State of Social Media at the Workplace

Positive or Negative?

The state of social media at the workplace has been an ongoing discrepancy whether it is positive or negative. Statistics show that 6 out of 10 employees access social media multiple times throughout the day. This can be a result of a negative outcome deterring those from focusing on work. At the same time, what if that same person is using multiple times of access to promote an event going on at their job? This is definitely a case of the internet being used in a positive manner. W. Edward Vesley, CMO of Silkroad Technology, states, "These new technologies can be used create business value, share information, engage employees - and even create dialogue with customers and prospects." Understanding when and how social media can use by employees can be just as a effective as it can be destructive.

Source: http://technorati.com/social-media/article/social-media-use-at-work-is/

- Evan Joyner

Data Leakage Through Email

When writing an Internet use policy, employers have more to be concerned about than just employees wasting time and being unproductive at work.  The largest source of data leakage is through email.  Half of all employees admitted to accidentally sending an embarrassing or sensitive email to the wrong person while at work.  This could cause important company information to fall into the wrong hands.  Once a problem like this happens it can cost the company millions of dollars, as well as the respect and trust of other companies and customers.  Here are some examples of some of the worst case scenarios.  Most companies don't take measures to prevent these types of problems; its not until after something has happened that they take action, at which point it is too late.  Since almost half of all security beaches are caused by an organizations own employees, businesses need to take measures to protect their information.  Companies can get protection through software that scans all incoming and outgoing messages as well as examine any attachments.  

Erica Blackwell

Sources:
http://www.sophos.com/en-us/press-office/press-releases/2007/11/data-leakage-poll.aspx
http://www.vircom.com/en/products/email-data-leakage-policy-management/
http://www.net-security.org/secworld.php?id=9806
http://www.networkworld.com/research/2008/010708-data-leak-nightmares.html

http://www.vircom.com/en/products/email-data-leakage-policy-management/

The BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) Trend is on the Rise

   BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)

  BYOD is a practice where businesses/ employers allow their employees to bring their own personal devices to work. This practice is becoming more and more popular, and with anything there are both pros and cons. Let us examine some of  the benefits and issues with the practice BYOD.

PROS of BYOD

       The BYOD practice and benefit companies financially because they don’t have to purchase equipment to provide to staff. Not only does this cut the cost of purchasing the equipment but it also cuts down on the cost to maintenance and repair them as well. This money saved can be used towards other things. Also, The ability for employees to work almost anywhere is said to increase productivity. Employees no longer have to be at a work station to get work done.

CONS of BYOD

      One of the biggest concerns with the BYOD practice is security. Often times when employees are able to log into the companies Wi-Fi in opens the door way for intrusion. Employees also often share their computers with other people which could be harmful to important company files. A problem that also arises with the BYOD trend is that it it also hard to regulate what employees are able to do on their personal devices.

What should be done?

Companies should create BYOD device policies. Policies should include listing which devices are allowed, as well as:

·         Which employees are allowed  to bring their own device?

·         Who will pay for the management and repairs of the device, the company or the employee?

·         What type of devices are acceptable, Are devices with cameras and video-recording capabilities allowed?

·         What are the consequences for not complying with the policy?

Sources/ Articles:

http://www.channelweb.co.uk/crn-uk/news/2217910/one-in-five-companies-shuns-byod-policies

http://gulfnews.com/business/technology/region-braces-for-new-security-challenges-as-byod-trend-grows-1.1090678

Prohibiting Personal Use vs. Acceptable Use Policies

Some companies feel that it is absolutely necessary to have strict guidelines in place that completely prohibit the use of company computers and Internet connections for any type of personal use.  On the other hand some companies feel that a reasonable amount of using the Internet for personal reasons at work is acceptable and that having strict rules in place to prevent such usage would be impractical.  It is unknown which view is the most effective, so employers must decide which is the best for their company or business.

  Pros of Acceptable use Policies

Having an acceptable use policy which allows employees to use the Internet for their own personal use at work within a reasonable amount can allow for more creativity among workers.  Allowing employees to access their own social websites may also encourage more communication and collaboration between fellow employees within a business.  Many companies have began to change the way they conduct business due to a new generation coming to work, Generation Y, and an older generation retiring.  Generation Y workers are more likely to be connected constantly to the internet and are also used to doing work while not at a desk.  This makes them more likely to respond to work related emails when not at work, and with that they expect to be reciprocated and allowed to access personal email and social websites occasionally while at work.  Also with an acceptable use policy, employees feel more trusted by their employers and work harder for them.  When an employee does not feel trusted, or if they feel they are being scrutinized, their energy and enthusiasm  for their work may decline.  Employees should be responsible adults, so giving them this freedom     should not cause huge losses in profits.

 Pros of Prohibiting Personal Usage of the Internet at Work

It may be in a companies overall best interest to prohibit personal Internet usage at work.  Obvious reasons such as, employees being distracted, and loss of productivity contribute to employers putting strict rules into place against personal Internet use.  Another reason to consider prohibiting the Internet for personal reasons, is that it can protect employers from legal lawsuits.  If an employee commits an illegal act on a company computer, even if the employer is unaware, the company may be liable for that employee's actions online.  An example of this is the illegal downloading of music onto company computers.  Also, excessive downloading of files, such as videos, may also affect the performance and speed of a companies network.  

Conclusion

http://lifehacker.com/5938551/are-you-allowed-to-use-social-networks-at-work

Every company and business is different, and whatever is right for it must be decided upon by the head of the company or owner of the business.  Of course a small business with few employees would not need the same policies as would a large corporate office employing thousands of people.  So the type of business you run, the type of people that work for you, and the type of boss you wish to be seen as all play a role in what kind of Internet use you allow from your employees.  

Erica Blackwell 

Internet Surveillance: Is internet bureaucracy worth losing your employee’s morale at their job?

What is Internet Bureaucracy and its importance?

Internet bureaucracy is a set rules and procedures for internet use within an administration. Internet bureaucracy objective is regualte internet use so a company will run efficiently. Everyday employees on the job use the internet to maximize their work performance, but what about those that abuse the internet insufficiently that initially hurt the company? However, monitoring your employee comes with its pros and cons.  

Why might Internet Bureacracy effect employee morale?

It is always important to remember that your employees are the base of the organization. Each employee has their own unique essence that they contribute toward the company's agenda. To receive the maximum contribution from these members, you must have their maximum participation; to have their maximum participation, their morale must be at its pinnacle. Morale of an employee is established by one’s sense of worth in the company and their sense of privacy and comfort. Internet bureaucracy has an effect on both of those characteristics that establish employee morale, rather those effects be positive or negative. Positive effects include increase of employee work productivity, less malware, spyware, virus infections, etc. that all lead to a decrease in financial burdens. With every pro characteristic, there is a negative one to follow along. It’s stated that potential employee morale can be in question due to the effects of company internet surveillance.

Below, is a set of guidelines and procedures that state current use of internet at GFI Software. In the disadvantages section, it states that employees have a feeling of being untrusted that lowers morale, and that studies show evidence of a positive correlation between work morale and productivity.

Example of morale being effected by internet monitoring

Conclusion

It is important to determine an equilibrium in which internet misuse at work is understood by your employees without them feeling offended. You do not want you employees to get the feeling that they are being watched over by the “big brother” of the company. So, is internet bureaucracy worth losing your employee’s moral at their job?

Image from http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/ext/275.htm

Please post your thoughts and comments