Employee knowledge of social networking risks is vital

Fri, 09 Jul 2010

Employees must be made aware of employer rules on social media use if they are allowed access such tools in the workplace, it has been claimed.

Dan Raywood, online news editor at IT security publication SC Magazine, warned employers to ensure their staff are "familiar with policy on broadcasting information and attachments" when granting access to websites like Facebook.

He said that "primarily it comes down to employees" whether or not an organisation elects to allow social networking in the workplace.

"If you want to attract the best and want the best performance, you give them what they want," he explained.

Businesses should make sure that staff are also "aware of security issues when it comes to web use", Mr Raywood added.

He was commenting after malware tools provider Norman claimed that social media platforms are increasingly being used by cybercriminals to spread malicious software.

According to Infosecurity Europe, the use of new technologies such as social networks and cloud computing has increased the vulnerability of UK organisations to cyber attacks.

Posted by Alex Boardman

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