What security risks are associated with allowing employees to use jailbroken or rooted smartphones in a BYOD policy?

Allowing employees to use jailbroken or rooted smartphones in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy can significantly heighten security risks, primarily due to increased susceptibility to malware infections.

Jailbreaking or rooting a device typically removes the manufacturer’s or carrier's security restrictions, which were put in place to protect the device from malicious software and unauthorized access to sensitive data. This means that users can install applications from non-official sources that may not have undergone proper security vetting. As a result, these apps can introduce vulnerabilities that enable malware to infiltrate the device, leading to unauthorized access to corporate data and personal information.

In addition to the potential for malware, jailbroken or rooted devices typically do not receive regular security updates from manufacturers, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched and making the devices appealing targets for cybercriminals. Consequently, employing a BYOD policy that permits such devices can expose an organization to data breaches and compliance violations, which could have serious legal and financial implications.

The other choices may appear beneficial in certain contexts, but they do not address the serious security implications associated with using compromised devices. Enhanced performance, compatibility, and potential data plan savings do not outweigh the risks posed by allowing devices that have bypassed critical security measures.