'Shadow BYOD' Practices Put Gov't Data at Risk

Many federal employees are using personal devices to access potentially sensitive government data and are engaging in risky behaviors that could put the devices and data at risk, despite acknowledging policies that prohibit them from using these devices at work, according to a new survey of 1,000 U.S. federal employees. The study, released by mobile security provider Lookout, finds that at least half of federal employees are using their personal devices at work and many are engaging in a "shadow BYOD" practices. Even if government agencies have BYOD, or bring-your-own-device, policies or rules in place, employees are ignoring them. Lookout's own data supports the survey findings. In an analysis of 20 federal agencies, Lookout found 14,622 Lookout-enabled devices associated with those agency networks, which encountered 1,781 app-based threats. Here are the key takeaways from the survey that indicate the need for government agencies to implement technologies around device management and mobile security to protect their data while allowing employees to use their mobile devices.