I have a confession to make: I was once fired for inappropriate email and Internet use. I was a good employee, a valued member of the organization, who used email to vent. Okay, it didn't help that I called the boss a jackass (among other unsavory things), but that I used the Internet and email to do so was grounds for firing. So out I went. When I tell people what led to my hasty departure, many shake their heads and blame the company for being "hard asses." I myself questioned why, of all things, this offense didn't warrant at least a warning. And to be honest, I do think I was targeted for dismissal a few months prior. However, would companies who are protecting their data assets be labeled in the same way as my former employer for simply protecting their data?

As an IT professional, what amount of Internet use for personal reasons should your company allow? If you're smart - and yes, I'm actually saying this despite my own track record - you'll not allow any. That's because your entire data center is vulnerable to even the most casual of surfing activity. St. Bernard Software has developed a business guide that will help you in implementing an effective e-policy procedure - and one that hopefully will keep any potential lawsuits at bay. Visit the Ziff Davis web site and view the guide.