44 Basic BYOD Statistics: 2024 Market Share Analysis & Data

In the early 2010s, bring-your-own-device (BYOD) emerged as a widespread practice. A study showed that as much as 67% of employees use their personal devices for work. This is regardless of their organization’s rules or policies regarding BYOD, which are likely to be overseen through mobile device management software. Even if the practice was disallowed, they would continue to download sensitive data on their devices. Millennials, in particular, are notorious culprits.

That easily led to security breaches. Hackers would have an easier time accessing confidential information through employees’ personal devices. That is because workers are likely to connect to the Internet through unsecured networks.

That was the case then, however. How has BYOD changed in the past decade and what is in store for this practice in the future? These questions, among others, are what we will tackle in the following BYOD statistics.

BYOD Predictions

There is always new technology yearly. In fact, there seems to be something innovative that comes out regularly every year. Because of this, IT departments have been struggling to keep up. This has led many employees to prefer using their own devices for work. As a result, the workplace has evolved to become more flexible.

But that spells trouble for companies because of security. Personal smartphones, tablets, and computers are easier to access for cybercriminals. This is especially true in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as offices had to close due to tight restrictions. Employees had to use their own laptops and smartphones to access their organizations’ sensitive information.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, industry pundits had to adjust their predictions for the BYOD market.

• Previously, it was forecast to grow to $73.3 billion by 2021 from $35.10 billion in 2016, with a CAGR of 15.87. (Markets and Markets)
• This is the latest prediction for the field: from 2021 to 2026, the BYOD market is forecast to have a CAGR of 15%. (Mordor Intelligence, 2020)
• As connected wearable devices are expected to increase to more than 1.105 billion worldwide, employees can be quickly updated regarding work and even receive updates in real-time. (Cisco, 2019)
• North America is expected to have a large share of the BYOD market. However, Asia and the Pacific regions are forecast to have the highest growth. That is because smartphone users in North America are likely to increase to 442.73 million. Meanwhile, the number of users in Asia alone is projected to reach 3.339 billion. (Mordor Intelligence, 2020; Statista, 2021)
• The increase in the use of personal gadgets for work is fueling the growth of Enterprise Mobility Management solutions. At the end of 2025, the market is expected to have a value of $11.96 billion. (MarketWatch, 2021)
• It is the same with Mobile Device Management solutions and services. The market is anticipated to grow to $15.7 billion by 2025. (Markets and Markets, 2020)

BYOD Adoption Statistics

BYOD has been booming since the early 2010s but not everyone is eager to jump on board. Nevertheless, there is still a good number of commercial and non-business entities that implement BYOD or allow it in some way. It may be due to business exigencies, the fact that their employees are bringing their own devices anyway, or because IT decision-makers believe that BYOD is a good thing. In fact, in the US, 69% of IT professionals hold that belief. That figure can rise to 88% in other countries (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020).

• 85% of organizations implemented BYOD policies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Mordor Intelligence, 2020)
• Before the pandemic, 95% of organizations already allowed the use of personal devices for work in some form or manner. (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020)
• 87% of businesses are dependent on their employees being able to access business apps from their devices. (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020)
• 65% of employees actually give their personal phone numbers to customers prior to the pandemic. (Dialpad Team, 2020)
• 75% of employees who work with office phone systems forward work calls to their personal mobile phones. (Quasebarth, 2020)
• In another survey, 69% of respondents revealed that their companies allow employees to use their personal devices to complete tasks. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• Only 41% of organizations have complete control over the files being shared by users in enterprise messaging apps on mobile devices. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 37% of companies have control over connected cloud apps on users’ devices. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 30% of enterprises have no visibility or control at all when it comes to mobile enterprise messaging. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• Over a quarter of organizations have visibility into messages shared in private and public channels alike. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• Just 9% are capable of detecting malware in mobile enterprise messaging apps. This is detrimental to an organization, as malware is one of the most-used methods in cybercrime. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 69% of BYOD practitioners are employees. (Bitglass, 2020)
• 42% of companies use endpoint malware protection for BYOD security. (Bitglass, 2020)

Benefits of BYOD Statistics

It is no surprise that BYOD adoption has been on the rise, considering the benefits it provides. Employees are more productive, the workforce is happier, and organizations reap savings, too.

