News

News Archive- 13 May 2005

PixAlert blurs illicit images while you watch

PixAlert Monitor helps to avoid criminal or civil claims from individuals exposed to inappropriate or illegal images in the workplace

 

Wellington, New Zealand - Innovative new software from PixAlert to prevent illegal or inappropriate images from being displayed in the workplace will be on show in New Zealand for the first time at the eRisk consulting ltd stand (A21) at the GOVIS 2005 conference in Wellington between the 18th & 20th of May 2005. 

PixAlert Monitor scans, analyses and blurs images as they are displayed on computer screens if they contain illicit content. This real-time capability prevents inadvertent or deliberate exposure of pornographic images in the workplace, schools and colleges or public areas such as libraries that could expose directors, management and employees to criminal and civil claims.  PixAlert Monitor detects and prevents exposure of inappropriate and illegal images originating from any computer source. This includes the Internet but also through CD or DVD media, USB-connected memory sticks or phones, 3G cellular and WiFi hotspots.

The ability to blur images in real time adds a new level of protection for employees and members of the public. Controls, set by the organisation, can allow the user to take a conscious decision to override the blurring if the image material is relevant - in a hospital environment, for example.

According to The Centre for Internet Studies, more than 60 percent of companies have disciplined staff and over 30 percent have terminated employment for illicit image abuse. By implementing PixAlert Monitor, organisations can ensure their employees comply with policies and legislation on inappropriate and illegal content. At the same time, PixAlert Monitor reduces security and legal risks for managers and directors, improves IT resource management and enhances employee productivity. 

“Inappropriate images in the workplace are more than just a nuisance,” said Andy Churley, PixAlert’s Marketing Director: “Their presence on corporate computers and dissemination through a network can have severe consequences for an organisation and its corporate officers, including exposure to civil litigation, criminal proceedings, brand and reputation damage, financial loss and breach of corporate policies. PixAlert Monitor is unique in that it not only stops inappropriate and illegal web-based images, but also safeguards against illicit images being introduced from any source.”

PixAlert Monitor resides on the desktop and watches screen content for inappropriate or illegal image content. Regardless of the source, when an improper image is viewed, a record is created in an audit log and an immediate alert can be sent to the administrator console.

The administrator can view an encrypted copy of the image, along with the source machine and user name, date-time and the program used to view it.  When blurring is activated, PixAlert Monitor scans images as they are requested for display and, if deemed unsuitable, will blur the image to prevent exposure to the user or any other unsuspecting individual. If the user is given the option to override the blurring and view the image, these actions are immediately recorded and logged.

Benefits:

• Reduces the risk of civil or criminal litigation;

• Enforces “acceptable use” policies to protect the organisation’s reputation;

• Helps to curb inappropriate and costly network traffic and storage requirements;

• Improves productivity and return on Internet investment;

• PC/server-based to mitigate risk associated with out-of-band introduction of material from sources such as WiFi, USB keys, Firewire, DVD, memory sticks;

• Monitors without impeding technology performance or end-user ability to work.

If you missed us at this event but would like to receive a whitepaper titled "Understanding and managing illicit image abuse in the workplace" please contact info@pixalert.com