Need help justifying IM at work

quote:Hellby writes:
At my work, a war has raged for months. A few of us want and need to IM for work reasons…(we work on 2 floors so for the receptionist using IM saves her paging all over the 2 floors) But, let’s be honest…using IM with friends not at work is part of the fun as well.

So, the “Computer Guy” is a moron. He is not IT or Network, he has worked there for 10 years and has turned into the “Tech Guy” He is adamant that using IM will destroy our company due to IM not being secure. It appears that as of now, we may have swayed him, sort of. He has OK’d using MSN Messenger only and for internal contacts only.

Can anyone help me by giving me substantial articles that state using IM with external contacts is safe and secure. Also, any thoughts and feelings about MSN…is MSN the most targeted for any security issues. I am so irritated by this situation, any help would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, I work at a small company, not some corporate behemoth. I guess that is why enforcing some dip **** policy seems stupid to me.

Thank you very much.