How social is your company?

Research reveals that 67 per cent of European CIOs and IT directors block Facebook

Like all research this one was done with a smidgen of self interest - but who cares?

The worrying thing is that attitudes towards social media within large businesses does not appear to be changing.

Easynet Global Services and Ipanema Technologies teamed up and questioned over 550 CIOs, IT directors, IT managers and network managers in large businesses across Europe to find out their thoughts on social media.

In total 67 per cent of those questioned said they block Facebook, 60 per cent block YouTube, 49 per cent block Twitter and 56 per cent block all online video.

That truly is an alarming statistic, particularly in the social media age, where if used correctly every different medium could actually benefit your business.

And with many bemoaning the skills gap and the lack of interest from young people in business - this is hardly the way to attract star new talent.

Blocking something as important as social media makes it even more of a temptation, and also screams to staff that management doesn't trust them. Hardly the way to foster good staff morale is it?

Not everyone will spend every working hour poking their friends or reading Cheryl Cole's inane ramblings on Twitter - many employees if encouraged would actually use social media to network and promote their businesses and skills.

And not everyone will spend it disclosing vital company secrets either. It is amazing how far a little trust will go.

Of course you will get the odd idiot that tries to ruin it for everyone else - but they will soon be weeded out.

Far better to be open, rather than to force it underground and discover nasty things are being said about your company on social networks outside of office hours.

We find it a crucial part of our working day at CRN and it is great for interacting with our audience.

I hope attitudes start changing soon, or the companies that keep blocking this mode of communication could come up against some interesting challenges in the future.