report says 1/3 UK companies prohibit employees from using social networking sites

Sina Science and technology news Beijing time of September 6, the British internet security company Clearswift Tuesday reported that because of concerns about security, nearly one-third of British companies prohibit employees to use social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and the global proportion is as high as one-fifth. Clearswift COO Andrew Wyatt, Andrew Wyatt, said that because famous companies such as Sony have been hacked this year, many companies have restricted employees from using the Internet. The company's research shows that British companies that block social media have grown by one-fifth over the past year.　　53% of business executives believe that the use of social media is a worrying issue. "Over the past 12 months, we've seen significant changes in corporate attitudes towards social media," he said. Companies have reacted to a series of well-known data-disclosure events and are increasingly nervous about using social networks in their work environments.　　"said Wyatt. He added: "Social networking sites usually have little to do with data leaks, but they still worry about the impact of this behavior on the company's brand." "Banks have long barred employees from accessing social networks while working, but many other industries are now joining the industry," he said.　　For example, the parity site Moneysupermarket.com has long been more tolerant of social networking sites, but it has also begun to limit the use of social media by employees.　　Royal Dutch Shell employees are not barred from visiting Facebook, but if they work with the site, a window will pop up on the screen to remind them not to use a private site during working hours. Security issues are the main reason companies block social media. Bayer Pharmaceuticals was criticised by the UK's medical watchdog last month for using Twitter to promote two of prescription drugs.　　Earlier this year, the British pharmaceutical industry issued guidance on the use of Twitter to promote such drugs. Similar concerns are emerging in other countries. The company last month barred employees from using social media for fear that commercial espionage would steal corporate information.　　Globally, about one-fifth of businesses prohibit employees from using social media. Wyatt says 91% of companies have been slow to use new technology because of concerns about data leaks.　　He warned that the move could hamper innovation and alienate users who use social networks as their primary means of communication. About 18% of employees said they would be frustrated if companies tightened restrictions on the use of social networks.　　Another 19% said they would try to circumvent the rules and 4% would consider leaving. Ironically, while these companies restrict employees ' use of social media, they want to strengthen communication through such sites. About 31% of British companies say they intend to invest more in the sector in the coming years. Royal Dutch Shell's Twitter account, for example, has 36,000 fans, and the company's PR team alsoProtects multiple Facebook pages. (Ding macro) to share: