Businesses needed to prepare for more social network use by their employees, Symantec vice-president and managing director for the Pacific region Craig Scroggie said.
Employers needed to understand people would use social networks no matter what restrictions were put in place.
"If they block websites, people will bring in their own devices.
"They will forward work emails to that device because that is the one they want to use.
"It's no big deal. Workers see social networking as a necessity, as a way of life."
Mr Scroggie is a user of social networking and this writer has now been invited to connect through LinkedIn.
He said Symantec staff used social networking to communicate during the day.
Asked about productivity of the staff when they were able to use social networking at work, Mr Scroggie said the output of his staff was more important than how many hours they sat at their desks.
Businesses were missing opportunities to get the best out of their workers by restricting internet use.
"Businesses have to get over it.
"Social networking is used in the workplace, one way or another."
