* [Blog](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog)
* [Palo Alto Networks](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/corporate/)
* [Uncategorized](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/)
* Streaming Audio: An Enabl...

# Streaming Audio: An Enabling Tool or Productivity Drain?

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Forigin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2Fstreaming-audio-an-enabling-tool-or-productivity-drain%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=Streaming+Audio%3A+An+Enabling+Tool+or+Productivity+Drain%3F&url=https%3A%2F%2Forigin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2Fstreaming-audio-an-enabling-tool-or-productivity-drain%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Forigin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2011%2F07%2Fstreaming-audio-an-enabling-tool-or-productivity-drain%2F&title=Streaming+Audio%3A+An+Enabling+Tool+or+Productivity+Drain%3F&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2011/07/streaming-audio-an-enabling-tool-or-productivity-drain/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=Streaming Audio: An Enabling Tool or Productivity Drain?)  
Link copied  
By [Matt Keil](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/matt/?ts=markdown "Posts by Matt Keil")  
Jul 18, 2011  
3 minutes  
[Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)  
[application control](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/application-control/?ts=markdown)  
[application usage \& risk report](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/application-usage-risk-report/?ts=markdown)  
[Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/firewall/?ts=markdown)

There is a view in some IT circles that any non-work related application should be banned. Social networking is their poster child and the rationale is that these apps are time wasting, bandwidth hogging, threat inducing etc.. The common reaction is to ban them all! The contrarian view is that social networking is used, as a means of getting your job done, as well as socializing. We believe that more and more IT organizations are aligning themselves with the latter of these two viewpoints.

For those who view social networking is the scourge of the work place, what I'm about to say will likely fall upon deaf ears. However, for those who are aware of how today's knowledge workers get their work done, allow me to advocate why streaming audio as a group of applications deserves a similar acceptance on corporate networks.

[](http://www.paloaltonetworks.com/researchcenter/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Spotify_usage_pandora_usage.jpg)  
[![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/researchcenter/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Spotify_usage_pandora_usage.jpg "Spotify_usage_pandora_usage")](http://www.paloaltonetworks.com/researchcenter/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Spotify_usage_pandora_usage.jpg)

* First off, everybody's doing it: In the latest Application Usage and Risk Report ([link](http://www.paloaltonetworks.com/literature/forms/aur-report.php)), which analyzed network traffic of over 1,200 organizations worldwide, the use of streaming audio applications was seen in 9 out of 10 organizations.
* Secondly, the near universal usage of audio streaming applications places very little strain on bandwidth consumption compared to other application categories. For example, Email consumed more than 5% of the bandwidth while streaming audio consumed 0.24%.
* Thirdly, there's no denying the popularity of streaming audio applications. Pandora, a very popular streaming audio site in the US, just had successful public offering ([link](http://blog.pandora.com/archives/press/2011/06/pandora_prices.html)). With a $2.7B market cap and millions of users in the US alone, they are clearly doing something right. And just last week, Spotify, a popular European streaming audio site recently announced its expansion plans into the US market ([link](http://www.spotify.com/us/about-us/press/hello-america-spotify-here/)).

The final and perhaps most prescient point is that employees need their space and personal music with headphones is one way of achieving this. Many of us at Palo Alto Networks listen to music at work all the time. I personally do because we work in a collaborative, bullpen environment and I am easily distracted, so it's my way of ensuring that I can focus on accomplishing my job.

So in reality, streaming audio is not only an entertainment application, it is also an enabling application. And as I look around our open floor-plan office space, I see many of my colleagues following a similar approach. And I know they are not slackers who are wasting time. How about your personal work habits? Are you a fan or foe to personal applications having a place in your workspace? Let us know!

Matt

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Ransomware Attacks: Why Your Endpoint Protection Can't Keep Up](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/ransomware-attacks-why-your-endpoint-protection-cant-keep-up/)

### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [Automation of the Week](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/automation-of-the-week/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### A Day in the Life with Your AgentiX Automation Engineer Agent](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/a-day-in-the-life-with-your-agentix-automation-engineer-agent/)

### [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Beyond the Cloud Dashboard: Exposure Management Requires Full-Scope Visibility and Real Action](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/beyond-the-cloud-dashboard-exposure-management-requires-full-scope-visibility-and-real-action/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Product Features](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/product-features/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### From ILOVEYOU to AI Defenders -- 25 Years of Email Evolution](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/from-iloveyou-to-ai-defenders-25-years-of-email-evolution/)

### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### The 3Cs of AI Red Teaming: Comprehensive, Contextual \& Continuous](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/the-3cs-of-ai-red-teaming-comprehensive-contextual-continuous/)

### [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [Uncategorized](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/uncategorized/?ts=markdown)

[#### Securing Shadow AI with Cortex Xpanse](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/securing-shadow-ai-with-cortex-xpanse/)

### Subscribe to the Blog!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language