Uncertainty over the legalities of monitoring staff e-mail and internet use was a concern raised at a cybercrime conference in London.
Uncertainty over the legalities of monitoring staff e-mail and internet use was one of the concerns raised at a cybercrime conference in London by consultants Risk Advisory Group (RAG). Bob Fletcher, Director of Cyber Risk Management at RAG, told Professional Security that those attending – such as risk managers and financial directors responsible for cybercrime issues – had a great deal of concern about monitoring staff e-mail and internet use. Mr Fletcher said: ?It is a very grey area. There are mixed messages coming out of government departments and government agencies, such as the Information Commissioner. Many companies are doing what they think is right and keeping their fingers crossed. Many organisations are doing it [e-monitoring] without any policies or terms and conditions back-up, without their staff?s knowledge, and hoping for the best. There may well be a case eventually in which an employer will find himself in trouble under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act or in a civil court with an employee who discovers his privacy has been invaded.? Other concerns raised by those at the October 22 seminar were cyber-terrorism (since September 11) and an increase in computer viruses and hacking attempts.
