Business IT managers must find effective ways to manage all their firm's electronic communications to cut down on any legal and regulatory compliance risks, a leading law firm has warned.

A vast amount of personal data and private information is now being sent online through any number of different IT-based channels. This growing internet awareness, however, means that effective management of all business IT functions is now imperative, according to the new report by US law firm Baker & McKenzie.

Research in the US in 2005 found that 15 per cent of firms in the country had faced a lawsuit after an employee sent an inappropriate or insecure email. Accordingly, the new report suggests that firms across the world must now find suitable ways to monitor, filter and store all client and personnel-related details or else risk legal challenges.

"Companies of all shapes and sizes, not just large or regulated public companies, should beware that the age of electronic data imposes challenges and liabilities," commented report author Cynthia Jackson.

"[SMBs] should also be thinking about implementing systems and training now to safeguard their IP, customer and employee confidential data, protecting their employees from offensive electronic emails and websites and preparing for document destruction overrides."

Founded in 1949, Baker & McKenzie now has a renowned global presence, with more than 3,000 lawyers operating from 70 offices across 38 different countries.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent)