Ely IT Systems : Acceptable Use Policy

[Reviewed and agreed at Full Governors’ Committee Meeting held on Wednesday 24 January 2007]

This document applies to all users of the College System, including: Students, Staff & Community users.

COMPUTING FACILITIES
Users are encouraged to make use of the college computing facilities for educational purposes. All users are
expected to act responsibly and to show consideration to others.

USE OF OTHER TECHNOLOGY
Technology such as media rich phones, MP3 players, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), memory cards, USB
Storage Keys and anything else that can be used to store, transmit or manipulate data should be used
responsibly, and in accordance with ICT Acceptable Use Policy even if not connected to the college network.

LOGGING ON AND SECURITY
- Users are responsible for the protection of their own network logon accounts and should not divulge passwords
to anyone.
- Passwords have to be complex (minimum of 6 characters, which must include a mixture of upper and lower case
letters and numbers).
- Staff passwords have an expiry time of 30 days and must be changed when reminded
- Student passwords do not expire and can only be changed by an IT technician.
- Users must not log on as someone else, nor use a computer which has been logged on by someone else. Users
must log off when leaving a workstation, even for a short time.

USE OF THE NETWORK AND COMPUTER FACILITIES
It is not acceptable to:
- Attempt to download or install programs to a college owned computer.
- Attempt to introduce a virus, or malicious code.
- Attempt to bypass network and systems security.
- Attempt to access another user's account.
- Attempt to gain access to an unauthorised area or system.
- Attempt to use any form of hacking or cracking software / system.
- Connect or install a Wireless Access Point directly to the network or via a computer.
- Connect or install any form of internet access device such as modem, broadband or internet enabled mobile
phones directly to the network or via a computer.
- Access, download, create, store or transmit material which is indecent or obscene, or material which could cause
annoyance, offence or anxiety to other users, or material which infringes copyright, or material which is unlawful.
- Engage in activities which waste technical support time and resources.

USE OF THE INTERNET
Access to the Internet is filtered to prevent access to inappropriate sites, and to protect the computer systems.
Users should be aware that the college logs all Internet use for students and for staff.
- The use of public chat rooms or messaging services (such as MSN, AOL or ICQ) is not allowed.
- Users should not copy and use material from the Internet to gain unfair advantage in their studies, for example in
coursework. Such actions may lead to disqualification by examination boards.
- Users should ensure that they are not breaking copyright restrictions when copying and using material from the internet.
- The use of the internet during lessons is under the direction of the teacher.
In order to ensure that there is a degree of external scrutiny of internet usage, the College will from time to time
make use of the Local Authority’s ICT audit team.

Wi-Fi ACCESS
Wireless access is now available throughout the college. College owned laptops can be configured to securely
communicate with the network.
Guest users can be given access in 2hr/4hr or 8hr blocks which gives them access to the Internet and our Intranet
systems. Guests cannot access our file servers or use our printing facilities. The Guest LAN is designed for
incoming visitors and evening groups wishing to access the internet.

USE OF EMAIL
Automated software scans all e-mail, and removes anything which could affect the security of the computer
systems, or contain unsuitable or offensive content.
- Pupils are not allowed to use email during lessons, unless the teacher for that lesson has allowed its use.
- If a user receives an e-mail from an unknown person, or which is offensive or upsetting, a member of the ICT
technical staff should be contacted immediately. Do not delete the email in question until the matter has been
investigated.
- SPAM email received should be forwarded to ‘abuse’ where it will be dealt with appropriately.
- The sending / forwarding of chain e-mails are not permitted.
- The sending of a large number of multiple e-mails is acceptable only for good reason. Before doing so, the user
must obtain permission from the Head of ICT or Network Manager.
- Do not open attachments from senders you do not recognize, or that look suspicious.
- Users should periodically delete unwanted sent and received e-mails.
- Pupils may only use the e-mail accounts set up by the College. The use of e-mail facilities such as Hotmail,
Yahoo and Googlemail is not permitted.

USE OF INSTANT MESSAGING
The use of Instant Messaging (IM) is not currently permitted within the Ely College Network.

PRINTING
All printing within the college is logged by printer and by user.
Students are provided with printing credits. Black & White copies are charged at 1 credit per sheet and colour is
charged at 5 credits per sheet.
Students can increase their credits by visiting the ICT office.

PERSONAL LAPTOPS / COMPUTERS
Personal laptops and computers are allowed to be connected to the college network.
They are subject to the ICT Acceptable Use Policy, and in addition;
- All computers must be brought in to ICT before being connected to the network.
- All computers must use the computer naming convention configured by ICT.
- All computers must use the computer workgroup name configured by ICT.
- All computers should, for their own protection, have the college managed Anti-Virus software installed.

PRIVACY AND PERSONAL PROTECTION
- Users must at all times respect the privacy of other users.
- Users should not forward private messages without permission from the original sender.
- Users should not supply personal information about themselves or others, on websites, within email or instant
messaging.
- Users must not attempt to arrange meetings with anyone met via a website, email or instant messaging.
- Users should realise that the college has a right to access personal folders on the Network. Privacy will be
respected unless there is reason to think that someone is not following the ICT Acceptable Use Policy or college
guidelines.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
Those who misuse the computer facilities and break the ICT Acceptable Use Policy will be subject to disciplinary
procedures.

ICT SUPPORT
If you have any questions, comments or requests with regards to the ICT Systems in place, do not hesitate to
contact the ICT technical staff.
Faulty equipment should be reported to the technical staff in person, or by e-mailing itsupport@elycollege.co.uk
Users should not attempt to repair equipment themselves.

Policy managed by M Sampson and updated: 14th November 2006.