Cell Phones in the Workplace
I had an interesting conversation with someone last week on the subject of the use of cell phones in the workplace. I suspect everyone has dealt with the notion of employees who have wires hanging from their ears as they sit at their desks, just in case their kids call when they get home from school. Most of us, by this time, have modified our policies to either prohibit cell phone use during work time, or restrict it to emergencies only. The topic of my conversation last week surrounded the use of cameras on cell phones and business security. My Treo 600 can snap a picture and email within seconds. For those concerned about internal security, it is not at all unlikely for someone to be able to snap pictures of the secure areas in the workplace and send them off without anyone knowing.
Like I've said before, technology is always changing. Our policies in this area have to be written in such a way to accommodate the dynamic changes in technology. A good set of policies on security, confidentiality and nondisclosure should serve as the foundation for a company to protect itself.
Even more scary, however, which I've heard no one mention, is the USB drives that record hours of time in MP3 format. Some of my students use these to record classes, which I don't mind. In the workplace, the paranoid should become more so. They're small, fit in a pocket, are barely noticeable and can record hours of conversation and meetings without being noticed.
Hi Diane - We are totally on the same wavelength today. As a matter of fact I have a pending post on Workforce Insights crazy article about some companies banning camera mobile phones. I had to run out this morning and couldn't finish writing it but was going to ping you for your thoughts and poof here is your brilliant post today. Keep it going!!