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/
This scenario is always something i have feared, and is why i almost never send personal emails at while i am at work. First of all it could fall into the wrong hands, and what if a supervisor received the email, not only would it be embarrassing, but also it is direct proof that you were wasting their time at work. My sister accidently sent a text that she meant to send to a friend to a lady she was babysitting for, and it was something that was seriously embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Clark
I would not send personal emails while I am at work. You never know who could be monitoring your access of the internet. You want to avoid any chance of your emails being accessed or sent to the wrong person while your at work. Many people gossip in the workplace as well which is another reason why you should limit what and how you say things on the job.
ReplyDeleteI've never really thought about this. That is true though. Using the Internet for personal reasons at work can open up many possibilities for hackers to gain access to private company information. That's pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is probably the best bet to all together not send personal emails at work. If needed to email someone I think would just use my phone to do it, so there's no chance of the wrong person reading it.
ReplyDeleteErica Blackwell
I agree with Anne why would you take the chance of being caught by your employer. When all you have to do is get a smart phone and send your personal stuff through that. If I was the employer I would be have certain security measures set up just in case one of my employees did that.
ReplyDelete