With the frenzy over doing everything via the variations on internet access, it would appear that some people have lost track of what is appropriate, and what is not appropriate for internet distribution. Though it is possible to use many different kinds of tools via an internet connection, there are certain things that should remain off line and protected from the scrutiny of the world wide web, and the problems associated when access to this information stream is unavailable. As business moves to create the next surge of web based applications and access, leaders should be reminded of several serious drawbacks associated with certain types of information exchange and storage being promoted as desirable to the under informed.

The internet is a source of extremely open and fast communications, making it wonderful for many types of business applications to transfer information. Yet, it is because of this open access that certain types of information should be protected from being injected into this stream. Here is a list of items to consider that may not be best to use the internet to accomplish.

1. Vital business information - When businesses transfer their vital business information to be controlled and managed by remote servers of internet service providers, there are risks of losing access to the information during periods of server down time, or changes to provider services. An enterprise may run serious risks of not being able to conduct vital operations if they cannot access and maintain online data. Other risks that have recently been in the news involves large banks of customer information being hijacked by hackers who access internet systems that were thought to be secure. Though the transmission of vital business information has become commonplace on the web, cutting a business off from control over that information by shunting it to an internet deployment offers far greater risks of crippling contingencies not found by using internal data storage systems not connected with internet access.

2. Virtual hard disk storage - There are companies offering customers the opportunity to use an internet based information storage system that stores all the data that can be found on a PC hard drive. By using an internet server as a "hard drive" all the information that would otherwise be managed on a physical disk can be scrutinized, manipulated, and disconnected from the control of system users. No matter how good it sounds to use the internet for personal data storage, the risks of exposure, loss, and unauthorized access to sensitive personal information rise astronomically when no longer self contained on a secure machine.

3. Personal information "programs" - Many people do not think twice about using an internet based calendar or planning tool to record, access, communicate, and store their personal organization and contact information. When people use internet based tools like these instead of desktop applications, the risks of having unscrupulous access to the information, and misuse of the data in a wide variety of ways can become a serious breach of privacy for the sake of "convenience." It is far more secure to use desktop software applications for storing sensitive personal information.

As a general rule, any information that a person or business does not feel comfortable with offering for open access should not be stored permanently on an intranet or internet based server system. Using email document transfer, or instant messaging to transfer information between businesses and individuals carries enough risks in themselves to warrant due caution. The insidious proliferation of freely available internet based applications to replace the purchase of secure desktop programs is the incentive for people to avoid purchasing software that should be kept on a PC instead of handed over to the web.

Before diving into the internet revolution with both feet, make sure the use of these convenient applications is not the equivalent of cutting your feet off at the ankles. One should consider more than mere convenience in deciding to lose personal control over vital information. It is not enough to select what information goes into these applications. An informed user should also take the time to consider the consequences of losing control over the software package that stores the information of choice.