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Block that swap

While most organizations consider using network-based outbound content monitoring tools to meet regulatory compliance needs, the systems can also help detect and block the dissemination of objectionable or illegal content. At real estate agency Prudential Americana Group in Las Vegas, the problem was illegal file swapping on agents' PCs.

"We were served papers by Columbia, 20th Century Fox and a few others for people stealing movies and using our service to do it," says IT Director Tom Araujo. However, Araujo can't lock down or otherwise manage end users' PCs because his company doesn't own the equipment. "The way we operate, it's 99 percent independent contractors," he says. So he uses PacketSure from Ames, Iowa-based Palisade Systems Inc. to monitor and block file swapping and other inappropriate traffic on the PCs of his 1,684 users. By tuning PacketSure, Araujo eliminated traffic associated with popular file-sharing programs such as Grokster and Kazaa. Prudential also blocks all credit card and Social Security numbers.

However, Araujo must be careful that overzealous use of compliance tools doesn't impinge on the business. "I haven't got any idea where the next lead or connection is going to come from for someone to get the next piece of business," he says. But stealing on company time is a clear no-no. "I can't control what agents do on their own time, but I do have an issue with them downloading funniest home videos or sharing information that's nonbusinesslike."