Re: e-mail policies

[<mweatherford () cox net>]

Pablo,

Chris's comments are right on the mark.  If the policy is loosley defined or open to interpretation, guess what...it 
will be impossible to enforce.  No one wants to appear too autocratic but if you have a strict policy, it will keep 
those employees with a tendency to "fly to close to the flame" from doing something they'll regret.  It will also save 
you tons of time from those who want to nit-pick the details and from having to deal with disciplinary issues.  

I've had both strictly defined and loosely defined policies regarding email and, without a doubt, strict is better.  
You will inevitibly have a few who are unhappy with the policy but for consistency and long-term benefit of ALL the 
employees, you'll be better off.

- kram
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "chris" <chris () byteme no>
To: <security-basics () securityfocus com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 1:15 AM
Subject: RE: e-mail policies


> > Dear gurus
> >
> > We are defining policies for the use of corporate e-mail, I have doubts
> > about privacy of messages sent by employees. Since the e-mail system is
> > intended for business use, we need to prevent sensitive information
> > disclosure. If we respect the privacy , how can discover infidelity
> > employee?
> >  What is your opinion or the standard in this cases? What is the
> > companies approach?
> >
> > Thanks a lot.
> >
> > --
> > Pablo A. C. Gietz
> > Jefe de Seguridad Informática
> > Nuevo Banco de Entre Ríos S.A.
> > Te.: 0343 - 4201351
>
> Hi
>
> Although I'm not a guru, I'll give you my opinion (probably not the standard
> ;).
>
> Define strict policies.  Make it clear that the corporate e-mail is not for
> personal use.  Why?  Because studies on the use of corporate e-mail show
> that the productivity, in many cases, is decreased.  Sending personal e-mail
> to colleagues or people outside the corporation generates expectations on
> reply, and results in the habit of checking for new mail very often, and
> therefore interrupts work.
> There you go - no need for privacy anymore.  Now you can install e-mail
> filters, e.g. based on words that's not acceptable in corporate messages,
> and bust infidel employees.
>
>
> - chris