Could having overly efficient Internet security actually be harming your company’s productivity? Well Google’s former chief information officer Douglas Merrill intimated as much in a speech at the Black Hat USA 2009 conference.
He warned of business owners splashing out huge sums for Internet security without a real understanding of exactly what it was getting. The clampdown in online activity could well reducing the amount of productivity that staff are able to be involved with, thus causing a detrimentally restrictive culture.
Clearly Internet security is important; however, this speech perhaps reflects the growing fear that is gripping businesses worldwide about the safety of documents and data. Whilst vigilance is essential, don’t go waving black cheques at security firms and get the level of protection you require without prohibiting productivity.
What do you think?