KEELE, ENGLAND — Security solutions provider iCritical has launched an anti-porn tool as part of its core email security offering. The iCritical Image Analyser can identify, monitor and block pornographic images that are distributed by email over client IT networks.According to the company, inappropriate image content exposes employers to legal liability, sexual harassment lawsuits, reduced productivity, damaged company image and reputation, and network slowdowns. The iCritical Image Analyser was designed to reduce those risks.

“Senior management teams in many organisations would be shocked to find out how frequently their networks are being used to carry indecent email images, yet ignorance is not an adequate defence against the potential legal, financial and operational consequences,” said iCritical Director Chris Gee. “The risks are just too great to ignore this common workplace issue.”

The solution combines technology, education and monitoring in its “war on porn.” Real-time composition analysis distinguishes between pornographic and non-pornographic images. Once an image has been identified as suspect, details such as sender, recipient, date and time can be logged.

Upon identification of the sender and receiver, an automatic email notification is sent to inform both they have breached company acceptable email use policy. Activity levels can be monitored over time to ensure clear management visibility on the level of the issue and the parties involved.

“Image Analyser takes email security to a whole new level by offering organizations protection against significant legal and operational threats which could result from individuals transmitting and receiving pornographic material while at work,” Gee said. “It is a customizable solution, allowing users to define what they deem as acceptable and non-acceptable image content, and it is available in either an enforcement mode or monitoring mode. This enables users to choose whether they wish to totally block delivery of suspect image content or copy suspect messages while allowing delivery to the intended recipient.”

Image Analyser has been launched as an optional feature for mailCritical, iCritical’s fully managed email security solution. mailCritical also protects enterprises from spam and viruses and infractions of acceptable email use policies. The product allows disaster recovery and email archiving and includes an online management portal for remote access to network and performance reports. It can be employed on-site as a gateway solution or off-site.