| Mobile computing devices including cell phones, tablets, and laptops are small and easily brought into the workplace where they can be used to access sensitive files, record private meetings, and take pictures of controlled company data, such as prototype drawings and specifications. The rapid proliferation of these devices at home and work has brought about new management challenges as well as personal challenges to using the technology productively and securely. Failing to manage the use of personal computing devices can compromise network security and increase IT management workload. The research used the quantitative method and a correlational design to examine whether relationships exist among BYOD policy, network security, and IT workload in United States based small businesses. The analysis did not reveal significant associations among the BYOD management approach, network security, and IT workload. There was a significant correlation between the number of network intrusions and IT workload. More research is needed to determine the causes for the low number of intrusions reported by small companies and for the seeming lack of significant differences in intrusions and IT workload based on BYOD policy. Small companies may not be expending the resources to adequately identify and counter the threats that are increasingly targeting the small business community. |
