How Tightly Controlled Is The Software Used In Your Company?
If someone was using illegal software in your company, would you know about it?
Its a disturbing question, but its one that everyone should know the answer to. Software is sometimes viewed in a more casual way to computer hardware; after all, everyone uses illegal copies dont they? Why should it present a problem in a business?
Unfortunately a minority of employees have this exact attitude when it comes to using software in their daily work life. Whatever they may do at home, its essential they know that using illegal software copies at work can cause major problems and large fines for their employer.
Thats why it pays to limit the activities an employee can perform while they are at their work station. Many companies are limiting employees access to the internet during work hours, not only because time can be wasted surfing sites that arent work related, but because software that is neither legal nor approved by the company can be downloaded from the internet. Besides the fact that this is not a practice befitting an employee it can also bring with it other problems such as worms and viruses, which can quickly spread throughout the entire company computer system.
All software used within the company should be made available to a select number of employees in certain positions only. A software library to keep back ups of all software programs used should provide a master plan for referring back to, and it should be made common knowledge that no other programs are approved or should be used other than these.
It remains a fact however that some employees will treat this issue more casually than others. Educating people on the downfalls associated with using software that is not approved by the company as a whole (or using copies) does help to spread the message that certain standards are in place and should be adhered to at all times. But making sure that measures are in place to control the use of software as tightly as possible should still be a priority if we are to make sure we are doing all we can not to fall foul of company policies or the law.
About the Author: Jane Smith shares practical business IT solutions for medium to large sized organisations. To activate your business with the power of IT, please visit Performance Monitoring Software.
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