What does BYOD mean and how do I implement a secure BYOD network policy?

As of August 2025, about 10.7% of full-time employees work from home, while 11.4% of employees are working under a hybrid model. Some employees may need to use personal devices when there is a lack of available corporate-owned devices. The shift in how work is done has necessitated a pressing need for a solid corporate BYOD policy. But what is BYOD and what are some best practices for implementing a secure BYOD network policy?

What is BYOD?

BYOD stands for bring your own device, which includes laptops, mobile phones, tablets as well as wearable devices.

BYOD risks and how to avoid them

A variety of issues can arise when employees bring their own devices to work. Because personal devices are not company-issued and may not have the necessary security controls in place they may present a security risk to an organization. Mobile devices, for example, are easy targets for malware. Device hacking that results in loss or theft of company data is another potential risk. That is why it’s essential to have a solid bring-your-own-device policy to help protect your organization from security threats.

A BYOD policy can help businesses effectively manage and secure remote work. In addition, user authentication, cyber risk monitoring and network maintenance are critical parts of a BYOD policy’s success.

What is a BYOD policy?

A BYOD (bring-your-own-device) policy governs how your employees’ personally owned devices connect to your corporate network and access your company data. It has no inherent set rules. It can and should support whatever works best for your organizations. But it also should outline the types of devices used and the basics of the approval process for BYOD usage so that IT and security teams can watch for unauthorized connections and potential cyber threats.

How do I implement a secure BYOD network policy?

A strong BYOD policy is especially important in environments where multiple people are sharing a device, which opens the door to increased risks to the network and its data.

Authorized devices should look to meet certain security standards, such as proof of firewalls, use of encryption for data transmission and storage, updated security, fully patched software, secure passwords and approved apps and cloud services.

BYOD network strategy and management

To formulate a personal device strategy, your IT department should have a solid BYOD network design in place—one that includes secure methods of access for a variety of devices and one that’s secured wired or wireless network remote access through a virtual private network or a layered security mechanism.

Your BYOD network design strategy will likely include rules you’ve not previously considered. For example, does a home router or an Internet of Things device fall under the BYOD umbrella? If so, what steps should be taken to decrease potential security risks?

People might relax their standards with home routers, using a default password, allowing anyone visiting the home to access their Wi-Fi network or ignoring firmware patches.

To bypass this security threat, organizations should either require every personal device to connect through a virtual private network. Failing that, IT should be available to help remote workers set up secure router connections.

Consider setting up a guest network for any unsecured devices, such as those used by contractors and visitors who need access to your network. By segregating unauthorized personal devices from your network, you add an extra layer of security without having to restructure your network architecture. A guest network will also keep your bandwidth usage under control.

Benefits of a BYOD policy

Some organizations have looked at bring-your-own-device protocols—if they had any at all—as an unavoidable evil. But with the surge in remote work, a solid BYOD network design policy keeps operations flowing, especially for small and medium-sized businesses without the resources to furnish employer-controlled devices. The benefits of a solid BYOD policy include:

• Greater productivity. Employees may feel more comfortable with their personal computers and phones which may mean they are more productive because they are familiar with their devices. Also, employees often upgrade their personal devices more frequently than organizations, so they may already be using the latest technology, which could also translate into greater productivity.
• Cost savings. If your employees already have the devices they need to do their jobs, you will not need to provide them with any hardware—and you can pass the cost savings on to improving your BYOD security systems.
• Flatter learning curve. People need time to adjust to new hardware and software. Letting employees use their own devices reduces that learning curve and lets them get right to work.

Building a BYOD policy protocol has its challenges, too, of course, mostly involving security and troubleshooting or user support. Having solid policies surrounding employee-owned devices in place, however, reduces confusion, ensures that everyone knows how to get assistance, and could even help you add security layers to your network. Setting strict bring-your-own-device access protocols minimizes the threat of shadow IT and mitigates potential threats from unknown users.

As remote work has increased across almost every industry, a strong BYOD policy has gone from a bonus to a necessity. With the right BYOD policies in place, you can enable employees to work from anywhere and still keep your network and data safe.

BYOD security solutions for business

Now that you have an understanding of what BYOD is and how to implement a secure BYOD policy, learn how Verizon can help your business.

The author of this content is a paid contributor for Verizon.