A major weakness in the way businesses conduct their affairs online is that employers often fail to train their workers adequately in the use of computers and how to safely access the internet. Professor Jim Norton, e-commerce and e-government adviser to the Institute of Directors, which represents 54,000 firms, says white-collar employees need to be educated in how to access computers and the internet. Such training can be bought in from private providers, colleges or universities and firms can seek advice from local chambers of commerce, Business Link and Get Safe Online. Training is best provided in short frequent bursts. It is important, Professor Norton says, that employees understand why access and security are so crucial. Hearts and minds must be won, otherwise employees might regard security as a challenge to be circumvented.
The Times