When it comes to computer security issues, e-mail is old news. In a poll released this week of more than 100 organizations, 73 percent claimed to have some form of e-mail security solution in place, according to Akonix Systems Inc.

The new threat on the corporate block is instant messaging (IM). According to the same survey, only 11 percent of organizations reported having any form of IM security in place. With IM-based attacks rising at an exponential rate (Akonix Systems Inc. reported a 226 percent increase in attacks from October 2005 to November 2005), companies need to consider implementing IM-specific security applications.

Ignoring the problem isn't the answer. The threat to companies' information security will only rise as the popularity of IM as an office tool increases. According to IDC Research, 12 billion instant messages are being sent daily while comScore Media Metrix reported that more than 300 million people worldwide use IM.

When it comes to computer security issues, e-mail is old news. In a poll released this week of more than 100 organizations, 73 percent claimed to have some form of e-mail security solution in place, according to Akonix Systems Inc.

The new threat on the corporate block is instant messaging (IM). According to the same survey, only 11 percent of organizations reported having any form of IM security in place. With IM-based attacks rising at an exponential rate (Akonix Systems Inc. reported a 226 percent increase in attacks from October 2005 to November 2005), companies need to consider implementing IM-specific security applications.

Ignoring the problem isn't the answer. The threat to companies' information security will only rise as the popularity of IM as an office tool increases. According to IDC Research, 12 billion instant messages are being sent daily while comScore Media Metrix reported that more than 300 million people worldwide use IM.