Issues regarding people accessing my files - server level

[W E B G U R L]

Where I work, they are asking me to back up all of my Outlook and My
Documents to their own server. Should I be concerned about this? Can my
files be accessed by anyone with server permission? What are they able to
see?

Can you password protect sections/folders, so sure, it is on the server but
only I can view?

thanks in advance

 

[Cheryl Fischer]

Employers in the USA (and probably elsewhere) are entitled to "see" any and
emails or other documents that employees create, send and receive using
company-owned hardware/software. And, yes, it is possible that
administrators or others with appropriate permissions could see those emails
and documents once they are copied to a server. A good "rule of thumb" to
follow is: If a (presumed personal) document or email would cause
embarrassment if someone other than you saw it, do not create or keep it on
company-owned computers!

As to putting a password on your folders, I would not recommend it, as this
"flags" your folder as something unusual.

 

[Kathy Drungilas]

Just to add a note--I heartily agree with Cheryl's answer! Just so you
know, if your computer is connected to a network at work, system
administrators can already access whatever you may have on the pc. Most
never take a look and don't much care about files--but programs,
screensavers, etc should never be different than those specified by your IS
Department. In the 10+ years I've been a system engineer/mail
administrator, the only times I've taken a closer look at a user's computer
is when asked by a manager or the HR department.

The main reason you are being asked to copy documents/mail to the server is
to protect your data and place it on a backup tape for archiving/retrieval
in the event your computer experiences a software/hardware failure. This
protects business resources and nearly every business does it. If your
objections are due to a higher-level of confidentiality in the work that you
do, then speak to your HR and IS Managers about securing the
folders/directories in which you'll store your data on the server so that
the average users cannot access your files. System administrators are hired
to protect data--they will always be entrusted with access to everything on
the network else they cannot work effectively. Trust them.

But Cheryl is right--if its personal, it should be on your home computer.
If its offensive, illegal or non-business, then you are in an ethical
quagmire. Your employer pays you to work, gives you tools to work and
expects what is on your computer to be work-related.
Kathy Drungilas