The increasing number of non-business web sites on the Internet
means increased temptation for staff with access to computers.
This can lead to lost time through game playing, chat-room visits
and personal messaging. It can also entail the downloading of
unauthorised software and images, activities that could involve
company directors in litigation if the material is illegal.
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| MAS software enables the
monitoring of internet useage to ensure security in all
types of organisations. Its easy to read interface can
be installed and developed quickly, without the use of
special knowledge. |
Now, all office computer activity can be easily monitored
with new software from British computer security firm 3ami.
Said to be the first “out-of-the-box” workstation
monitoring and audit system for the Enterprise, MAS (Monitoring
& Audit System) can be installed and deployed quickly,
without specialist help, even in organisations with thousands
of employees. It puts the company in control, acting initially
as a deterrent and then providing evidence of undesirable
activities by those more difficult to dissuade.
3ami noticed a gaping hole in the internal security of most
networks after many years dealing with corporate and government
departments and focusing on the threat from outside, in the
shape of viruses and hacking.
Managing director Tim Ellsmore says: “Companies today
have to change their focus on computer security. The need
for firewalls and anti-virus systems is now accepted as standard
to combat external attacks, but internal misuse has risen
to more than 70% of all security breaches. And, as legislation
makes directors more responsible for staff activities, they
need internal security for their own protection against prosecution
if unlicensed software or illegal material is found on company
computers. 3ami wanted a simple and reliable solution to employee
monitoring, with no complicated configuration, yet all the
features that our customers are likely to need.”
Workstation audit
MAS records “logon” and “logoff”
times and continuously monitors e-mail activity, including
web mail; web sites visited; window titles; keystrokes typed;
and use of connected external devices, such as memory sticks
and PDAs. Regularly scheduled screen captures and audit trails
provide evidence of any wrongdoing; and a workstation audit
enables companies to keep track of installed software (to
ensure it is correctly licensed) and hardware
The system’s Exceptions Analysis feature compares activity
during a set time period with the network average, to provide
an instant report of unusual activity. If an investigation
needs to go back some considerable time, the search facility
helps find the evidence. For additional security, where appropriate,
computer users need not know the software is installed, and
reports cannot be accessed.
Other issues the software can be used to monitor, in line
with human resources policy, are workplace bullying; sexual
harassment; false accusation; racism; fraud; organised crime,
and circulation of inappropriate content.
“An employer has a duty of care to his employees to
provide a safe and professional electronic environment for
them to work in. MAS does this,” says Tim Ellsmore.
The latest version of MAS is international and works in all
languages. An application in French for the Canadian market
will be available shortly. For larger users, MAS Enterprise
features additional tools.
A free and fully functional trail of MAS Enterprise can be
downloaded by visiting www.3ami.com
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