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If you’re like many of the business leaders I speak to, you may be asking yourself: “Should we issue corporate-owned devices, or let people bring their own?” It’s not an easy call. Make the wrong choice, and you risk overspending, introducing productivity blockers, or exposing yourself to compliance issues.
This decision doesn’t just impact costs and compliance, but employee satisfaction and cyber security as well. Choosing the wrong approach for your business can lead to higher expenses, frustrated staff, or even data breaches. Over the years, I’ve helped businesses of all sizes navigate this dilemma – which has saved time, money, and headaches.
In this article, I’ll explain the pros and cons of each model, share the pitfalls most businesses overlook, and give you clear guidance on how to make the right call for your organisation.
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What This Blog Covers:
- BYOD: Flexible, But Far From Foolproof
- Corporate-Owned Devices: Paying More, But Getting More
- Hybrid Models: A Middle Ground
- Here’s What You Need to Consider Before Deciding
- Making the Right Choice for Your Business
BYOD: Flexible, But Far From Foolproof
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is when employees use their personal phones for work. As hybrid and remote work become the norm, more and more businesses are relying on this option to keep their employees operational. Understandably so, given that mobiles are essential tools for the modern business. At first glance, BYOD appears to be a no-brainer: no device costs for the business, employees already know their phones, and it feels flexible.
However, when you look a little closer, you’ll find that it’s not as convenient as it seems. From malware from unsecure downloads, to credential theft that can lead to deeper breaches, BYOD can introduce some serious cyber security risks when it isn’t managed properly. It can also be a bit tricky to pinpoint who’s responsible in the event of a data leak from a personal Dropbox, for example.
The biggest challenge is that you don’t have control of the devices that have access to company data. Given that you don’t have visibility of your employees’ personal phones, you don’t know what’s on them and how they’re being used. This opens the door to shadow IT, because if you don’t give people the tools they need to get their jobs done as quickly and efficiently as possible, they’ll find their own. That means sensitive data ends up in apps or cloud services you’ve never even heard of.
Everyone using their own devices also means that they aren’t all the same. Older phones may not have the latest software update installed, which is both a security risk and a potential bottleneck for productivity. In some cases, people might not even be able to access certain work apps if their devices aren’t up to date.
Don’t get me wrong: BYOD is still very much a viable option, especially if you’re a lean SMB with strong IT controls in place, and compliance isn’t a major concern. I would just be remiss if I didn’t paint a realistic picture for you. With the right management tools – like mobile device management (MDM) – and an updated mobile strategy in place, you’ll have more peace of mind.
Corporate-Owned Devices: Paying More, But Getting More
Corporate-owned devices are exactly what they sound like: phones (and sometimes tablets) purchased and managed by the business. Employees use them exclusively for work, although in some setups, they may also be able to use them personally, to a certain extent. Because you own and manage the device, you can enforce strict security controls and policies. And I’ve found that corporate-owned is usually a safer bet for regulated industries like finance, healthcare and legal.
This option gives you the ability to decide which apps are allowed and block everything else, prevent backups to personal Google or Apple accounts, and push work apps directly through MDM without relying on Apple IDs or Google accounts. All of this, of course, comes at a price; however, you’re paying for the control BYOD doesn’t give you.
Having a more granular level of control reduces compliance risks and keeps your data where it belongs. Plus, there’s a talent angle too: offering top-end devices like the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy can make your business more attractive to new hires. (On the condition that you have measures in place that ensure these devices are actually used, and not just bait.)
Hybrid Models: A Middle Ground
Given that there are pros and cons to both models, the best option usually isn’t corporate-owned or BYOD, but both. There are two main types of hybrid models:
- COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled): The company owns and manages the device, but allows limited personal use.
- CYOD (Choose Your Own Device): Employees choose from a pre-approved list of devices, balancing flexibility with standardisation.
These strike a balance between visibility and flexibility: businesses get control and compliance, while employees get some freedom. Every business can benefit from these approaches, but I’ve found that hybrid tends to be best suited for SMBs who want security without completely removing employee choice.
However, you need to make sure that your corporate-owned devices don’t end up tied to personal Apple IDs or Google accounts — or you risk turning them into “expensive bricks” if the employee leaves.
Here’s What You Need to Consider Before Deciding
If you’re weighing your options, here’s the framework I give to clients:
- Ownership clarity: Make sure corporate devices actually stay corporate-owned. Otherwise, you risk expensive devices turning into “bricks” if they’re tied to personal accounts.
- Security mechanisms: Think about how you will secure your data. In BYOD, enforce containerisation (e.g., Microsoft work profiles) so company data is separate from personal data. That way, you can wipe work apps without touching family photos.
- End-user involvement: Train your people and involve them in the decision. Policies work better when staff understand the risks and feel part of the process.
On the last point, your mobile device strategy should empower your people while protecting your business. You might think employees strongly prefer one model over the other, but in my experience, it all boils down to personal preference. When we surveyed an internal group here at Babble, it was pretty much a 50/50 split. Some want the convenience of one device, while others prefer a clean break between work and personal life. But the key is not to assume.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is businesses rolling out a one-size-fits-all policy. If your device usage policy is too vague, employees will interpret it in their own way. On the other hand, if your corporate devices are too locked down, staff will find workarounds — and you end up with shadow AI or shadow IT.
Another mistake is only thinking about today’s costs. Whichever model you choose, don’t just look at upfront costs. Factor in the hidden IT overhead, compliance risks, and, most importantly, your employee preferences.
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing between corporate-owned and BYOD doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Once you weigh your risks, costs, and culture, the right path becomes clearer.
Remember, this isn’t just a cost decision. It’s about keeping your business secure, productive, and compliant while giving your employees the tools they need and work best with.
This isn’t a decision you need to make on your own, either – that’s where I come in. My goal is to help you stop guessing and start aligning your device strategy with your business’s unique needs.
Get in touch with me today. I’ll help you review your current setup, uncover risks you might not see, and guide you toward the model that best supports your business.
