LAN2LAN advocates open approach to social media as CIOS embrace application visibility & control

May 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Woking, United Kingdom – 24th May, 2011 – Surrey-based specialist systems integrator LAN2LAN is encouraging CIOs to take a new, open-minded approach to the security challenges associated with the rise of social networking in today’s corporate environment.  More organisations than ever before are using social networking media such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter™ to increase customer engagement, change perception and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.  However, this can expose organisations to the threats of security across their corporate network.  LAN2LAN has responded to the rising demand from customers for a more sophisticated approach to protecting corporate networks by extending its capabilities, investing in key technology and expanding the size of its dedicated security team.

LAN2LAN recommends a blended approach to security that embraces the wealth of sophisticated technology available today with a set of sensible and flexible processes that clearly define how employees should access and use social media in the work environment backed up with genuine visibility and control down to the user level.  By implementing social media best practice, the IT department can be pivotal to facilitating effective communications with customers whilst maintaining compliance with industry standards such as Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) or the Information Security Management System standard ISO27001.  

Danny Williams, one of LAN2LAN’s Security Specialists, commented: “Social media networking sites represent a billion plus members, a huge community for companies to interact with.  People are using social media channels to praise or air their grievances about the products and services they receive especially in a business to consumer environment.  Banning social networking outright in the work environment effectively isolates companies from what the marketplace is saying about them and denies them a right to reply where they can protect and defend their brand.”

IT departments can now adopt a smarter approach to the growing presence of social media in the workplace.  There are several simple but effective measures LAN2LAN can help companies take to better control the new social media business environment, for example, permitting staff to update their profiles on professional networking sites whilst restricting the use of certain applications such as chat and gaming.  In addition, nominated personnel should be allowed to post information about the company to social media networking sites and respond to negative comments posted on the company’s products or services.  These activities would form the basis of a best-practice policy that supports existing corporate HR and risk management procedures which is then communicated widely across the organisation in the usual way.  

LAN2LAN security experts achieve this by working closely with selected partners in the security space such as Fortinet, Palo Alto, Tectia and HP Tippingpoint.  These trusted vendors have all undergone LAN2LAN’s strict technical evaluation and commercial due diligence process to design and implement solutions that match customers’ specific business requirements.

LAN2LAN has provided security solutions for many high-profile organisations including London City Airport, Exeter City Council, Mouchel, Experian QAS and Reed Managed Services.

Danny Williams concluded: “LAN2LAN has seen a major step change in the security landscape.  Organisations have so many more aspects for which they need to provide a robust, complete security defence system, from the perimeter to the mobile end-point, from wireless to outsourced cloud-based services.   Our depth of security, infrastructure, collaboration and mobility knowledge, combined with a proven track record in developing policies designed to protect company intellectual property, provide a unique and powerful offering in today’s brave new social media world.”

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Notes to editors

About LAN2LAN
LAN2LAN is a specialist systems integration, installation and management organisation focused on driving technologically innovative solutions that deliver intelligent networks for the needs of businesses today and in the future.  It offers a high level of experience, expertise and excellence in Infrastructure, Security, Collaboration and Mobility solutions.  Based in Woking, LAN2LAN has been delivering clever networks, with no limits, since the foundation of the company in 1994.  

LAN2LAN has been classified by Dun & Bradstreet to be amongst the top 6% of companies in the UK IT industry based on financial strength alone and, also awarded the rating 1 status for meeting its financial commitments with its partners. Its UK-wide customer base covers diverse sectors, including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, travel, consultancy, law, recruitment and publishing.

For more information, please visit: www.LAN2LAN.com

For press information, please contact:

Mary Phillips/Julie Aguilar
PR Artistry Ltd
Tel: 01491 639500
Email: mary@pra-ltd.co.uk or julie@pra-ltd.co.uk