Social networking in the workplace: Here to stay

A big worry among IT admins and execs has recently been the impact of social networking on the workplace. With malware outbreaks like the Koobface virus, there's no doubt as to why that is. Unfortunately, the more IT admins try to prevent the use of social networking in the workplace, it's likely end-users will find ways around it. Twitter is a great example of a new application that has Facebook ties for example.

Network World published this an article discussing that social networking in the workplace is here to stay. They also included a pointer to 12 tips for safer social networking. While these are mostly end-user tips, it's still a good idea for administrators to keep on top of what's happening as well. And if you're going to allow access to social networking to remember to use up to date URL databases for malware, along with a good anti-malware scanning package on the forward proxy in your network.

They do also point out one very important tip for companies and organizations, and that's to have an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), that explains what's allowed, not allowed, and what defines crossing a boundary in using the Internet at work.