Australian businesses exercise caution with social networks

David Heath
Wednesday, 08 July 2009 11:34

Business IT - Security

The threat isn't generally that people within the organisation go 'off message,' far from it.  Ask any member of the public how important it is that a business stays 'on message' and they'll tell you 'not at all.' In fact they'll suggest doing so is a huge turn-off.

Dear Business: your customers like to see that you actually have some personality.  After-all, you permit it in phone conversations, why not in other media?  By allowing your employees to engage with customers in the language and communication channels of their choice demonstrates that you are keen to do business THEIR way.

That means a lot.

However, the ill-considered use of Social Networking can cause a certain amount of grief.  Just ask the wife of Sir John Sawers, the next head of Britain's MI6.

Despite Foreign Secretary David Miliband's dismissive tones, this is a big thing.  By exposing elements of the family's private life, Lady Sawer has potentially opened the way for blackmail and criticism of both her immediate family and also others featured in the photographs and narrative.

Now, you and I are not likely to become head of a spy organisation, but it shouldn't be surprising that whatever information is posted could be used as elements of identity theft.

Mark Pullen, Country Manager of RSA, explains, "Anyone who posts information online, using social media tools is vulnerable to breaches of privacy.  Cybercrime is rife and cyber criminals trawl these sites for details that can be used for identity theft.

"Take care when posting personal information on social networking sites", says Pullen.  "This information isn't easily removed.  Giving away information such as birth dates, maiden names, addresses, telephone numbers, pets names, and other minor details can come back to haunt you when you least expect it," he says.
 
"Many of these details are the source of the 'secret questions' often asked by financial and government institutions to determine one's identity."
 
Pullen also advises people using social networking sites to be aware of the threats surrounding privacy settings.  "Just because your online profile is set to 'private' doesn't mean your details are absolutely secure.  There is still a risk that they can be accessed, and that risk will survive as long as criminals can make money from your information."

So, where does this leave the average 'punter?'