It wasn't long ago that Apple products like iPad and iPhone were heavily sought after, both in the enterprise and within the MSP community. I remember a few years ago when iPads started to show up at MSPWorld events; I knew something big was taking place when a consumer focused product started finding its way into professional IT hands.
Fast forward a few years and today we see Apple starting to take some public hits regarding its security. Particularly, iOS 6.1 has recently come under attack, again. In the last several weeks, Apple has acknowledged two vulnerabilities in its iOS; the most recent reportedly impacting Microsoft Exchange users. As a result of these vulnerabilities, CIOs (as reported by the Wall Street Journal) and managed service providers are now advising their end users to hold off on upgrading to iOS 6.1. This vulnerability raises a larger issue pertaining to MSPs.
Is the BYOD Apple Turning Brown?
I'm not sure if anyone has credited Apple exclusively with creating the BYOD frenzy we find ourselves in today, but I'm sure Apple had a lot to do with it, particuarly the iPad. BYOD, as a larger phenonon, is undoubtedly here and it is impacting how MSPs interact with their customers. My sense is customers are forcing sometimes unwilling and unprepared MSPs into a relationship that is not in either party's best interest. Customers who set policy and expect their MSP to follow is never good advice. Furthermore, MSPs who follow their customers rather than having processes and procedures capable of serving and protecting the customer IT environment defeats the purpose of managed services entirely.
BYOD Achilles Heel
The Apple bug impacts MSPs directly because unlike other mobile systems like RIM, MSPs are not in control of how their end users update their devices. Individual users must decide to upgrade on their own. Even if you view this bug as an inevitable occurrence MSPs still need to solve the larger issue how will they deal with buggy devices that must still work in the company.
Like all fads or movements, there is the eventual realization that there are weaknesses in everything. If it weren't for this universal truth, MSPs would not exist. MSPs, however need to take a serious look at their BYOD policies and figure out what their own liability is and how to minimize it. Waiting for Apple is not an acceptable reply to a trouble ticket from an annoyed end user.
