Chat is pervasive throughout our enterprise. Its use is an integral part of how most businesses get work done.  It is understandable considering how much faster it is than talking on the phone or even sending an email.  The ability to exchange information in real-time, cutting right to the chase, is what makes instant messaging (IM) so enticing to corporate society.  The problem is that users are just as susceptible if not more so to malicious attacks, since they have not been educated as to the dangers that IM can bring.  This is why I chose to eliminate my dependence on outside entities for my organizations internal chatting needs.

Each month, I do my best to find an interesting topic to focus on or a new project that I can share.  I sought out a way that could eliminate third party chat clients, namely AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and outside servers that are not in our control. I also sought to do this all while making the project cost effective and more secure.  That was the intent, anyhow, but sadly I fell short.  And this is where I need your help.