BES Newbie Questions, should I do it?

[rmb.1221]

Good Morning,
I’m a total BB newbie. I had a Palm for a year, and while I liked it, I think a BB is more my speed.
The only reason I am really interested in BES is because sometimes I never log on all weekend, but I am forced to get my computer out and log in on Sunday because I can't remember what I have on Monday. My office is pretty casual, but there are some meetings I would want to make sure I am dressed/ prepared for, and sometimes I have early meetings.
I try to add anything on Mondays to my calendar manually, but it would be so much easier to just have it there.
We don't reimburse individuals for BES anymore, if you want it you pay yourself. I get a discounted plan through my husband's work though.
It's not the cost so much. I was wondering what other information is available to my company about my personal use, and my potential for putting the company at any risk through my personal use.
I'm not talking porn sites or anything. More shopping, news sites or messaging during what they might consider work hours. For example, I leave for lunch whenever the chance comes up, so some days it might be 10am or 2pm.
Am I paranoid? I think I am more concerned about security than the average user. I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Information Assurance. I think a lot of security risks come from employees not being aware that their actions can have an impact on the system.

Any advice is appreciated.

[JeffH]

One of the big selling points of a BES is that it allows the company to protect itself from what its employees might do with their access. To that end, the BES gives your admins complete control of your phone. For all practical purposes, it's no longer yours. The IT policy controls whether you can use the browser, install software, access the media card, use bluetooth, etc. I even read one that limited you to only calling numbers in the address book, and prohibited adding or editing the numbers that were there! That's pretty extreme. The admins can also log all your text messages and record who you called (if you called a number in your address book).

The advantages to you: over the air access to your calendar, task, contacts, and notes. The BES can back everything up, and can wipe your phone remotely if it is stolen.

You don't have to worry about hurting your company by getting on a BES. You might or might not care that the company will control your phone. All the restrictions and controls I listed are possible, but just because they can be done doesn't mean they are. You should ask your IT department what the IT policy controls or restricts, then make an informed choice.

[rmb.1221]

Thanks for the advice. That makes a lot of sense.

Do a lot of people commit phones they pay all costs on to their employer? I know people who write it off on their taxes, but I thought that really wasn’t legal. My company doesn’t require I have a home internet connection or cell phone for employment, it just makes things a lot easier if I do.

[JeffH]

My employer provides the phone and pays for the service. That leaves no ambiguity about who has the right and authority to control the phone. Using your own phone on the BES is not an option. That said, my IT policy is very lenient and doesn't enforce any of the possible controls I listed above. To me, putting your personally-paid-for phone on a BES wouldn't be a good deal, especially if you had to pay for the BES service as well. But that's just my opinion. I'd be surprised if a lot of people did what you are considering, but I don't know. You're smart to do your homework. A lot of people post asking how to get around the IT policy on their employer's phone. The short answer is, it can't be done.