PixAlert Risk Assessment Determines Degree of Exposure to Inappropriate and Illegal Images
8 August 2005: PixAlert has announced its new five-step Risk Assessment service that helps organisations to identify threats posed by illegal or inappropriate images stored on corporate PCs that can expose directors, managers and employees to criminal and civil claims.
According to a UK survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Personal Directors (CIPD) and PixAlert, over 70% of UK companies have already had to take disciplinary action as a result of employees viewing porn at work. And in the US, the American Management Association reports that more than 27% of Fortune 500 companies have battled sexual harassment claims stemming from employee’s corporate e-mail and Internet abuse.
“Inappropriate content is not just being downloaded from the Internet but can now get onto the corporate network via devices such as memory sticks, DVDs/CDs, mobile phones and digital cameras,” said John Nolan, PixAlert, CEO. “It is a growing problem that if not addressed, can potentially threaten a company’s reputation and liability. PixAlert’s five-day, five-step Risk Assessment service gives companies peace of mind by proactively dealing with the threat and mitigating future risk.”
PixAlert’s Risk Assessment service comprises the following five-step methodology:
” Review of corporate legal and HR computer usage policies to gauge vulnerabilities for employee abuse
” Assessment of the quantity and severity of illicit images on a company’s network to determine corporate exposure to threats of illegal and inappropriate images
” Alignment of porn prevention policies and procedures to meet company strategic goals while minimizing risk to the corporation and enforcing good workplace ethics
” Communication to all staff to ensure employees understand new acceptable usage policies and the procedures and repercussions if disregarded
” Enforcement of an enterprise wide process using porn monitoring and auditing software to provide ongoing image detection, reporting and case management
PixAlert’s Monitor and Auditor software provides a strong complement to the PixAlert Risk Assessment service. Using patent-pending technology, PixAlert Enterprise delivers powerful multi-source image detection and analysis capabilities that provide comprehensive protection against inappropriate and illegal images originating from multiple network and desktop entry points.
You can find out more about the legislation and the threat of illegal and inappropriate images in the workplace by joining the PixAlert Webex seminar at 2pm BST 15th August 2005. To register, simply go to: www.pixalert.com
About PixAlert (www.pixalert.com)
PixAlert provides software and services that protect organizations and their staff from the legal ramifications of viewing inappropriate and illegal images on workplace computers. Sold exclusively through industry partners, its flagship PixAlert Enterprise provides a powerful image detection and analysis solution that protects against inappropriate material being introduced to enterprise desktops from any source. Unlike gateway-based offerings, PixAlert Enterprise is PC/server-based to safeguard against Internet, email, CD/DVD, USB key, WiFi and cell phone-derived images. PixAlert Enterprise fosters a more responsible and productive workforce by dramatically reducing non-work related computer activity. It also enables organizations to enforce and measure their compliance with internal policies.
The company’s products are used by organizations concerned about costly and disruptive legal, compliance and ethical issues in industries such as healthcare, financial services, high-tech and government. Founded in 1999, and based in Dublin, Ireland, PixAlert has UK headquarters in London and US headquarters in Boston.