Nearly all Web 2.0 applications started life as consumer-focused services, only later finding their way into the enterprise. But unlike many consumer ‘toys’, Web 2.0 actually delivers impressive benefits to the enterprise, including:
Streamlining collaboration within and beyond the enterprise
Accelerating search and information retrieval
Capturing knowledge assets and facilitating knowledge transfer
Speeding application development and deployment
Communicating with stakeholders in new ways
Some of these benefits are ‘soft’. Others are quantifiable. But all have combined to earn the attention of line-of-business managers and IT strategists alike. Web 2.0 is here to stay.

In fact, it’s now evolving into Enterprise 2.0 – the application of Web 2.0 technologies to workers using network software within an organization

Every new technology introduced into the enterprise brings with it new threats. Web 2.0 is no different, with threats including:
Infection and downtime – caused by viruses, worms, Trojans and spyware specifically carried by Web 2.0 applications
Data leaks – as staff members get lulled into a false sense of security, or intentionally share things they shouldn’t share
Legal prosecution – for illegal activities or regulatory breaches
Productivity loss – as users spend more time on blogs and social networking sites than on work
Resource waste – as servers and networks become congested with frivolous multimedia content
Reputation damage – as any of the above abuses hit the headlines
These threats may look similar to the threat landscape associated with Web and email use in general. But the unique nature of Web 2.0 technologies demand a new understanding and new defenses

At Clearswift, we’ve been helping enterprises protect themselves against Internet-base threats for nearly twenty years. As Web 2.0 began to take shape, we worked hard to ensure that our Web security solutions were ready.

As a result, the MIMEsweeper for Web software and the MIMEsweeper Web Appliance solutions are already protecting hundreds of major organizations from the threats posed by Web 2.0 services.

This guide is a quick introduction to the main Web 2.0 applications, their uses and their risks. Given the dynamic nature of Web 2.0, it can never be the last word on the subject. Instead, think of it as the first word in a dialogue that we hope will improve the security of every enterprise, whether or not they choose to use our technology.

We’re always updating our own understanding of Web 2.0 in real enterprise deployments, so please keep in touch

Download pdf Demystifying Web 2.0