Internet work surfers tracked by software

SOME employers who have begun to track exactly what their staff are doing online from their work PCs have been stunned by what they have found and just what their trusted workforce has been getting up to on company time.

NetFort Technologies, an Irish software development company, has developed the technology which allows companies monitor and track exactly what their employees are doing online.

The NetFort guardian systems are graphical-based internet monitoring systems which filter, monitor, log and control all employee internet activity.

And they trace it right back to the person logged on to the system. Three different systems can be adapted specifically for large enterprises, small and medium sized companies, or schools.

The systems, developed and promoted by chief executive John Brosnan and his staff, report on each employee’s internet usage.

“Organisations and companies who have installed our systems have been surprised by what was revealed,” said sales and marketing director Brendan Burke.

“Feedback from clients indicates they are worried about how legally exposed they are when it comes to the whole area of internet use or misuse,” he says.

Employers realise that they are legally liable for the activities of all employees while on their premises.

The onus lies with the employer to protect their staff, their customers and ultimately their own business reputation.

“If a person tries to get on to a pornographic site, for example, the person will be denied access to that site, but their attempted access will simultaneously be recorded,” he says..

In at least one case evidence provided from the NetFort system has resulted in a company taking legal action against an employee.

NetFort can be contacted at [e-mail].