SIR – I’d like to bring to the attention of Security Management Today’s readers the content of the 2004 Information Security Breaches Survey published by the DTI, and specifically the risk it highlights of prison sentences being handed down to managers who don’t take reasonable steps to prevent serious network abuse by employees.

Internet misuse goes far beyond staff simply wasting time at work. Companies are now legally obliged to stop serious incidents of Internet misuse, including the storage of illegal pornographic material. As things stand, the law fixes criminal responsibility on companies that own and service the systems.

Aside from the very clear implications of harbouring pornography, companies are also experiencing lost productivity and opening themselves up for litigation procedures courtesy of employees subjected to distasteful images.

Corporate security managers must be looking to implement strict IT usage policies alongside clear and totally unambiguous disciplinary guidelines.

Robert May, Managing Director, RAMSAC

Source

SMT