In a recent post I opened the subject of business threats from social media. In that post I referenced an ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) white paper which outlines general threats from social networks. Many of the threats ENISA dealt with were of a technical, infrastructure nature. But many were not, and it’s those in which I’m most interested. I’m interested in pointing out the informational, content threats that exist for business in the free-wheeling, wild west-like, open forum that is social media. It’s this type of threat that my series of posts is about.
Today’s post references ENISA designated Threat SN.5, Linkability from Image Metadata, which is shown on page 3 of the ENISA white paper. In case your not sure to what they’re referring, ENISA is talking about how social network members can tag an image to anyone’s profile on that same social network, with or without the permission of the person who owns that profile. Sheesh! Yes, it sounds “cool” but it also sounds a bit creepy.
Within a social network, members can tag photos, of anything, with the names/profiles of anyone else on that network, out of the control of the person who is being tagged. How can this negatively affect, or threaten, a business?
How about risque photos being tagged to your company’s salespeople, members of that social network, when they had nothing to do with those pictures? What could this imply about the character of those much needed salespeople?
How about photos of your competitor’s company picnic being tagged to people in your marketing department, members of that social network, when they weren’t anywhere near that event? Could this imply collusion with the competitor?
How about photos of a financial scandal perp walk being tagged to your company finance people, members of that social network, when they don’t know the people arrested? What could that imply about the integrity of your company’s financial management?
You’re thinking, “Yes, this could happen. But none of it would be true.” Doesn’t matter. Truth is not always reality; perception is reality. And if that perception becomes widespread enough, out of control, that perception could become damaging to your company’s reputation.
Although this problem doesn’t appear to be pervasive now, it could very well be later, and at the hands of very clever, and determined, competitors.
Again, food for thought.
In my next post on this subject, I’ll be looking at some other social media threats that ENISA has pointed out, and adding in some of my own discovery.
__________
Like this post? Tweet it! >> “Business Threats from Social Media – Part 2″ http://tinyurl.com/9uaepo
