The introduction of the Internet into todays business world has been both exciting and terrifying at the same time. What was once a matter of internal security controls and training has now become a complex process with numerous unknown variables and problems. The ever-changing world of the Internet has given rise to a whole new breed of system security experts and the need for ongoing modifications and upgrades to security systems. In short, the Internet is a raging beast that will devour the unwary and unprepared.The Internet has broadened and diversified businesses to allow for interaction and communication on a scale that was never possible before. This tremendous power also comes with a great deal of risk. The single greatest threat the Internet poses is its lack of control and regulation. From its early development as a department of defense communication system, the Internet has grown in to an uncontrolled entity with an ever-changing face and structure. Other than minor regulatory controls, the Internet is run and developed off of the whims and desires of its users. This lack of standardized controls can prove to be a nightmare for businesses that are not prepared to handle the task.The single greatest thing a business can do to protect themselves from the risks associated with Internet connectivity is to prepare. A lack of specific policies and procedures, coupled with a variety of security measures will leave a business open to the possibility of devastating consequences. The Internet has proven itself a great tool and asset to small and enterprise businesses alike. A business can begin to reduce its risks by training employees on the dos and donts of Internet use. A standard set of enforced email policies is one of the simplest things a company can do to protect itself. Many companies find themselves on the wrong end of one computer virus after another. Establishing policies to control email is a simple way to...
