Haven't P2P'd yet?
The concept of linking together many devices in peer networks is not new. In fact, it's been around in one form or another for ages (see related story). The current Napster-flavored hype, however, means that enterprises can't wait for P2P standards and security to be ironed out, experts say. That's because, realistically, enterprises simply can't keep freeware downloads from spreading through desktops like the flu at a Christmas party.
"This stuff sneaks in the backdoor before you know it," said Tony Scott, chief technology officer at General Motors Systems and Services. "It has to rise to some level before you officially take notice of it. That pattern is established in IT. I'd be dishonest if I said you didn't see some of it at GM."
This can be a concern if the uninvited P2P applications lack robust security, scalability and means to control dissemination of sensitive corporate intelligence outside of IT's watchful eye.
"If there's no central network where you can monitor this stuff, then P2P becomes very difficult from a management perspective," said Don Gilbert, senior vice president of IT at the National Retail Federation.
That caution is still common in enterprises that haven't tinkered with the new batch of P2P-client/server hybrid applications. Those who have tinkered are far more confident about not losing control, however. "In our environment, it's not something we worry about," said Lee Rocklage, network manager at DPR Construction, which is using myCIO's Rumor anti-virus definition distribution software. "[The files being distributed] aren't anything a text editor can bring up and look at, so there's minimal risk."
Indeed, pilot tests being done by enterprises such as American Century and Renovotech.com are showing that the P2P applications now getting rolled out by the truckload are a much better-behaved lot than applications such as the pure-P2P Gnutella, which has been bogged down by peers that have slow Internet connections. And given its benefits, even naysayers have to admit, P2P is coming, and they probably can't stop it.
