Limits to Employee Software Downloads

Employers may benefit from implementing procedures to review software employees download to company computers. Monitoring software on company computers can cut the risk of malware or potential viruses infecting company data. BAS maintains an approved software list and does not let employees download new software without prior approval.

An approved software procedure typically originates in the IT department. The IT department can identify those programs that are necessary or appropriate for business use. Documentation of the approved software should be maintained and periodically updated as the needs of the business evolve.

Consider these tips for creating an approved software procedure:

• Maintain a list of approved software
• Distribute the approved software list to employees
• Review the approved software list and entertain requests for modifications to the list
• Periodically select a set number of employees' computers for compliance review
• Have an IT department representative physically access selected employees' computers to determine if the computer has any unapproved software
• If unapproved software is discovered, review the software for business and security appropriateness, and have an authorized individual make a determination as to whether the software can stay or should be deleted
• If the software is not approved or added to the approval list, notify the employee
• Have an IT department representative uninstall the software and document any action taken.

Maintaining an approved software procedure will help employers keep abreast of employer-provided computers and monitor potentially destructive software being used through the employer's computer system.