Certified Internet Web (CIW) Professional Practice Exam

What is a disadvantage of using SMS for urgent company communications?

1. Limited character count for messages

2. Risk of sending to the wrong recipient

3. Dependence on mobile signal strength

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

Using SMS for urgent company communications has several notable disadvantages, and one of the primary concerns is that it can be affected by a combination of factors. Each disadvantage highlighted contributes to the overall effectiveness of using SMS as a communication tool. The limited character count for messages can restrict the amount of information that can be conveyed in a single message. This can lead to the need for multiple text messages to relay complete information, which can extend the time taken for urgent communications and may create confusion if messages are not received in the correct order. Additionally, there is a risk of sending messages to the wrong recipient. In urgent situations, the chance of mistyping a phone number or accidentally selecting the wrong contact can result in sensitive information being sent to unintended individuals, potentially leading to privacy breaches or misunderstandings. Dependence on mobile signal strength presents another challenge. If employees are in areas with poor reception or if there are network issues, important messages may not be delivered in a timely manner, potentially impacting critical decision-making processes or response times needed during urgent situations. These factors combined illustrate why opting for SMS as the sole method of urgent communication can present significant risks. Thus, all these disadvantages contribute to the concern surrounding the use of SMS for urgent communications within a company.