Re: [tlug] outsourcing email service

[<burlingk@example.com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: tlug-bounces@example.com [mailto:tlug-bounces@example.com?? On 
> Behalf Of Micheal Cooper
> Sent: Sunday, September 17, 2006 3:23 PM
> To: Tokyo Linux Users Group
> Subject: Re: [tlug] outsourcing email service
> is so ubiquitous that institutional email is intranet-only, making a 
> clear separation between work and private lives, and ensuring that 
> intra-company info never leaves the company network.

The idea has merit.  It would help a lot with the security issues.  I am
not 100% sure though if I actually LIKE the idea.  Philosophical
ideology aside, a lot depends on the nature of the information that you
send over your network.  If the data you deal with requires the level of
security of a metaphorical padlock, then sure that option would
eliminate most security threats.

However, if you deal with non-disclosure agreements, or information that
people might be willing to pay cold hard cash for, then allowing access
to outside email is a bad idea.

Anything sent through the company's mail system can be monitored.  It
can be filtered.  It can be set up to flag potential security breaches.
Some guy telling their kid about a neat new toy design that is about to
hit the streets next week is no big deal.  However, taking the same
case, telling an employee from a competing company about a neat new toy
that is on the drawing board, is very bad juju.

Either one could be picked up by mechanical or human monitoring.  Most
people who are paid to do such monitoring will know what is and is not
allowed.  If it's not on their list to watch for, they will move on.
i.e.  This may not provide any true privacy, but the people who are
reading your email aren't going to spread your laundry.

You have a job, and they have a job, and in most cases the agreement you
signed to get the email address to begin with probably said you would be
monitored, even if it was a bluff.  If you want to sell your company's
secrets, that's not a nice thing to do anyway.  If you want to talk
dirty to your significant other, then maybe you should wait till you
have access to your private email account. :P