While Instant Messaging has substantial advantages, including ease of use and real-time communication, but also leaves a significant safety risk. Unfortunately, right security clearances are generally the last thing when it comes to the development and introduction of new technologies. This is the same issue to be incorporated in with Instant Messaging applications.
Providers of public Instant Messaging software was originally developed instant messaging to enlarge their services to consumers. Consumers liked the convenience it offers and the fact that the technology was free to be adopted quickly. Business people like to use the advantages of instant messaging, they have started to download and use the software (usually) without a consent from their IT or HR department. Instant Messaging is now posing a major threat to business users. The IT departments often do not control the desktop of every employee. In the most cases, the number of workers who have underestimated Instant Messaging and the ease with which they can develop their staff. Because the uncontrolled use of direct customers, consumers have increased the potential for adverse effects increases.
Instant Messaging can spread viruses; spam, lack of audit in corporate disclosure of necessary financial services, and the uncontrolled proliferation of proprietary information are just some of the risks associated with the uncontrolled use of Instant Messaging.
Content Concern over Instant Messaging
Public Instant Messaging products generally comprise no provisions for message logging, confidentiality and security. An instant messaging protocol is usually very difficult to control with available security products and software. This is because they are designed so that communication between users on the public Internet can run under any possible network configuration. Efforts by administrators or security personnel to stop Instant Messaging traffic by closing firewall ports will not work. This is because most of these Instant Messaging applications are using “agile port”, ports that are frequently changes to other ports that are remain freely accessible to users on the Internet access.
Regulatory Issues in Instant Messaging
Instant Messaging is also must follow government regulations and requirements of the content industry, privacy, and customer loyalty. Instant Messaging is scrutinized same like email. You must agree that the content of Instant Messaging can be logged to be a company or a regulatory requirement developed in several industries. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), NASD and NYSE broker in the United States and archiving of all digital communications with customers for up to six years. The SEC also requires that all communications with foreign customers are recorded in investment banking and analyzed for possible violations of any securities breaches. This is also to prevent the similar legal issues for the pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries. Logging is a basic necessity for the operation of call centres and operational need for the government and defence systems.
They had the ability to properly monitor and log IM sessions can satisfy even the financial institutions to comply with legal requirements. As a form of e-mail, IM creates a written undertaking that can be asked and used as evidence in any judicial or public office for criminal investigation.
Once a company can reasonably expect conflict or litigation, it is their duty to take the documents and, at this point, we must suspend regular operations, as well as the creation of the litigation hold security for the preservation relevant documents.
Where a company can identify where particular employee documents are stored on tapes based backup, then the Company will take films documenting the main players listed in the existing or future litigation, unless the information elsewhere.
