Introduction to Employee-Owned (BYOD) Devices with Scalefusion

Introduction to Employee-Owned (BYOD) Devices with Scalefusion

In today’s mobile-first world, employees are increasingly using their personal smartphones for work. While this offers flexibility, it raises concerns about privacy, security, and potential overreach. If your organization is adopting a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy, it’s essential to have a solution that balances managing corporate data with respecting personal privacy.

This guide will help you understand how to use Scalefusion’s MDM (Mobile Device Management) platform to securely manage BYOD devices, focusing on protecting user privacy and enhancing the employee experience.

Why Adopt BYOD?

With the ever-growing variety of smartphones on the market, employees prefer using their personal devices for work rather than carrying separate phones. Allowing this flexibility boosts productivity and reduces costs. However, it’s essential to ensure that corporate data stays secure while keeping personal data private.

Privacy Concerns: What’s Collected and How Is It Managed?

A common concern among employees is what data an MDM system collects. Many ask, “What exactly is being monitored on my device?” or “This isn’t what I expected when I signed up!” If you’re worried about what information IT can access, don’t be. Scalefusion is built to protect user privacy while securing corporate data.

Here’s what Scalefusion can and can’t do when it comes to collecting data:

What Scalefusion Can Do:

1. Manage work apps: Install, configure, and manage work-related apps on your device.

   Set up security policies: Enforce strong passcodes, configure per-app VPNs, and set other necessary restrictions to safeguard company data.

2. Access work data only: Scalefusion manages only the work-related data and apps. For example, if an employee leaves or a device is lost, only corporate data will be wiped—not personal data.

3. View work apps: IT can see which work-related apps are installed but cannot access personal apps or data.

What Scalefusion Cannot Do:

1. Access personal information: Scalefusion cannot access personal emails, messages, browsing history, or contacts.

2. View or remove personal apps: The system only manages work apps and data, leaving personal apps untouched.

3. Track location: Unless specifically configured for work, Scalefusion does not track your device’s location.

4. Take control of personal data: Scalefusion will never access or erase personal data like photos or texts.

How Scalefusion Protects Privacy?

1. Separation of Work and Personal Data: Scalefusion creates two separate containers on the device—one for work and one for personal use. These containers are fully isolated from each other, so your personal data is never accessible by the IT team.

2. User Consent and Transparency: Before any device management takes place, employees are required to review and consent to the company’s Terms of Use. This ensures that employees know what data will be managed and how it will be used.

3. Opt-out Flexibility: If employees choose to un-enroll their device from the system, all work-related apps and data will be removed, but personal data will stay untouched.

What Data Is Actually Collected?

When an employee enrolls their device in Scalefusion, the system collects only the necessary information to manage the device and secure corporate data. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Device Information: Basic details like device model, operating system version, and installed work apps.

2. Work App Data: Information related to work apps, such as usage and installation details, to ensure secure access.

3. Security Settings: Information on security configurations like passcodes and VPNs to maintain company data protection.

Note:

Scalefusion does not collect any personal data such as photos, texts, browsing history, or personal apps unless required for work-related purposes.

Privacy Controls and Remote Actions

Scalefusion provides several ways to ensure privacy:

1. Data Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.

2. Selective Data Collection: IT admins can configure Scalefusion to collect only essential data, minimizing the exposure of personal information.

3. Remote Data Wipe: In case of lost devices or employee departure, Scalefusion allows only the corporate data to be wiped—personal data remains intact.

Key Elements of a BYOD Policy to Protect Privacy

To safeguard user privacy and data security, ensure your organization implements the following best practices in your BYOD policy:

1. Containerization: Keep work and personal data separate with secure containers for work-related apps and data.

2. Strong Authentication: Enforce strong passcodes, biometric security, or two-factor authentication for accessing work apps.

3. Encryption: Ensure that data on devices is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access.

4. Remote Wipe: Implement the ability to remotely wipe only corporate data in the event of a lost device or when an employee leaves.

Benefits of BYOD with Scalefusion

1. Enhanced Security: Scalefusion ensures that work-related data is secure, while personal data remains private and protected.

2. Improved Employee Experience: Employees can use their personal devices for work without worrying about privacy invasions or unnecessary monitoring.

3. Convenience: Employees can manage both personal and work tasks from a single device, with access to essential work apps while keeping personal content secure.

Conclusion: A Balanced Approach to BYOD

By adopting Scalefusion’s MDM platform, organizations can secure corporate data while providing employees with the freedom to use their personal devices for work. Scalefusion’s privacy-first approach, combined with strong security features, ensures that employees’ personal information remains untouched while their work-related data stays secure.

For a more detailed understanding of Scalefusion's BYOD capabilities, check out our complete documentation on managing BYOD devices securely.