Introduce an internet and email policy

Introduction

The internet is an essential tool for many businesses. Email and the web offer a variety of ways to improve communications with staff, customers and suppliers.

However, allowing your employees unrestricted access to the internet carries risks. If they accidentally or deliberately access illegal web content, eg anything related to indecent material, your business could be open to prosecution. There is a security risk - your employees could download and install software infected by a virus. In addition, any abuse of your email facilities could cause internal and external problems. For example, sending bulk email could result in system overload and network congestion.

This guide will explain how to introduce a policy that clearly states what is acceptable internet and email usage, and what is not. If your policy is clearly stated and then breached, you will have a better chance of defending any action that may be taken against your business.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Why you need internet and email policies
• Create an internet usage policy
• Create an email usage policy
• Developing personal internet and email usage policies
• Monitoring internet and email usage
• Dealing with internet and email policy breaches
• Here's how I introduced an email and internet policy

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