Key Takeaways
- A mobile device policy can help to define how company-issued and personal devices may be used for work and how information should be protected.
- It can work to clearly set out acceptable and non-acceptable use, along with the consequences of non-compliance.
- The policy should help to reduce security risks, including unauthorised access, data loss and misuse of company information.
- Mobile device policies can help to support ISO/IEC 27001 by helping organisations manage device-related risks within their Information Security Management System (ISMS).
- Common implementation challenges may include employee resistance, managing ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) arrangements, and keeping the policy up to date.
What Is a Mobile Device Policy?
A mobile device policy is an organisational document that can help to set out the rules and procedures for using company-issued or personally owned mobile devices for business purposes. Mobile device policies also set out requirements for the secure storage, handling and transmission of confidential information.
This policy can help to define acceptable and unacceptable activities relating to mobile device use and explains the consequences of non-compliance.
Examples of acceptable & non-acceptable device use:
Depending on your business, acceptable use could be;
- Accessing organisational email, calendars and approved business applications for legitimate work purposes.
- Connecting to organisational systems using approved security controls, such as authentication mechanisms and encryption, where required.
On the contrary, non-acceptable use could be;
- Accessing organisational systems or information without authorisation or beyond the level of access granted.
- Storing, transmitting or sharing confidential or sensitive information using unapproved applications, services or communication channels.
- Circumventing or disabling security controls applied to mobile devices, such as encryption, authentication or remote management tools.
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Why are Mobile Device Policies Important for UK Businesses?
By establishing clear expectations and controls for the use of company-issued mobile devices, organisations can work to reduce the risks associated with unauthorised access to, or misuse of, corporate assets. At the same time, a mobile device policy can help to provide guidance for employees who use their own personal devices for work-related activities.
Why Does a Mobile Device Policy Matter for ISO Certification?
A mobile device policy is important for ISO/IEC 27001 because it helps organisations manage the security risks linked to using mobile phones, tablets and other portable devices for work.
It should help to set clear rules on how devices can be used to protect company information from loss, misuse or unauthorised access. This could help to support the organisation’s information security management system and helps to meet relevant ISO 27001 controls.
Challenges Businesses May Face When Implementing a Mobile Device Policy
Employee resistance: Staff may be reluctant to accept restrictions on how they use mobile devices, particularly where personal devices are used for work purposes.
Managing personal devices (BYOD): Applying consistent security controls to businesses which use a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ (BYOD) setup, may be difficult, especially where privacy and data protection concerns arise.
Keeping the policy up to date: Mobile technology, applications and security threats change frequently, which may mean this policy requires regular review and updates to ensure the policy remains effective and relevant.
FAQs
A device policy is a set of rules that defines how devices such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops may be used for work purposes. It outlines acceptable use, security requirements and responsibilities to help protect organisational information and systems.
An example of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is an employee using their personal smartphone or laptop to access work email, company applications or documents.
Yes. BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) remains highly relevant today. Research indicates that many employees use personal devices for work, with studies showing that around 44% of workers use their own phones for work tasks (such as email or access to business systems) and a significant portion do so regardless of formal policy. (Tech Radar, 2025)
This trend reflects broader shifts towards hybrid and flexible working models, where employees increasingly expect to use personal devices alongside or instead of company-provided hardware.
Yes. According to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), there are several risks BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) might open businesses up to.
This is because personally owned devices can often lack the same protections as company-issued devices, making it harder for organisations to control access, enforce updates or prevent unauthorised use.
Personal devices may connect to insecure networks, run outdated software or mix business and personal data, increasing the likelihood of data loss, breaches or compromise of corporate systems.
The ICO UK guidance highlights that BYOD can expose organisations to significant risks unless appropriate controls such as strong authentication, encryption and clear policies are in place.
For the purposes of a mobile device policy, examples of mobile devices typically include smartphones, tablets, laptops, removable media devices, and wearable devices that can store or access organisational information.
