Fortinet has conducted a global survey that reveals the extent of the challenge posed to corporate IT systems by first generation Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) users; people entering the workplace with an expectation to use their own mobile devices. The survey describes the degree to which security is widely given low consideration by Gen-Y employees using their own devices, including the disturbing fact that two-thirds of Indian employees would contravene a company’s security policy that forbids them to use their personal devices at work or for work purposes. Overall, the findings underscore the urgency with which enterprises should develop security strategies to successfully secure and manage BYOD activity.

The global survey, conducted in 15 territories during May/June 2012, asked over 3,800 active employees aged 21 to 31 about their perspectives on BYOD, its impact on their work environment and their approach to personal and corporate IT security. Two hundred and nine Indian employees were surveyed. 

Strong Dependence on Personal Communications Means BYOD is Here to Stay

Within the demographic of the survey, which represents tomorrow’s management and decision makers, BYOD is confirmed as a mainstream activity. More than three quarters (84%) of Indian respondents already regularly engage in the practice. More importantly, almost two-thirds (65%) of Indian respondents view using their device at work as a ‘right’ rather than a ‘privilege’.

From a user perspective, the primary driver of the BYOD practice is that individuals can constantly access their preferred applications, especially social media and private communications. The dependence on personal communications is strong with 58% of Indian respondents admitting they could not go a day without accessing social networks, and 60% unable to last a day without SMS.

Lax Consideration of Business Risks Means Workers Contravene Corporate Policy

The first generation of BYOD workers understand the risks posed by BYOD to their organization. Thirty-seven percent of the India survey sample actually believe potential data loss and exposure to malicious IT threats to be the dominant risk. Yet, worryingly for IT departments, this risk awareness does not prevent those workers from bypassing corporate policies. In fact, two-thirds of the Indian respondents (66%) admitted they have or would contravene a corporate policy banning the use of personally-owned devices for work purposes. This figure is the highest in all 15 territories surveyed.

When asked about policies banning the use of non-approved applications, the figure remains about the same, with 52% of Indian respondents admitting they have or would contravene policy. This again tops all the territories covered by this survey. The risk to organizations from non-approved applications looks set to grow. Indeed, a very high 88% of Indian respondents confirmed they are interested in Bring Your Own Application (BYOA) − where users create and use their own custom applications at work.

The survey results also hinted at the resistance organizations might face with regards to implementing security on an employee’s device. The majority (57%) of Indian respondents consider themselves – not the company – to be responsible for the security of the personal devices they use for work purposes. This is substantially higher than the number who believes responsibility ultimately rests with their employer (38%).

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