Instant messaging security. What are key factors?

Business IT message board users generally trust that the key factors around IM security is policy, enforcement and training. Apparently, individual business structures should solve how far they want to go with each of these, depending on the nature of the risk and its potential impact on the business processes, write Kate Danbury, head of information security, and Ollie Ross, head of research, at The Corporate IT Forum.

Everywhere, there is rising pressure from within corporates for IT to provide communication and collaboration technologies that users are familiar with and use extensively in home and social environments: most notably instant messaging. Instant Messaging supports productivity; it's fast, it's easy to use and it's the tool of choice for the new generation of office workers.

But from security sign, its risks are comparable with e-mail. It might also impact workforce productivity - at least until the novelty of 'chat' wears off - it can shortcut processes and undermine reporting and approval mechanisms, it's causal quality can be inappropriate for business conversations, and it can have an adverse impact on your network traffic. So deploying or switching on IM requires very careful consideration.

Firstly, decide where you would use instant messaging. Don't assume it's an all-or-nothing choice. Many of our members use IM internally across the enterprise without opening up the capability externally. Others use it as an effective tool between trusted partners (e.g. in an outsourced or support relationship). External IM is rarely used by businesses in the broader, public arena, thus minimising the risks associated with opening up the network.

Then decide what tool might best suit your requirements. Typically Forum members use proprietary solutions in-house rather than relying on consumer social networking tools.

Next, determine how IM may be used. Ensure your acceptable use policy offers clear guidelines around appropriate and inappropriate use, and that these really are understood and accepted by your users.

And finally, put a process in place that enables you to understand how instant messaging is being used, by whom and for what purpose. It's is widely recommended that usage is recorded and monitored. It is therefore auditable. Make sure your employees know this and understand the implications.

As drivers and business cases for collaboration increase so, too, does the risk that IT security becomes a business disabler. IM might offer true opportunities for your organisation. Or it could lead to real problems. It's a fine balance between having a 'safe and secure' network and helping the business to be as agile and reactive as it wants to be. And it's also very much about trust.

Microsoft® Office Communicator service extended the Secure Instant Messaging (IM)

Improve office co-workers abilities to find and communicate with each other.

Herndon, VA (PRWEB) August 11, 2009 -- Apptix (OSE: APP), the leading supplier of hosted Microsoft Exchange email, Microsoft SharePoint communication services, and VoIP phone services for small and medium businesses (SMBs), today presented it has extended the Secure Instant Messaging (IM) and Presence capabilities of its hosted Microsoft® Office Communicator service to mobile devices.

The service, Office Communicator Mobile, is a unified communications client that extends the reach of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) secure IM subscriptions to mobile devices. Integrated with Microsoft Exchange, mobile users can directly access contacts within their Global Address List, and use the application's real-time presence information to learn another person's availability and status. Users can even choose to be alerted when contacts become available.
Directly from their mobile device, users can chat, one-on-one or with a group, in secure IM sessions with other Microsoft Communicator users - using a computer or mobile device. The mobile service features the rich IM capability with the familiar look and feel of the desktop version of Microsoft Communicator.

"By extending secure IM to mobile devices, Apptix enables employees to communicate and collaborate more productively," said Rick Rumbarger, Vice President of Product for Apptix. "Our service provides businesses the freedom to communicate using Instant Messaging from desktop to mobile within a secure environment."

Office Communicator Mobile is available for free to subscribers of Apptix's secure Instant Messaging and Web conferencing services, and is applicable for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Java enabled mobile devices. For more information, please visit www.apptix.com.

Air Messenger LAN Server

The Air Messenger LAN Server is the most powerful network wireless instant messaging software available that has been developed especially for the LAN environment. With Air Messenger LAN Server running on a one workstation allows your entire office to send alphanumeric pages to anyone without the need of a modem line at each work station. All pages are sent over your existing network to the Air Messenger LAN Server for processing. Additional support has been implemented for SNPP that allows other messaging software that conforms to the SNPP protocol to send messages through the Air Messenger LAN Server as well (SNPP Forwarding Proxy Server). The Air Messenger LAN Server also supports ETAP which allows for message delivery confirmation when used with SMS systems like Nextel or other Digital Cellular Carriers. New in 5.0, the Kenwood FleetSync protocol was add. This allows you to send text message to your Kenwood FleetSync enabled 2-Way radios. Air Messenger LAN Server is a must-have for organizations that depend on alphanumeric messaging devices. In version 6.7 MX record lookup has been added for quicker delivery of e-mail pages as well as SSL (secure Socket Layer) support so that WCTP pages can be sent securely. Also in 6.7 a new mobile client has been added to allow mobile users to use the client independent of the server or connect through the server when in the office. The mobile client will also provide redundancy by downloading the data locally and using this data in stand alone mode should their be a LAN connection failure.


Key Features Of
Air Messenger LAN Server

Designed to integrate seamlessly into an existing network environment, Air Messenger LAN Server manages who sent what message to whom, and when. Taking full advantage of a networked environment. For current Release Notes click here.

* SNPP Forwarding Proxy Server
* SNPP Server Option
* ETAP Support for message delivery confirmation
* SMS Messaging Via GSM SMS Compatible Mobile Phone
* Send Pages Via SNPP, WCTP, TAP, Direct Connection TAP, or E-Mail
* SSL Support for WCTP.
* AM Mobile Client (Application for both standalone and client operations)
* Supports Kenwood's FleetSync Protocol.
* Delivery Fail Redundancy
* Internet Ready
* RAS Dial-Up for Internet (Win9x)
* Uses Windows Modem Drivers For Simple Setup
* Security Restriction When User Log-On Option Is Used
* Multiple Department User/Group Lists
* Manage Shared User/Group Lists
* Easily Runs On Any Work Station or Server
* Adjustable Scheduling
* Error Notification And Deliver Notification To Clients
* E-Mail Paging (MX,SMTP, POP3, Windows Messaging)
* Windows Messaging Support For E-Mail Paging
* Built In Web Server For Web Paging
* Built In SMTP Server For E-Mail Paging
* HDML Support for Cellular Web Browser Paging
* Detail Transaction Logging
* Multiple and Printable Reports
* And Many More Features
* Y2K Compliant