Security Advisor teaches you how to use social networks safely (1)

The commercial advantages of websites like LinkedIn and Facebook are beginning to overwhelm security and privacy risks--but only if you follow a few principles, two security professionals say. Schmidt, who served as President Bush's network security advisor, succeeded in transforming from a chief information security officer to a consultant; At first he refused to catch up with the social network, which he said was the paranoid root of his long career in the security industry. But he eventually felt that the positive side of the social network had overwhelmed the negatives. Instead of joining a single social network, he joined three: Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. "There are some people in the security industry who are grumbling about the existence of Facebook and MySpace, and my response is to ask if they have ever used them," Schmidt said. "Bill Bonny (Bill Boni) has also joined the social network-and is very cheerful. He has long been a vice president of the company in charge of information security and protection. Now he has more than 500 friends on LinkedIn. For him, the effect of social networking is to significantly improve the effectiveness of security executives. He says the LinkedIn site allows him to keep in touch with others and give him the opportunity to use "other people's expertise". Despite the media's extensive coverage of security and privacy risks, both Bonnie and Schmidt say it is possible to secure the benefits of social networking while securing them. You just have to stay alert and sober. Here is the advice they give. The first recruit to do the homework Bonnie was hesitant to join LinkedIn until there was plenty of time and opportunity to investigate the site. Although many of her colleagues in Bonnie's Trust had invited him to join, he wanted to be judged by himself first. Before you join a social network, you should ask someone you know and trust to talk about your social networking feelings. Different people will have different degrees of comfort, which may determine which site or sites you decide to join. For example, LinkedIn is basically a field for entering similar resumes, and Facebook asks about your politics, religion, and books and movies you love to read (not necessarily answered). After investigating each site, ask yourself which Web site you will get the most benefit from, what type of functionality you need, and what kind of information you want to share. Careful research may also help dispel your unease and misunderstanding about social networking, Mr. Schmidt stressed. 1 2 Next >> view full text Navigation Original: Security Advisor teaches you how to use social network safely (1) Return to Network security home page