Facebook: as secure as you make it?

[Telemark]

@Jurph

But the fact remains that their servers are under their control and not yours, and any Facebook user with a lawyer (a shareholder, perhaps?) could wreak havoc by insisting that your Facebook presence is “public” and therefore fair game for Behavior X (which you really wish they wouldn’t do).

Cite for that? I really don’t that that’s a plausible scenario. There are plenty of other reasons not to use Facebook for this, but I don’t think that one holds up.

[Santo_Rugger]

As a follow up to this thread, it just so happens I had a final that was due the very next day that asked:

ABC is a mid-size company engaged in the design and manufacture of avionics
products using cutting-edge technology. ABC has discovered that a very large number
of its employees are in the habit of using social networking websites (e.g., Facebook).
The company is not sure if it is beneficial to exploit this new trend at this time. It
has hired you to investigate whether or not ABC should build and use its own social
networking website.

My response (thanks in part to this thread, although I didn’t know it was a test question when I was participating in this thread) earned me a 9/10.

Facebook is a social networking site that many of the employees of ABC currently use. It is a social networking site that has the potential to benefit ABC, but there are also drawbacks in doing so.

Advantages:
• Since many employees already use this system, they are already familiar with its interface and will not need to learn a new format.
• Limited IT support needed
• A group can be formed so that all employees are connected.
o Real time instant messaging
o Multiple recipients in a thread
o Increases communication
• Contact information can be easily looked up
• Meetings can be announced office –wide
• FAQs can be posted for frequent questions
Disadvantages:
• Security will be an issue
o Responsibility lies with the user
o Servers not under ABC’s control
o There has been no rigorous testing of facebook for this purpose.
o Not designed with security in mind
• There are better tools available for no cost
• More IT support will be needed with a new system.

If ABC has any proprietary or exclusive information they would not want leaked, facebook would not be the best way to interact. There are many other tools that can be used to accomplish the same goal, while remaining more secure. They are also more suitable for the needs of a mid sized business, and can be found free of charge online.

Thanks to emily for starting this thread at just the right time, and to everybody else who participated and unknowingly helped me with my assignment.