CurrentWare Announces Common Console

CurrentWare, a worldwide leader in Internet security software solutions, is pleased to introduce an enhanced new architecture of their Internet filtering and tracking software, BrowseControl and BrowseReporter version 4.0.

Now available on an even more powerful and robust common console, CurrentWare Console, the Internet filtering and monitoring policies of both BrowseControl and BrowseReporter can efficiently be administered through this common interface.

The clients for BrowseControl and BrowseReporter have also been combined into one common client, offering improved deployment through Active Directory, 3rd party deployment tools or through remote installation from the CurrentWare Console.

Discover the new CurrentWare console at http://www.currentware.com

Solutions available on the new CurrentWare Console include:

• BrowseControl is the industry’s most comprehensive Internet blocking and filtering solution. Block inappropriate websites through the Blocked List. Enable access to authorized sites through the Allowed List. Improve productivity by blocking online games or chat programs through the Application Blocker.
• BrowseReporter is a reliable and accurate solution for monitoring users’ Internet browsing activity. Identify the sites visited and the time spent at each site on a per user or per computer basis. Generate detailed or executive level reports/charts to isolate users who are abusing the Internet usage.
• enPowerManager is a lightweight tool for effectively managing the energy usage of PCs across an enterprise. Create effective
  energy management policies for shutting down and booting PCs on a regular basis, thus eliminating unnecessary energy usage.

World Cup fevor reaching businesses?

While the biggest football tournament on earth is great news for me, and for football fans all over the world, business’s may be less excited. With matches readily available to watch over the internet and times clashing with working hours, the number of unaffected businesses will be very small indeed.

Effective internet management plays a large part in negating this but the approach taken will very much vary from business to business. Some will opt to block their staff from websites they feel will be counter productive while others will allow full access and just keep track of how much time (and bandwidth) is spent following the World Cup. Then, of course, there is everything inbetween.

Naturally, the approach to take depends entirely on the type of company, the workplace environment, and the damage that following personal interests during working hours could have on the business.

Personally, I’m an advocate of the middle ground in most cases. If employees work hard and put in the extra mile, they should be rewarded and given an element of freedom to manage their personal lives at work. However, with a large proportaion of websites designed to immerse the viewer and keep them browsing, there is a fine line to be drawn. 

The internet allows for the work/home lives to merge considerably and this flexibility can enhance the morale of the staff and actually increase productivity. On the other hand, it can (and often will) impair productivity and very quickly contribute to an office environment operating far below it’s potential.

Suprisingly, bandwidth use is something often overlooked when it comes to web restriction or monitoring and is a key element. Streaming or downloading video places a considerable strain on company networks as corporate bandwidth limits are met or exceeded. Internet access across the business will slow down, emails will take longer to send and recieve, and vital day to day process will be affected as a result.

What I am in no doubt of is that internet activity needs to be monitored and (in most companies) some websites need to be blocked. Employers and managers need to be aware when someone is taking advantage of resources to quickly prevent the problem becoming more of an issue.

Web Policies: Everyone needs to Know!

It is increasingly important for companies to effectively communicate their web at work policy to everyone in the organisation to ensure safe and productive browsing and to avoid confusion.

Firms have generally become more relaxed about the personal use of IT at work, as the costs of supplying internet and PCs have come down. They should be reasonable in setting rules and communicate them effectively to employees, Netsafe executive director Martin Cocker says.

“Many companies are saying, `Yes, you can use Trade Me, but only in your lunch break’.”

However, Sarah Trotman, managing director of business network Bizzone, says businesses have become stricter about employees using social networking sites at work.

Firms are often finding that employees are “twittering” or blogging on behalf of the business without their knowledge, and employees are often more clued up about social networking sites and the web than business owners.

“It has become more challenging to control the amount of information going out about their own business.”

Mr Cocker says surveys have shown small and medium-sized businesses often have incomplete IT policies and security.

This was highlighted by the Safe Air email controversy. An employee at the Woodbourne aviation engineering firm was dismissed for sending 425 lewd emails at work over a six-month period, but the Employment Relations Authority ordered Safe Air to reinstate the worker, since he was unclear about acceptable standards for IT use.  

Web socialising at work reduces output

Facebook at work amounts to social “not-working”, according to a new survey that shows employee productivity is hit by people socialising on the internet during office hours.

A new study by Boston IT advisory firm, Nucleus Research found that, companies that allow users to access Facebook in the workplace lose an average 1.5% in total worker productivity.

Nearly half of employees in the recent social net-working study use Facebook during work hours some as much as two hours per day. The average worker uses it for 15 minutes a day, and most couldn’t come up with a legitimate “business reason” for logging on.

The survey of 237 employees also showed that 77% of workers who have a Facebook account use it during work hours. And “some” employees use the social networking site as much as two hours a day at work, the study found.

Do you think blocking social networking sites is a good idea?

To restrict Facebook access at work see BrowseControl. Click here for a free trial or feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.

Internet Surfing Restricted for British MP’s

An Internet filter on the Parliament IT system blocks access to websites that contain “offensive or illegal content or are sources of malicious software”.

The policy emerged after an MP was unable to access the Daily Sport site.

“Because of the things they are trying to censor they may have made an assumption about this particular website,” said Lembit Opik, MP.

Guidance issued to all MPs in December 2007 warns that they have a duty to ensure the Parliamentary network is used properly “by themselves and their staff” and to avoid actions that “threaten the integrity of the system or bring it into disrepute”.

The aim is to protect security but also to “help to prevent users of the network from being exposed to inappropriate material”.

The web filtering system also “collects data related to user activity, including user names and all websites visited whether blocked or not and will be retained for a period of 12 months”, it adds.

MPs who try to access sites deemed inappropriate are presented with a screen asking them to contact the Commons authorities for permission to view the material.

Those who break the rules face being disconnected from the system by the Serjeant-at-Arms.

Do you think MP’s should be allowed to browse freely?

For more information on how BrowseControl can help you restrict your internet access please click here.

BrowseReporter can track and monitor your browsing activity. Click here for more information or for a free 30 day trial.

Alternatively, please feel free to contact us for more information or to discuss your requirements.

88% of IT Managers unaware of Web dangers

The recent findings of an independent survey conducted by Dynamic Markets highlight that only 12% of IT managers in the UK believe that the ‘dynamic’ Web (the top 100 most popular sites) contains the biggest security threat when, according to a similar report focused on technical research, approximately 70% of the top 100 most popular websites have hosted or directed users to malicious code or put them at risk to fraudulent activity.

More than a third (37%) disclosed that employees at their organisation have tried to bypass IT security policies to access unapproved Web sites which fall into this category. This is despite the fact that 82% of respondents reported confidence in their organisation’s Web security although 9% of IT Managers aren’t even sure of their own IT security policies.

Unsurprisingly, more than half (57%) of IT managers believe that the internet is important to their business. The survey also highlights that three quarters (75%) of IT managers feel pressured to allow more access to the web for employees. This pressure is coming from all areas including management as a way to demonstrate trust in their staff. As the importance the internet plays in businesses continues to evolve, IT departments will face increasing pressure to strike a balance between preventing security risks whilst also allowing staff to access this business enhancing tool in a safe and secure way.

In an office environment, one way of allowing staff the freedom and trust to browse freely is to establish a comprehensive web use policy and to monitor business traffic.

How secure is your network?

Click here to learn more about how BrowseReporter can help you do this. Alternatively, please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements.