BYOD Saves Money But Increases Risks for Small Businesses
CHICAGO, Ill. (PRWEB) February 05, 2013
Running a small business involves constant cost-benefit analysis. Each minute and dollar spent is one that must yield additional returns. That’s why it’s often easy to get roped into the latest technology fad that promises convenience and cost savings. TechInsurance, the nation’s leading online insurance provider for information technology businesses, has seen a notable increase in cyber liability coverage from small and micro businesses exploring bring-your-own-device (BYOD) approval, which empower employees to use their personal devices – from smartphones to tablets and laptops – for work and at work.
In a CDW survey of small businesses released in October 2012, 89 percent of IT managers said employees were embracing BYOD approval and using personal, non-company issued mobile devices for work. Yet just half of those IT managers thought their business had an effective strategy to deal with these devices.
“Small and micro businesses are particularly vulnerable to the challenges that arise from BYOD,” said Ted Devine, chief executive officer of TechInsurance. “Without a technology department to effectively manage these devices, small and micro business owners need to ensure their insurance coverage is comprehensive and protects against risks of data loss, viruses, and malware on non-company devices.”
TechInsurance recommends that small and micro businesses update their insurance coverage to include the following, which are part of TechInsurance’s suite of products:
Cyber Liability Insurance: Mobile devices are particularly vulnerable to malware and hackers, who often look for the path of least resistance. Cyber Liability coverage protects against expenses and liability from the theft or loss of data and/or breach of data security and privacy.
Errors and Omissions Insurance: This type of coverage protects your business from claims that you or one of your employees was negligent in carrying out professional duties. If, for instance, loss or theft of a mobile device resulted in exposure of customer data or inability to complete a time-sensitive project, Errors and Omissions Insurance would protect against related expenses and liability.
In addition to insurance coverage, formal BYOD guidelines should be accompanied by employee education and a thorough set of standards on how to handle company information. “Business owners cannot assume that because they have ceded responsibility for purchasing devices that they hold no responsibility for how those devices are used,” Devine notes. “Quite the opposite, both in practice and in terms of business liability.”
TechInsurance gives small and micro businesses access to the nation’s most respected, A-rated business insurance carriers as well as licensed insurance agents trained to identify the best possible insurance products to meet their needs. For more information on TechInsurance’s offerings, please visit http://www.techinsurance.com.
About TechInsurance
TechInsurance is a web-based e-agent that offers IT businesses and professionals fast, easy, one-stop shopping for all their Commercial Property Insurance and liability needs. TechInsurance was founded in 1997 in response to the difficulty IT services firms had finding high-quality, affordable business insurance. With more than 51,000 businesses insured since 1997, the company has grown to become America’s leading online provider of business and professional insurance for computer consulting, web services companies, and other IT service businesses. For information, visit http://www.techinsurance.com.
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