Personal vs company workstations

Choosing the right devices for your business operations is very important for maintaining a strong security posture. While using company-issued workstations is not a requirement for SOC 2 compliance—you can achieve compliance with a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy—we strongly recommend using dedicated company devices.

Risks associated with BYOD policies

Having a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy introduces several security challenges:

• Increased attack surface: Personal devices often have a multitude of applications installed—sometimes in the 100s—that are not necessary for business operations. Many of these are consumer-focused apps that may not adhere to the same security standards as business applications.
• Inconsistent security measures: Personal devices may lack essential security configurations, consistent updates, and patches, making them susceptible to attacks.
• Data control issues: Managing and protecting sensitive company data becomes more difficult when it resides on personal devices outside of your direct control.
• Device loss or theft: Personal devices are more likely to be used in various locations, increasing the risk of loss or theft.
• Mixed use concerns: When work and personal activities occur on the same device, there’s an increased risk of accidental data exposure or security breaches.
• Complex offboarding: Removing company data and access from personal devices during employee departures can be challenging.

Advantages of company-issued devices

Using company-owned devices offers several benefits:

• Full control over device configuration: You have complete authority over how company devices are configured, used, and stored, allowing you to enforce security policies effectively.
• Less employee pushback on policies: Since the devices are company-owned, employees are more likely to accept security measures as standard protocol.
• Standardized security: Uniform security measures can be implemented across all devices, making management and updates more efficient.
• Simplified asset management: Better tracking and management of hardware and software assets.
• Clearer boundaries: Clear separation between work and personal activities reduces the risk of data breaches.
• Streamlined support: IT support becomes more efficient with standardized hardware and software configurations.

BYOD best practices

If you believe a BYOD policy better suits your organization, here are some best practices to ensure you’re being thoughtful about security:

Make requirements clear

• Publish an acceptable use policy and ensure all employees are aware of their responsibilities. Leverage Oneleet’s policy templates for best practices and security guidance.

Utilize the Oneleet agent

• Require employees to install the Oneleet agent on their personal devices before accessing company resources.
• Use the Oneleet dashboard to ensure basic end-user device security requirements such as encryption and antivirus are enforced on all workstations.

Train on best practices

• Educate employees on best practices for securing their devices and recognizing potential threats.
• Teach employees to identify phishing emails, suspicious links, and unsafe downloads by checking signs such as sender details, URLs, or email tone.
• Ensure employees are not storing sensitive data in personal cloud accounts or non-approved storage by providing secure alternatives.

Remember: Whether you choose company-owned devices or BYOD, prioritizing security is essential for safeguarding your organization’s assets.