OFFICE workers anxious to keep up with the latest online developments like social networks and file-sharing sites are pressuring their companies to give them unfetterred Web access - and many of those thwarted have no qualms finding ways to get around their company's security policies.

According to web security firm Websense's survey of 400 regional companies published last month, 86 per cent said they were under pressure from bosses and colleagues to allow increased access to Web 2.0 services, the industry label for interactive content like video-sharing site Youtube and social networking site Facebook.

Many cave in under such pressure, said Websense's president John McCormack, while those that don't face mutinous colleagues: 47 per cent of the companies have had staff who breach the company's security policy in a bid to access such services.

Staff hanker after such services because of the professional and personal benefits they offer.

Social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, for instance, allow the company to find and interact with potential customers; they are also a good way to identify job openings.

While such services have become increasingly indispensible as both marketing as well as a morale tool to keep wired younger workers happy, uncontrolled access can land companies in hot soup.

An employee could, with one mis-click, accidentally upload confidential customer information instead of his holiday photos.

And once online 'there's no recall button', potentially opening the firm to lawsuits from regulators, customers, business partners or investors, said Mr McCormack.

And then there are the legions of cyber-criminals who ride on such services to distribute viruses to steal confidential information, user identities or to gather information in aid of future attempts to hack the company.

Most companies, said Mr McCormack, tackle the issue via a combination of technology and education.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.