Secure IM Client?
Is there such a thing as a secure IM client for businesses? The short answer is, “Yes!” The long answer is, “It depends.” Since a standard feature of your IM client is likely a file share tool, you automatically have serious problems. Anybody can send anyone any file on their computer. What’s the solution? Do you just cut the file sharing feature out?
The secret: enterprise instant messaging
Do you really want your employees or staff to be able to send any file on your servers to their friends? If they have a generic IM client running, any file on your server has direct access to the rest of the world. The best way to secure your files is to control which IM client your employees and staff are using.
That’s why you need enterprise instant messaging. What do all these fancy words really mean? If your staff all only have a unique IM client – one that their buddies don’t have – then they can only share files with their fellow employees. As long as you keep the generic IM client off your computers, your files and information are MUCH more secure. You also get the added benefit of all the productivity of instant messaging without all the external friends and family.
You do have more complicated, aggressive, and expensive options for security, but this little secret makes it simple. When you control which IM client your staff uses you automatically cut out all the external users who might be given access to your valuable data.
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Really interesting post with some excellent points.