The commercialisation of IT and internet services present a growing threat to company security a new report suggests.

Research firm Gartner says that businesses are increasingly using commercial IT solutions like consumer e-mail and instant messenger systems in the workplace.

While these can be useful for businesses, they also represent a threat to the organisation's IT security, the firm has warned.

In addition, things like VoIP technology, blogs and social networking sites are changing how the internet is used by businesses, but firms must also adopt new security measures to combat unexpected threats.

"Although consumer technologies create new risks for the enterprise, eliminating their use is increasingly difficult, and impractical," explained Rich Mogull, research vice president for Gartner.

"By taking security precautions and investing in foundational security technologies now, enterprises can prepare themselves for increasing use of consumer devices, services and networks with their organisation, and manage these risks."

Recently, a study by T-Mobile found that 23 per cent of UK workers were not allowed to access social network sites like Facebook while at work, despite research which found that these sites can be useful business tools.