New laws planned for introduction this spring, which require UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to log all email sent and received for at least 12 months, could cause a lot of headaches.

The government had planned to make the European Union Data Retention Directive (EUDRD) part of a wider Communications Data Bill, but the bill has been spun out as a standalone statutory instrument in order to meet a March deadline.

The laws require ISPs to store user communications for at least 12 months where the government has requested them to do so.

Although plans have yet to be confirmed, it is expected that all ISPs will be `requested' to store data when the Act comes into force on April 6.

But the Act may not be the answer to criminal usage of the Internet, as Facetime Communications, a communications security firm, says that criminals are increasingly using other forms of communication.

Nick Sears, the firm's vice president, says that monitoring communications email is just one part of the story, as criminals are now using technologies such as Instant Messaging and Facebook Chat to communicate.

Simply logging emails sent and received, and ignoring Instant Messaging, he says, would be like locking the front door, but leaving the ground floor windows open.

Citing the example of early 2008 when Jirtme Kerviel was arrested after causing a reported 3.6 billion pound loss to Societe Generale, Sears says that much of the communication for his crime was carried
out over Instant Messaging.

"He believed that Instant Messaging allowed him to circumvent the corporate controls on his email account. Fortunately in this case he was wrong and the bank was able to retrieve these instant messages, which provided a clear trail for investigators," he explained.

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<p>New laws planned for introduction this spring, which require UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to log all email sent and received for at least 12 months, could cause a lot of headaches.<br /><br />The government had planned to make the <a href="http://tinyurl.com/dklj8r" target="_blank">European Union Data Retention Directive</a> (EUDRD) part of a wider Communications Data Bill, but the bill has been spun out as a standalone statutory instrument in order to meet a March deadline.<br /><br />The laws require ISPs to store user communications for at least 12 months where the government has requested them to do so.<br /><br />Although plans have yet to be confirmed, it is expected that all ISPs will be `requested' to store data when the Act comes into force on April 6.<br /><br />But the Act may not be the answer to criminal usage of the Internet, as Facetime Communications, a communications security firm, says that criminals are increasingly using other forms of communication.<br /><br />Nick Sears, the firm's vice president, says that monitoring communications email is just one part of the story, as criminals are now using technologies such as Instant Messaging and Facebook Chat to communicate.<br /><br />Simply logging emails sent and received, and ignoring Instant Messaging, he says, would be like locking the front door, but leaving the ground floor windows open.<br /><br />Citing the example of early 2008 when Jirtme Kerviel was arrested after causing a reported 3.6 billion pound loss to Societe Generale, Sears says that much of the communication for his crime was carried<br />out over Instant Messaging.<br /><br />&quot;He believed that Instant Messaging allowed him to circumvent the corporate controls on his email account. Fortunately in this case he was wrong and the bank was able to retrieve these instant messages, which provided a clear trail for investigators,&quot; he explained.</p><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Original Source:<br /> The Business IT Guide (<a href="http://www.businessitguide.com" title="www.businessitguide.com">www.businessitguide.com</a>) – A free, online resource helping small companies exploit technology for business benefit.</p> <img src="http://scotland.businessitguide.com/uploads/120x90.jpg" alt="Logo" />

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New laws planned for introduction this spring, which require UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to log all email sent and received for at least 12 months, could cause a lot of headaches. The government had planned to make the [European Union Data Retention Directive][1] (EUDRD) part of a wider Communications Data Bill, but the bill has been spun out as a standalone statutory instrument in order to meet a March deadline. The laws require ISPs to store user communications for at least 12 months where the government has requested them to do so. Although plans have yet to be confirmed, it is expected that all ISPs will be `requested' to store data when the Act comes into force on April 6. But the Act may not be the answer to criminal usage of the Internet, as Facetime Communications, a communications security firm, says that criminals are increasingly using other forms of communication. Nick Sears, the firm's vice president, says that monitoring communications email is just one part of the story, as criminals are now using technologies such as Instant Messaging and Facebook Chat to communicate. Simply logging emails sent and received, and ignoring Instant Messaging, he says, would be like locking the front door, but leaving the ground floor windows open. Citing the example of early 2008 when Jirtme Kerviel was arrested after causing a reported 3.6 billion pound loss to Societe Generale, Sears says that much of the communication for his crime was carried out over Instant Messaging. "He believed that Instant Messaging allowed him to circumvent the corporate controls on his email account. Fortunately in this case he was wrong and the bank was able to retrieve these instant messages, which provided a clear trail for investigators," he explained. [1]: http://tinyurl.com/dklj8r