A DUBLIN firm has developed e-learning software for teaching people how to better protect themselves on social networks, which was co-written by Ira Winkler, one of the world’s foremost information security experts.
The product, developed by Vigitrust, is called Security for Social Networking 101 and is a response to the risks that have emerged from the popularity of sites such as Facebook and Twitter. The amount of personal information that people publish can make it easy for fraudsters to pass themselves off as friends and ask their victims for money.
The module is also intended to address the concerns of businesses, especially in the US, that certain kinds of company information might not be suitable for publishing on a social network. Since banning these sites outright is probably not an option for many firms, training is seen as a way to educate staff about appropriate behaviour when online.
“Organisations are waking up to the fact that staff can’t just share any kind of information on a network, especially one where information propagates so quickly,” said Vigitrust chief executive Mathieu Gorge.
The training software includes advice on how data on social networks can be used against not only the individual who posts but also against the organisation for which they work. It suggests what type of data people should not put in the public domain and raises awareness of organisation reputation.
The module also includes case studies of social network security compromises so that people can understand the risks and recognise danger signs.
Winkler, president of the Internet Security Advisers Group and one of the world’s most influential security professionals, co-wrote the module. Ironically his involvement with Vigitrust came about through social contacts – of the real-world kind. Gorge met him on several occasions at conferences and Winkler has also visited Ireland many times.
Gorge said Winkler’s involvement “further enhances” the credibility of Vigitrust’s product, especially in the US where Winkler’s name is more widely known and where the company expects initial sales to be strongest.
The tool is available by itself or as part of Vigitrust’s E-Sec suite of security compliance training software. Although the company primarily sells to businesses, Gorge said there was an opportunity to sell the social networking module to consumers.
“There is probably scope for a light version of that module that could be potentially made available on sites like Facebook and Twitter,” he said.
Frenchman Gorge founded Vigitrust in 2003 in Dublin, where the company still has its headquarters. It also has offices in Paris, New York and London.
The company plans to recruit 11 new staff next year and Gorge said he expects the company to “at least double” over that time.
