“...both VPNs and
cloud solutions can
negate the need to
store local data.”
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There are two technologies in particular which are
in themselves becoming integral to IT operations
and that are subsequently supporting the growth in
BYOD - they are cloud computing and Virtual Private
Networks (VPNs). Whilst there are many technology
trends that are pushing the adoption of BYOD policies,
these two are providing businesses with the key tools
they need to overcome some of the challenges that
BYOD brings with it.
Connectivity and Interoperability
The key to BYOD’s success is also one of its biggest
hurdles and that is the variety of devices and
platforms that it introduces into the IT systems
equation. Users will be hoping to connect from
a broad range of devices such as laptops, tablets
and smartphones, running all manner of operating
systems including the more traditional Windows, Mac
OS and Linux alongside the newer kids on the block in
the mobile sphere: iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and
Blackberry for example.
For organisations where the workers need to connect
to the local network, VPN is the key. Tunnelling into
a local area network across a VPN can allow users to
access the fles and/or control the applications on
local (ofce) machines that they need for their daily
work regardless of the device they are using, and their
location, as long as they have an internet connection.
Although many applications have releases which
support most operating systems it can be a real
headache rolling out an application suit across such
a variety of platforms. However, the all-conquering
concept of cloud computing can ofer a truly
interoperable application solution. More specifcally
Software as a Service (SaaS) oferings, such a Google
Docs or Microsoft Ofce 365, together with cloud
storage, allow workers to operate within the cloud
and therefore seamlessly between the ofce and on
the go. Again, the only condition to use these services
is that the user has an internet connection.
Security
Arguably the greatest challenge faced by
organisations embracing BYOD is that of security;
ensuring that personal devices aren’t compromised
in themselves and don’t pose a security threat to the
rest of the network. Allowing BYODs introduces many
more vulnerabilities at various steps in the network
and so there are many ways in which these risks can
and need to be addressed.
The frst step is to reduce the risk of the personal
device being compromised in the frst place. This is
particularly pertinent where employees are bringing
their own device in to connect to the businesses LAN.
To achieve this, some organisations have conditions
of use which require that the user’s device has
The Dawn of BYOD
VPN & The Cloud
specifc anti virus and
management software
installed before it can
be allowed onto the
network. However,
the risks can also be
reduced by ensuring that personal devices are only
allowed to connect to the local network via a VPN
rather than a direct connection, even when the user is
on site.
Using a VPN is a must for users in remote locations as
the secure tunnel of a VPN prevents any information
being intercepted in transit. It can be tempting for
employees working of-site (or even on site) on
personal devices to email documents, for example,
backwards and forwards but the security of such
communications can never be guaranteed.
What’s more that approach requires that at least some
work data is stored locally on the personal device - a
cardinal sin in terms of data protection. Again both
VPNs and cloud solutions can negate the need to
store local data. Using a VPN will allow the worker to
operate on the local network, accessing, working on
and storing everything they need on there, rather
than on their own device. Secure cloud services on
the other hand can be used to provide collaborative
workspaces where users perform all their work in
the cloud so that colleagues, wherever they are, can
Stuart Mitchell
access it. However care should be taken to check the
security measures used by cloud providers before
signing up to such services whilst the user must also
ensure that someone who misappropriates a device
can’t then easily access their cloud account (through
lack of device security and stored passwords etc).
All this, plus implementing measures such as
improved secure wireless networks in the work place,
may result in greater spending on IT security and
connectivity, but this should, as mentioned above,
easily be ofset by the direct and indirect fnancial
benefts experienced elsewhere across the IT budget
and the business as a whole.
From: http://www.articlebase.com
Photo: Michel Mayerle