Instant messaging usage policies enable ubiquitous communication

Instant messaging (IM) systems are popular among users. Inside corporate environments, the real-time nature of IM communication has resulted in increased productivity. However, network administrators are concerned about the lack of security in ubiquitous IM systems and their potential to leak sensitive data to outsiders. In response, some corporate managers have banned the use of IM inside the organization. We advocate the adoption of IM usage policy that clarifies how security can be strengthened while maintaining realtime communication. It is hoped that the usage guidelines outlined in this paper will enable ubiquitous communication while maintaining security in IM environments.