• A BYOD study showed that employees start working on tasks as soon as they receive them, allowing them to gain an extra 37 minutes per week. (Mordor Intelligence, 2020)
• US BYOD users gained the most extra minutes; they saved an average of 81 minutes per week. (Mordor Intelligence, 2020)
• 53% of organizations expressed that mobility has positively impacted business processes and employee productivity. (ResearchAndMarkets, 2020)
• BYOD employees have increased productivity—they can work an extra two hours daily. (Deyan, 2020)
• Nearly 30% of BYOD workers check their work emails before the official start of the workday, between 6 and 7 am. (Deyan, 2020)
• 61% of Gen Y employees are more effective and productive when using their personal technologies. (Bullock, 2019)
• Companies that have BYOD policies gain an additional saving of $350 per year per employee. (Bullock, 2019)
• The use of mobile or portable devices can help employees save 58 minutes per day. (Bullock, 2019)
• Employees can increase their productivity by 34% with a portable device. (Bullock, 2019)
• A BYOD employee can send 20 more emails daily. (RSI Security, 2019)
• 59% of IT departments would need physical access to a device to provision it for BYOD. (RSI Security, 2019)

Issues and Concerns about BYOD

While BYOD has plenty of benefits, it also poses numerous problems. In particular, organizations are most worried about sensitive corporate data being leaked. There is also the matter of employee privacy, which prevents businesses from implementing BYOD.

• 63% of organizations worry about data leakage (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 57% are concerned about users downloading unsafe apps or viewing unsafe content. That is because mobile devices can serve as attack vectors. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 55% cite lost or stolen devices as their main security concern regarding BYOD. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 52% are worried about malware. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• 2% are optimistic—they have no security concerns related to BYOD at all. (Help Net Security, 2020)
• Not being able to control endpoint security as well as concerns with device management, are major reasons why 47% of companies do not adopt BYOD. (Greig, 2020)
• As mentioned above, employee privacy is a major stumbling block to enterprises in adopting BYOD. 15% of respondents cited it as a major concern. (Greig, 2020)
• Cyberattacks can occur through BYOD—70% of respondents said they have visibility into email accounts on employees’ personal devices. (Greig, 2020)
• 40% of security breaches in organizations are due to lost or stolen devices or equipment. (Dialpad Team, 2020)
• Nearly 30% of employees have knowingly installed or used non-sanctioned apps at work, with 51% saying they do so because everybody does it. Thirty-six percent related that their IT department does not have the right to tell them what apps they could use on their phones. This is something that organizations have to guard against because these can be the starting point of cybercrime. (Horton, 2018)
• On the business side, BYOD can be used to increase competitiveness. Indeed, 36% of organizations imparted they do so to that end. (Chapman, 2020)
• 74% of organizations have visibility into emails in devices under BYOD. This potentially infringes on employee privacy, which is why 38% of organizations do not want to adopt BYOD. (Bitglass, 2020)
• Other than privacy concerns, organizations do not apply BYOD because of resistance from employees. 23% of companies did not push BYOD because workers do not want to use the apps required by their mobile device and application management solutions. (Bitglass, 2020)
• An astounding 30% of organizations have no safeguard against malware for their BYOD. (Bitglass, 2020)
• 42% are unaware of how much malware provisioned BYOD have downloaded in the past six months. (Bitglass, 2020)

Most Commonly Used Devices in BYOD Programs

Employees typically use various devices to access company resources in a BYOD program. The most commonly used devices in BYOD programs include:

• Smartphones: Smartphones are the most popular BYOD device due to their portability, connectivity, and ability to handle multiple tasks. Employees often use their smartphones to check emails, communicate via messaging apps, and access work-related documents.
• Laptops: Laptops are another frequently used device in BYOD programs. They offer the flexibility of a desktop setup but with mobility. Employees use laptops for more in-depth tasks like data analysis, presentations, and video conferencing.
• Tablets: Tablets, especially iPads and Android devices, are becoming increasingly common. These devices are preferred for their ease of use in meetings, quick document access, and lightweight design. Tablets are often chosen for their long battery life and user-friendly interfaces.
• Wearables (Smartwatches): Smartwatches are growing in popularity, primarily for convenience. Many employees use them to monitor notifications, track their health, and check essential alerts without pulling out their phones.
• Desktops (Less Common): While less common, some employees may use personal desktops in a BYOD program, especially for work that requires extensive screen space or higher processing power. These are usually in situations where portability is not a primary need.

Weighing the Benefits and Disadvantages of BYOD

BYOD is likely to become a core initiative in enterprises. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations could choose not to employ this practice. However, the pandemic has drastically changed how people work. It has become unavoidable for employees to use their own technologies in working, particularly in accessing and sharing confidential organizational data. Thus, companies have to be stringent in the security of their databases and networks; safeguard data without hampering the ease of access to information. They can do that with the best IT security software.

As long as there are strong policies and strict implementation, organizations can reap great benefits from BYOD. Employees show better productivity and feel that they are more effective when using their own devices for work. Companies can capitalize on this and have a happier workforce, too.

