Don't fear the Twitter man

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When it comes to social networking, there are still plenty of businesses that seem to think that allowing their staff access to Twitter or Facebook is akin to allowing the Barbarians free entry through the gates of Rome.

Allow social networking, the thinking goes, and viruses and malware will spread across the business in moments. Even if it does not, staff will fritter away hours on Twitter and flail around on Facebook, instead of doing productive work.

Such views are reinforced by an information security industry that often behaves as if the only safe computer is one that isn't connected to the internet - and preferably isn't switched on either.

So it is refreshing to hear the views of one IT security executive, who takes the opposite view. According to Richard Turner, chief executive of Clearswift, companies that take a "progressive" approach to social networking are, in fact, far more likely to do well, than those who sign up to fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD).

"We are seeing a dramatic change in the way people do business," he says. "If you embrace new technologies, the chances [of your business] being successful improve. The laggards, who don't use the technology, and live in the FUD, find that their chances of success are reduced."

Turner is backing up his views with some extensive research into the way businesses view, and use, social networking and Web 2.0 tools.

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