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Has Corporate Info Security Gotten Out of Hand?

Posted by Cliff on from the proper-security-is-like-walking-on-monowire dept.

KoshClassic asks: "What is the right balance between security and productivity, in the corporate IT environment? Looking back at my company, 10 years ago, our machines were connected directly to the Internet, no proxy, no firewall, no antivirus software. Today, my company's proxy server blocks access to: 'bad' web sites (such as Google Groups; our 'antivirus' software prevents our machines (even machines that host production applications) from carrying out legitimate functions, such as the sending of email via SMTP; and individual employees are forced to apply security patches with little or no notice, under threat of their machines loosing network access, if they do not comply by the deadline. On one hand, you can never be too secure, however on the other hand, have we become so secure that we're stifling our own ability to get things done? What is the situation like at other companies?"

2 of 466 comments (clear)

  1. Whose machine by crack_vial · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    "under threat of their machines loosing network access" would be losing network access?

  2. Not really much of a problem... by $ASANY · · Score: 0, Offtopic
    ...under threat of their machines loosing network access...

    Since you can get a replacement RJ45 modular plug for about $0.05, you can easily repair loose connections so you don't lose network access. It's not really that big of a problem.