Via ReadWriteWebEnterprise, Cisco’s Mid-Year Security Report notes that:

50% of end users admitted to accessing social media tools at work, in spite of company rules, at least once a week. Another 27% have changed the settings on a company device to access prohibited sites or applications. The report notes the security risks, and potential for lost productivity, Facebook and other social media sites present, but doesn’t recommend enterprises block social media sites entirely.

Citing both worker morale and the potential to use the tools for work-related activities, Cisco recommends better security education and social media policies in the work place instead of technical restrictions that employees would likely route-around anyway.

The article also notes Palo Alto Networks’ social media policy capabilities. We believe that Palo Alto Networks, our partner, by far has the most complete social media policy options available.