IT departments are unable to support employee devices

Security concerns are holding companies back from allowing staff to use their own technology at work, according to a study.

Around 70% of companies said they would allow personal devices such as smartphones to be used in the workplace if there were no security risks, but only 10% are currently able to offer this as an option, found research from enterprise mobility firm Good Technology.

"With so many great options on the market, more and more people want to consolidate their work and personal devices, but the majority of UK businesses don't currently feel equipped to support these requests in a secure way," said Andrew Jacques, vice-president at Good Technology.

Security (36%) and lack of control over devices (32%) were listed as the top concerns for IT departments.

But speaking to Computer Weekly, Hampshire County Council CIO Jos Creese said the organisation was already trialling the use of smartphones as a way to reduce costs.

"In the past organisations used to provide vehicles for staff, but now the days of lease cars are over. It's not so different now with technology as devices [such as smartphones and laptops] become more ubiquitous," said Creese.

Of the 150 organisations surveyed by Good Technology, 22% said they offered the option of tablets, found.