It is now possible for business Internet users to prevent staff members from using the system for inappropriate purposes by installing a digital firewall.
Internet Gateway – CyberPatrol identifies user-defined keywords within all downloaded data and, when necessary, issues warning messages and blocks all access to the Internet site in question.
The following is a typical example of a CyberPatrol warning message: “The Internet Gateway Service has blocked access to this site. This site is reported to contain the following type(s) of material: sexual acts; inappropriate language.
“You are reminded that Internet access is permitted for business purposes only and that all usage is monitored and logged to protect the company’s interests.”
However, this sort of digital policing can sometimes result in unintended and rather inconvenient consequences, as the following e-mail I recently received illustrates:
“John, could you log onto Property Finder on Sheffweb and go to Crapper & Haigh, estate agents, and e-mail them with a request to put me on their ‘houses for rent’ list?
“I’d love to do it myself, but the firewall distinctly disapproves!”
My source informs me that he has also heard of a council whose members no longer have access to the Essex and Sussex council websites.
