Web conferencing, though it is a very effective tool has its own drawback. The lack of human element and the absence of nonverbal feedback, particularly when dealing with clients constitute the negative side of electronic communication. The field of medicine is one that uses web conferencing to great success. Telemedicine success stories are a good indication of the useful application of web conferencing. Web Conferencing, for example allows physician assistants and nurses to consult physicians and experts pertaining to patients symptoms and start appropriate treatment method for patients in hospitals and health care units running in remote locations. Similarly educational institutions embrace the technology offering e-learning modules for students from geographically diverse areas.

With careful planning and implementation of access privileges for different group of end-users internal security concerns can be allayed. Sensitive information can thus be protected by authorization. VOIP security concerns are a deterring factor as time and again hackers try to identify new vulnerabilities of the VOIP networks and attack them. [Johna Till Johnson] With most companies using web conferencing and live online meetings to share their applications and other sensitive data pertaining to their enterprise it becomes imperative to address the security concerns. Application sharing, which is one of the main features of the web conferencing software, exposes the system to potential hackers. Most big companies try to circumvent security breach problems involved in web conferencing by building their own web servers. However, such a solution is not feasible for small companies, considering the high costs associated with internal conference servers. One of the main hindrances, particularly for small sized companies is the hefty fee that service providers charge. Further, the use of remote control functionalities pose a significant risk as the possibility of identity theft or compromised authentication procedure implies a huge threat for the enterprise. These concerns aside, companies have to deal with a wide array of options which they have to carefully study before choosing the appropriate technology for their needs....

offer features that may not be required for small organizations. [Matt McKenzie]
Conclusion

It is clear that Internet-based conferencing is an indispensable business tool offering a clear increase in ROI. The benefits of conferencing could be maximized when conferencing allows and encourages effective collaboration between the members within an organization. Since such collaboration involves sharing of applications between the remote locations security issues become predominant. Prompted by these concerns companies are hesitant in enabling complete collaboration. As becomes clear from the Cisco example, where the interactive component is very limited, (not full scale collaboration) web conferencing can become less effective as a productivity tool. Further, standardization of software and hardware are other conditions that are to be addressed (in huge corporations like Cisco) if computer-based conferencing to be very effective. It goes without saying that Internet-based conferencing is a highly effective and indispensable tool for businesses. A carefully planned and implemented web conferencing system with enough security precautions would definitely produce considerable cost savings and increase the efficiency and productivity of the business.

Bibliography

1) Matt McKenzie. Five Web Conferencing Packages: Not Just Conference

Calls Anymore. NetworkComputing.com Dec 1, 2005 http://www.networkcomputing.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=174403432

2) Kelly Jackson-Higgins. Video IP Project Boosts Network's Profile: A Look at Cisco Media Network. NetworkComputing.com Apr 19, 2004 http://www.networkcomputing.com/showitem.jhtml?docid=1508centerfold

3) Kelly Jackson-Higgins. Concrete Company Trades Travel for Web

Meetings: Bye, Bye Frequent Flier Miles NetworkComputing.com, and Aug 11, 2005 http://www.absolute-sway.com/web-conferencing/Disadvantages_of_Web_Conferencing.html

4) Johna Till Johnson, "VOIP Security Concerns cannot be Ignored," Networkworld.com,

Aug 08, 2005 http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/080805johnson.html?fsrc=rss-security