touchdown

[zambonidriver]

This might be a stupid question, but can an IT department tell if you are using a program like touchdown to sync emails on a personal device?

I have a work blackberry that is completely locked down and useless. I don't carry it often because of that but am tired of missing emails so I want to be able to check on my droid. My company has a strict policy of not syncing email on personal devices but it's counterproductive to be out of touch. Forget the policy, I'm not interested in thoughts on whether I should morally break the rules, I'm just asking if, technically, my company would be able to tell. I've setup touchdown trial to test and I know it works. I'm debating on whether I should keep it or just complain enough to let me use it. Thanks in advance.

 

[ranova]

They can tell, but I dont get why they have Exchange email setup and open to mobile devices, since you say it works, yet they have a strict policy against personal devices.

Im looking at my Outlook Web Access, and it lists my Device Model, Device OS, Device IMEI, and user agent.

 

[takeshi]

Forget the policy, I'm not interested in thoughts on whether I should morally break the rules, I'm just asking if, technically, my company would be able to tell.

I couldn't care less about the morality of it. Companies with policies like this tend to have disciplinary consequences, including termination, for violations like this. You should at least verify the policy and potential ramifications for your own job safety -- not for my concerns (which don't exist). It really doesn't matter to me if you're risking your own job loss.

...and yes, they can tell.

My company has a strict policy of not syncing email on personal devices but it's counterproductive to be out of touch.

Take it up with them.

I have a work blackberry that is completely locked down and useless. I don't carry it often because of that but am tired of missing emails so I want to be able to check on my droid.

Have them fix it if you're missing emails. We deploy several hundred Blackberries and none of them miss any email. Something's wrong with yours or your setup. It really sounds to me like you're looking for excuses to connect your personal device. What functionality do you need for business purposes that is locked down?

If they bother to implement IT policies to lock down their BB's and have a policy against personal devices, odds are very good that they also take action on violations of policy. Again, it's your call.

My company has no such policies and they don't care but I still wouldn't attach a personal device.