Retailer Harvey Nichols has implemented software to control employee use of the internet to help protect its brand and reputation.

The department store group wanted to give online access to 350 staff.

But the company was worried about the potential effect of internet misuse or damaging emails sent from its systems, and wanted to apply strict controls and filters.

'It wasn't that we had a particular problem,' said Lee Smith, network manager at Harvey Nichols.

'But our biggest asset is our name so we have to be careful.'

Smith says the company was also worried about unmonitored use of the web in relation to regulatory requirements.

'We have to make sure we are protected because of our name, so we have a stricter policy than a lot of other companies,' he said.

Harvey Nichols has installed software from supplier Websense to manage its internet use.

'Return on investment is difficult because we haven't measured it. It wasn't a large driver. It's not there to reduce costs. It was about enabling people and doing it safely,' said Smith.