BYOD and CYOD: What's the difference?

Posted on Thursday October 31, 2019

Many of us are comfortable using computers and devices we're familiar with. This is the reason companies are now offering their employees a bring your own device (BYOD) option. However, there's a new concept that is also starting to catch on: choose your own device (CYOD).

Below is a brief overview of BYOD and CYOD.

BYOD

This policy allows employees to bring their own devices to the office and use them for work-related tasks. While it focuses mostly on mobile devices, some companies allow users to bring their computers as well.

Companies cut costs on purchasing and maintaining computers when they adopt this policy. This also leads to higher productivity since employees are familiar with their own devices, eliminating the time and effort needed to adjust to a new operating system or technology.

The main drawback of this policy is the risk involved when you allow employees' devices to access corporate resources. Companies adopting this policy need to ensure that they have a solid system in place that deals not only with security but how the devices should be used.

CYOD

CYOD allows users to choose from a set of devices approved by the company.

These devices come with pre-installed business applications and protocols before an employee selects them. The main benefit of this policy is that the devices offered are highly compatible with the company's current setup and come with security features to ensure that sensitive information is properly protected.

Depending on the policy, a company can either keep the device after an employee leaves or an employee can own the device after paying for it upfront. Some employees may not like the selection of available devices; that's the major drawback of this policy. Unfortunately, hardware costs are also not completely eliminated, and employees will have to shoulder the costs for maintenance and repairs.

Which policy should companies adopt?

Companies should think about what works best for their current setup before choosing whether to adopt a BYOD or CYOD policy. A BYOD policy is ideal for companies operating on a tight or limited budget, while CYOD is perfect for companies who want to ensure their data is fully secure.

Contact us today to see how we can help you choose the right policy for your company.