Wrap Up

Implementing controls over intellectual property and protecting copyright are very challenging tasks. IT security tools have to evolve to focus more on the content of the data traversing the network, how it makes its way into the public sphere, and what happens when it’s out there. Tools have to move beyond just looking for files to helping businesses function more securely in the connected cyberspace. Blocking access is not the answer when it comes to managing IP, nor is it truly feasible.

Improvement Checklist

Have you inventoried all your social media assets and their management capabilities?

Have you identified social media tools and capabilities and how they can be managed?

Have you tried to understand how policies must map back to IT security capabilities to secure IP properly?

Have you implemented Data Loss Prevention technologies for the new social media mediums being used?

Have you educated employees, customers, and the general public about appropriate uses of company IP and copyrighted material?