EDS announces instant messaging U-turn

NEWS EDS has performed a U-turn on its instant messaging (IM) ban, saying it has realised it needs the software to communicate with customers. Earlier this week EDS banned all staff from using IM software in its offices but the company has now decided to reverse this decision. EDS originally said it had security concerns about all commercial IM software, such as Yahoo!, MS Messenger and AOL's AIM. A leaked memo circulated among all EDS staff, and written by Paul Clark, EDS' chief information security officer, says: "Due to the nature of this change, we are aware of several clients that are affected and are working to co-ordinate alternative solutions for those clients. Blocking instant messenger capability at the firewall will not occur as previously scheduled on 8 May 2002. We will follow-up when a new date has been determined."