More personal devices creeping into the workplace

Survey reveals growing percentage of staff feel their devices are 'more advanced', creating security headaches for employers

Two in three UK workers use at least one of their own devices for work purposes regardless of company IT policy, research from Mitel has claimed.

The survey, which questioned 1,000 UK workers, uncovered a lack of confidence in IT departments to deliver the latest technologies to the workplace, with 32 per cent of employees believing their devices are more advanced.

Some important differences between the IT expectations and demands of younger workers compared to older employees were also noted: 39 per cent aged 18 to 34 believed that their own devices were more advanced, compared with 28 per cent of those aged 35 and over.

When asked if they check with the IT department before bringing personal devices into the office, 20 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 said they did not, compared with eight per cent of those over 34.

Andy Elliot, marketing director at Mitel, said: “Today’s younger workforce has grown up using advanced computer devices and it is clear that they expect the same array of communication tools and devices at work that they have at home.”

However, he suggested IT departments should take new end-user demands into account.

“IT managers should be looking to put in place an agile communications architecture that provides end users with the freedom to use the technologies and devices they want, wherever they are, while keeping the IT department in complete control,” he added.