HCI confusion leaves directors at risk

Company directors could be leaving themselves open to hefty fines is they don't have IT policies in place to govern their firms' Home Computing Initiative (HCI) projects.

Fast Corporate Services said that its research has found that as many as two thirds of companies surveyed were unaware that it is the company directors who are liable for any illegal or inappropriate use of the PC by staff or their family members.

Technically, during the period that staff are leasing the PCs under HCI, the equipment still belongs to the company - along with the responsibility for any unlicensed or inappropriate use of the PC, said Chris Minchin, membership manager at Fast Corporate Services.

Companies should make sure that staff which take on PCs through HCI sign an agreement stating that the computer was supplied with a specific software specification and that all further additions are their responsibility.

"The easiest way for businesses to address corporate responsibility for the loaned devices is to ensure that all users of the scheme sign a comprehensive agreement governing their use of the PC," Minchin said in a statement.

He said that if an employee is using the computer to log onto the company network they should also sign policies to reflect mobile security concerns, making them aware of the risks associated with wireless connection.

"All users should also be made aware of threats such as spam, spyware and identity theft, with training provided if required," he added.