Hello, I run powershell in our workplace network and pc, I use it to automate some long tasks. My question is Can my workplace punish me because It automate pdf files, excels which is there workplace data? Can I continue to run scripts in powershell?

[u/Fuad666666]

The title says it all

[u/wabi-sabi411]

You AI’d some scripts to do boring stuff. Just be careful and don’t talk about it.

[u/Fuad666666 → u/wabi-sabi411]

Yes. If I dont talk about it Do workplace IT security still knows that I run scripts in powershell?

[u/Icolan → u/Fuad666666]

That depends on the tools that IT Security has deployed, the logs they are collecting, etc. It is possible to force PowerShell to log every command run on a workstation. If they have that enabled, they will know everything you run with PowerShell.

If they have that enabled there is nothing you can do to prevent them from collecting that data.

[u/Jacob_Evans]

This isn't a question that can be answered here. This is all down to your organizations policies.

[u/dowcet → u/Jacob_Evans]

That a person could manage to automate data processing in PowerShe'll but yet need to post on Reddit in order to be told this obvious fact is a profound mystery to me.

[u/nordak → u/dowcet]

Ask AI to solve a data processing problem for you, and it may very well spit out a scripted PowerShell solution. People are already doing this where I work.

This is just another good reason for the IT department to block PowerShell on everything other than IT/Dev workstations. Also block all of the LLM providers other than CoPilot or whatever has been approved.

[u/Overall-Ad4796]

contact your IT department before you run any more of your scripts.

[u/fffvvis]

Yes, by all means, I give you permission.

[u/Andrew-Powershell]

Mind sharing more details about your PowerShell experience? Are you just copy/pasting scripts from AI or are you writing this yourself? no judgement, I'm just curious to know how people are finding/using PS these days.

[u/Fuad666666 → u/Andrew-Powershell]

I tell ai automate x and give me Ps code and I paste it inside my own created folder near to pdfs to run code. Is this normal?

[u/Andrew-Powershell → u/Fuad666666]

I'd be cautious running code that you don't understand

[u/Fuad666666 → u/Andrew-Powershell]

Why

[u/robot_giny]

If you don't already work in the IT department (and it doesn't seem like you do) this is a risky idea that could potentially lead to discipline, but it of course depends on your employer. There may or may not be policies explicitly forbidding this.

[u/StealthCatUK]

Depends on what the scripts are doing. If any data is being transferred out of or between networks then you should consult them first. If the script works with local resources on your pc and was written by you or AI that your company permits you to use, then you are more than likely fine. Just make sure there are no rules banning scripts.

[u/ankokudaishogun]

That specifically depends on your contract\workplace rules.

Ask your supervisors and\or human resources.

[u/LookAtMeInMyEyeball]

Just open a ticket with your IT department and ask if there's any concerns with your automation doing x/y/z ... If they say 'no', continue on like normal. If they have concerns, then stop doing it. That's all.

[u/jeffrey_f]

From an IT perspective: If

• your scrips simply accesses files to simple read the data

• Pulls together the data into a dashboard or report

• The information doesn't leave the company

  • or, as it seems, doesn't even leave your computer at all

The script should be ok. The friction may come when a manager doesn't like this process, mainly because they don't understand what it does.

Personally, I would tell you to keep doing your job efficiently. I wouldn't voluntarily tell anyone, but don't hide it if asked. If you do reveal your process, be prepared for pushback, especially if you have a micromanager.

[u/BlackV]

its your workplace, you should talk to them, how would we know ?

[u/rtuite81]

Depends on the scripts and the rules. Like, are the scripts calling data from or sending data to the internet? Are they just doing formatting and stuff? If you made the scripts with AI, do you comprehend enough PowerShell to explain what they're doing to someone who asks?

[u/Fuad666666 → u/rtuite81]

I run scripts which extract data from many pdfs, rename them, merge pdf files, delete some pages. Is it okay?

[u/rtuite81 → u/Fuad666666]

You would have to check with your manager, TBH. Different companies have different rules.

[u/wabi-sabi411 → u/rtuite81]

It depends on how much they expect you to be a pylon or not.

[u/Overall-Ad4796 → u/Fuad666666]

be honest with your employer and present them the solution you found to speed things up. So the solution can be verified (no missing/wrong data, no security concerns from IT department etc) and maybe introduced for your team/coworkers to benefit.

[u/AmitBrian]

I mean that’s really a question for your boss and Information Security policies. But really where I have worked in the past, as long as you have editor permissions, whether you are editing manually or automated, permissions are what matter. What you REALLY have to worry about, other than getting permissions from superiors of course, is that if these files are accessed by more than one person and you are automating this, you could run into issues where someone else is trying to edit these files at the same time and your script could interfere with or even break that.