Don't block social networking sites - log on to them, says Socitm Insight

Local authority ICT managers should encourage councils to embrace social media rather than block it as 90% do.

Heads of ICT should be taking the lead in encouraging councils to embrace social media and not be party to moves to block staff from using these important new tools for business, says Socitm Insight.

About 67% have a total ban on use, enforced either through policy or by a software block, finds the Socitm research.

Others allow use of out of office hours or over the lunch period - suggesting that they see these tools as purely social and not having any business benefit. In contrast, according to Computer Weekly, some 80% of private sector organisations do not block access.

"Use of social media has exploded, appearing on the radar of ICT managers, but mostly for the wrong reasons," says report author, Chris Head.

"The term 'social' implies not related to work, but this is a fallacy. CIOs and heads of ICT need to take the lead and educate colleagues on the organisation's management team about the benefits of social media, as well as finding ways to accommodate them appropriately and safely through the corporate infrastructure."

The survey shows that security is at the top of the list of reasons that the ICT managers surveyed cite for restricting access, with possible exposure to viruses, malware and spyware chief causes for concern. Other main worries are around time wasting by council staff, risk of reputational damage, systems and data compromise and increases in bandwidth requirements.

The report tackles each of these issues in turn, demonstrating that it is impossible to stop people using it: if they can't access it through systems provided at work, they will simply use their own devices. Security risks associated with enabling people to access social media through the organisation's systems, and the need to increase bandwidth to accommodate its use, can be managed and need to be built into the ICT strategy.

On the plus side, the report argues that social media may help address looming budget issues faced by public service organisations, by providing economical ways of engaging citizens, delivering services, and by empowering and supporting employees.

'Social media: why ICT management should lead their organisations to embrace it', is available from www.socitm.gov.uk.