Securing P2P, IM, SMS, and Collaboration Tools
Carl Ness · 2012
This chapter discusses measures used to secure peer-to-peer (P2P), instant messaging (IM), short messaging services (SMS), and collaboration tools. P2P communications, IM, SMS, and collaboration tools must be directly addressed in any comprehensive security plan. P2P networks generally consist of different computers, or nodes, that communicate directly with each other. Depending on an organization's structure, leadership, function, and similar factors, methods for preventing and mitigating P2P threats can range from simple to complicated. Each organization must perform a risk analysis and determine its threat threshold when it comes to P2P technology. In most cases, the organization can ban the use of P2P completely, especially through enforceable policy. Care should be taken to ensure all employees and computers are in compliance with the ban. It should be forbidden to install P2P applications on personal computers, servers, and all other information systems that could be used to send and receive P2P-related traffic. Similarly, a ban on all IM technology would be the best way to ensure better enterprise security.