Instant Messaging in the office

A few months ago I wrote an article “Instant Messaging when you can’t install software” that has come in handy for me several times since.

About two years ago, our company invested in having a business version of AOL Instant Messenger available to the staff. (Very forward thinking.) The IT department installed AIM on PC for anyone that requested it.

Probably 40% of our staff use IM regularly to communicate internally and with vendors, clients and other agencies we work with. Certainly some people chat with family or friends, but I don’t believe that’s abused. Certainly better than having that employee chatting on the phone.

We were suprised to get a notice last week that the corporate policy on IM was being changed. Employees are no longer allowed to chat with non-employees. Reasons cited:

• Many other companies do it
• IM presents increased security risks
• Client contracts and/or security assessments prohibiting use of IM due to security threats and privacy policies
• Increased costs of supporting this technology

What’s particularly suprising is that Instant Messaging took years to gain respect as a new, useful tool for collaboration and communication. Now it’s becoming too risky for companies to manage.

-Roland