CIOs Say Messaging Security is Major Concern According to Tally Systems/CIO Magazine Survey.

LEBANON, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1998--

"Hidden Security Risk" Best Foiled With Enforceable Messaging

Policy

System security and reliability topped a list of concerns that CIOs have about their electronic messaging systems, and those systems have become a key component of achieving their organization's corporate objectives, according to a Tally Systems Corp./CIO Magazine survey released today. In a poll of 344 CIOs conducted in April of this year, 71 percent of the respondents listed security of their organization's messaging systems as an issue that has been a concern over the last six months, while 61 percent also listed system reliability as a concern.

"These survey results reveal that CIOs are very worried about a little known secret of electronic messaging systems: They are a critical part of the business process, yet employees are breaching security by transmitting inappropriate messages over company e-mail and fax systems," said Joanne Egner, Veranda Product Manager at Tally Systems. "Although many of the fears being publicized are of hackers breaking through firewalls or web site operators invading personal privacy, the real security concern is the employee who is sending messages and faxing documents that divulge trade secrets, contain inappropriate content, or include offensive language. It's a problem many managers are reluctant to talk about."

Even if they aren't talking about it, a majority of the CIOs polled are doing something about messaging security. More than 60 percent of the respondents to the Tally Systems/CIO study said they were monitoring corporate e-mail, Internet, and fax usage. Over 43 percent cited security/auditing as their primary reason for doing so.

"Used in this context, security has little to do with technology. It's a matter of policy and management," said Egner. "Although software tools are essential for monitoring usage, making effective use of e-mail, the Internet, and fax systems depends on establishing and enforcing policies that spell out intended use of those resources."

With 66% of the survey respondents rating E-mail as "extremely important" to their organization's overall corporate objectives, and another 27% rating E-mail as "very important," taking away access, or attempting to block access is simply not an option.

"This is primarily a personnel management problem. CIOs seem to recognize the need to monitor what's going on, and know that they can't simply turn over their management responsibility to a web filter or firewall," said Egner. "There is no substitute for a well-crafted acceptable use policy and a means to monitor compliance with that policy."

For access to the results of the Tally Systems/CIO survey, visit the Tally Systems web site at: www.tallysystems.com/tally/press/survey.txt

For more information on the hidden security risk presented by electronic messaging systems, and help on crafting an acceptable use policy, download Tally Systems' latest white paper, "Why Your Company Needs A Messaging Policy: The Hidden Security Risk." available at: http://www.tallysys.com/tally/whitepapers/wp33us.html

About Tally Systems

Founded in 1990, Tally Systems Corp. is the world's leading supplier of full-featured messaging management and asset management products, providing packaged software solutions and service to improve management of end-user computing resources.

Messaging management products include Veranda Enterprise Messaging Reporter, messaging management for email, Internet and fax resources; MailCheck, the leading E-mail management solution worldwide; IP.Check, application and service monitoring for IP networks; and ModemCheck, remote access system monitoring and management. Tally Systems' messaging management product line is currently monitoring messaging systems supporting millions of users at over 3,000 customer sites. The desktop asset management products are currently licensed on over 5,000,000 PCs at more than 10,500 client sites worldwide. Visit Tally Systems Corp. on the World Wide Web at http://www.tallysystems.com.