July 19, 2007

Firms unaware of employee Internet legalities

by Jan Harris

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Computers & Internet

Chambers Ireland has released its eBusiness Survey 2007, which analyses the use of information and communications technologies among companies in Ireland.

According to the survey around two-thirds of companies are ill-informed about the legalities surrounding their employee’s online activities.

The survey found that only 37 per cent of companies know that they are responsible for their employee’s online activities and can be prosecuted if staff use company resources unlawfully.

The study also highlighted that employers often don’t realise that they are required to inform employees if they wish to monitor staff emails and files.

Over half of the companies surveyed did not have their own website and over 80% of companies were failing to take advantage of online tendering websites - this was attributed to high cost of sales on tenders and site usability issues.

On a more positive note, the survey identified an increase in broadband use, with 52 per cent of firms using DSL and 10 per cent using wireless broadband.

The use of mobile phones is also growing with over 58 per cent of businesses providing mobile phone services to their employees. Only 28 percent provided advanced handsets though, with features such as 3G.

The survey found that although 67 per cent of businesses are not interested in a converged communications service, awareness of technologies such as VoIP is on the increase.

The survey can be downloaded from Chambers Ireland website - www.chambers.ie

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