. “Professionals increasingly want to stay connected while using their device of choice for both work and personal communication,” he said. “Companies recognize this and are actively looking for secure solutions.”