E D I T O R ’ S
L E T T E R
Social Concerns
In 2007, Ontario’s Ministry of Government Services took a stand against social media. It was just three years ago that the provincial ministry announced it was tired of its employees surfing the Internet, particularly web sites like Facebook, YouTube and MySpace, that were growing in popularity. By blocking civil servants from ac- cessing social media sites, the Ontario government was saying it had enough of un- productive workers who were increasingly turning to social networking — at all times of the day and on corporate computers and networks — to keep in touch with friends or to see the latest dog-on-water-skis video. At the time, the news of the ministry’s tough stand against “improper” use of the Internet at work made headlines across the country for it was one of the first employers in Canada to set concrete policies and guidelines regarding Internet use in the workplace.
Its decision to limit social media access – not to mention access to other, more unsavoury web sites — was made in the name of employee productivity. Turn the clock ahead to 2010 and it is obvious that more and more companies are starting to examine and incorporate their own polices and controls when it comes to monitoring, policing and even limiting access to the Internet. Whereas three years ago, the central issue in this debate was productivity, today it is secu- rity concerns that are driving businesses to closely examine their approach to the Internet and social media.
Evidence of this can be found in the recently released 2010 TELUS/Rotman IT Joint Study on Canadian IT Security Practices, in which 17 per cent of re- spondents said they block social media for security concerns, while 14 per cent do so for productivity reasons. Another six per cent stated they block access to protect their brand.
As time moves on, more and more companies will shut off the tap to the Face- books and Twitters of the Web 2.0 world because of the increasing number of web attacks that are filtering down to corporate networks. Canadian businesses simply can’t afford to be infected by malware, virus and botnets that can cause irrevocable damage to their reputation and bottom line. Not to mention the danger of data — accidently or maliciously — being posted online for the wrong eyes to see. Here is where brand and intellectual property protection becomes a concern. Today’s on-the-ball business leaders are tackling this issue head on, simply by asking themselves questions like: what web sites should staff be allowed to visit? What business benefits does providing Internet and social media access provide? When should staff members be allowed to surf?
All good questions indeed and ones every corporate executive must ask as the world, in particular the workplace, becomes a more social place to live.
Publisher/Editor Paul Grossinger
paul@securitymattersmag.com
Director, New Business Development Frank Shoniker
Advertising Sales Paul Grossinger
Art Director Mark Tzerelshtein
markintoshdesign.com
Contributors Lynn Greiner Ian Harvey
Koreen Kimakowich Jack Kohane Brent MacLean Meaghan McCluskey Lance Naismith Theresa Rowsell
Security Matters provides Canadian businesses with information that helps them secure their staff, assets, facilities and data. It is published six times a year by KAP Publishing Ltd.
The views expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of Security Matters. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of KAP Publishing Ltd. The content of this publication is provided for the general guidance and benefit of our readers. While efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information at the time of publication, errors and omissions may occur.
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Security Matters Paul Grossinger
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“Instant Protection That Works”
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