Key Insights

• BYOD Emergence and Growth: BYOD began gaining popularity in the early 2010s, with 67% of employees using personal devices for work despite company policies.
• Security Risks: Personal devices often connect to unsecured networks, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches.
• Pandemic Influence: COVID-19 significantly accelerated BYOD adoption as remote work became necessary, leading to revised market growth predictions.
• Market Forecasts: The BYOD market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 15% from 2021 to 2026, driven by increased use of personal and wearable devices.
• Adoption Rates: By 2020, 95% of organizations allowed some form of BYOD, with 85% implementing policies specifically due to the pandemic.
• Employee Productivity: BYOD enhances productivity, with employees gaining additional working minutes and showing increased effectiveness using personal devices.
• Cost Savings: Companies with BYOD policies save approximately $350 per employee annually and benefit from more efficient business processes.
• Security Concerns: Major concerns include data leakage, malware, and loss of control over endpoint security, with many organizations struggling to secure mobile enterprise messaging.
• Privacy Issues: Employee privacy remains a significant obstacle, as monitoring personal devices can infringe on privacy, leading to resistance against BYOD policies.

FAQ

1. What is BYOD, and why has it become popular? BYOD stands for “Bring Your Own Device,” a practice where employees use their personal devices for work purposes. It became popular due to the convenience, flexibility, and productivity it offers, especially as new technologies emerge regularly.
2. How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact BYOD adoption? The pandemic significantly accelerated BYOD adoption as many employees were forced to work from home, relying on their personal devices to access company information and perform work tasks.
3. What are the projected growth trends for the BYOD market? The BYOD market is forecast to grow with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2021 to 2026. This growth is driven by the increasing use of personal and wearable devices in the workplace.
4. What benefits does BYOD offer to organizations and employees? BYOD offers several benefits, including increased productivity, cost savings, and greater flexibility. Employees can work more efficiently, often gaining additional working minutes and feeling more effective using their own devices.
5. What are the main security concerns associated with BYOD? Key security concerns include data leakage, malware, unauthorized access to company data, and the inability to control endpoint security. Organizations must implement strong security policies to mitigate these risks.
6. How do companies address privacy issues with BYOD? Addressing privacy issues involves balancing security measures with respect for employee privacy. Organizations often face resistance to BYOD policies due to concerns about monitoring personal devices, making it crucial to find a middle ground that ensures both security and privacy.
7. What role does employee behavior play in BYOD security? Employee behavior is critical in BYOD security, as actions like connecting to unsecured networks, downloading unsafe apps, and resisting company-approved apps can create vulnerabilities. Educating employees about security best practices is essential.
8. How can organizations ensure effective BYOD implementation? Effective BYOD implementation requires robust IT security policies, regular training for employees on security practices, and the use of security software to monitor and protect devices without infringing on employee privacy.

References:

1. Bitglass. (2020). Bring Your Own Device. Bitglass’ 2020 Personal Device Report. San Francisco, CA: Bitglass.
2. Bullock, L. (2019, January 21). The future of BYOD: Statistics, predictions and best practices to prep for the future. Forbes.
3. Chapman, L. (2020, September 1). Benefits and risks of BYOD in field service management. MSI Data.
4. Cisco. (2020, March 9). Cisco Annual Internet Report (2018–2023) White Paper. San Jose, CA: Cisco Systems.
5. Deyan, G. (2021, March 18). 41 stunning BYOD stats and facts to know in 2020. TechJury.
6. Dialpad Team. (2020, July 20). How to safely allow employees to use their personal cell phones for work. Dialpad.
7. Greig, J. (2020, July 8). BYOD: A trend rife with security concerns. TechRepublic.
8. Help Net Security. (2020, July 9). BYOD adoption is growing rapidly, but security is lagging. Help Net Security.
9. Horton, C. (2018, September 22). Is BYOD Good or Bad for Your Business? tom’s HARDWARE.
10. Market Watch. (2021). Enterprise Mobility Management Market Current Trends, Segmentation, Key Players Analysis and Forecast to 2025. New York, NY: MarketWatch.
11. Markets and Markets. (2020). Mobile Device Management Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Deployment (Cloud and On-Premises), Organization Size (Large Enterprises and SMEs), Operating System, Vertical (BFSI, Telecom, Healthcare), and Region – Global Forecast to 2025. Pune, India: Markets and Markets.
12. Mordor Intelligence. (2020). Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Market – Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 – 2026). Telangana, India: Mordor Intelligence.
13. Quasebarth, N. (2019, May 29). Should employees use their personal phones for work? The pros and cons of BYOD. SpokePhone.
14. ResearchAndMarkets. (2020). Virtual Private Server Market – Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2020 – 2025). Dublin, Ireland: ResearchAndMarkets.
15. RSI Security. (2019, June 6). Pros & cons of bring your own device. RSI Security.
16. Statista (2021). Digital market outlook. Statista.

By Jenny Chang

Jenny Chang is a senior writer specializing in SaaS and B2B software solutions. Her decision to focus on these two industries was spurred by their explosive growth in the last decade, much of it she attributes to the emergence of disruptive technologies and the quick adoption by businesses that were quick to recognize their values to their organizations. She has covered all the major developments in SaaS and B2B software solutions, from the introduction of massive ERPs to small business platforms to help startups on their way to success.