A survey commissioned by GFI Software to understand the web monitoring and web filtering practices of SMBs and to determine the state of awareness about IT security solutions revealed that the Internet usage policies that were in place to counter malicious attacks and online threats were woefully inadequate.

Two hundred U.S.-based IT decision makers at organizations with between five and 249 employees participated in the survey that was conducted by Opinion Matters, between September 29 and October 4, 2011.

Interestingly, the survey showed that in spite of having suffered security breaches that had compromised data to some extent, a majority of web monitoring software users didn't regard the defense of their network as a high priority.

In fact the reasons for using such software was mainly to ensure employee productivity, conserve network bandwidth and speed and prevent employees from visiting malicious sites. Some respondents claimed that they didn't even have a monitoring or filtering software in place while some of those that did have a social networking use policy had no way to monitor the extent to which employees adhered to it.

"The survey results indicate a lack of awareness about the full capabilities of web monitoring software and how these solutions are evolving into critical components of effective SMB network security practices," said Phil Bousfield, general manager, Infrastructure Business Unit, GFI Software, in a press release.

Bousfield suggested that web monitoring solutions needed to primarily ward off cyber attacks and protect networks from online threats in any form. While concerns over employee productivity and bandwidth management were understandable, such concerns shouldn't override the primary one of protecting the network. Adequate web monitoring software would equip SMBs to balance the benefits of Internet access while minimize risks it brings in its wake.

GFI Software claims that its GFI WebMonitor, a robust web monitoring, filtering and security solution, would enable SMBs to enjoy the benefits of the web without compromising its networks.