Acceptable Usage Policy
SAMPLE K-12 TECHNOLOGY PLAN
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This Acceptable Usage Policy covers the security and use of all Company’s information and IT equipment. It also includes the use of email, internet, voice and mobile IT equipment. This policy applies to all Company’s employees, contractors and agents (hereafter referred to as ‘individuals’). This policy applies to all information, in whatever form, relating to Company’s business activities worldwide, and to all information handled by Company relating to other organizations with whom it deals. It also covers all IT and information communications facilities operated by Company or on its behalf.
Computer Access Control – Individual’s Responsibility
Access to the Company IT systems is controlled by the use of User IDs, passwords and/or tokens. All User IDs and passwords are to be uniquely assigned to named individuals and consequently, individuals are accountable for all actions on the Company’s IT systems.
Individuals must not:
- Allow anyone else to use their user ID/token and password on any Company IT system.
- Leave their user accounts logged in at an unattended and unlocked computer.
- Use someone else’s user ID and password to access Company’s IT systems.
- Leave their password unprotected (for example writing it down).
- Perform any unauthorized changes to Company’s IT systems or information.
- Attempt to access data that they are not authorized to use or access.
- Exceed the limits of their authorization or specific business need to interrogate the system or data.
- Connect any non-Company authorized device to the Company network or IT systems.
- Store Company data on any non-authorized Company equipment.
- Give or transfer Company data or software to any person or organization outside Company without the authority of Company.
Line managers must ensure that individuals are given clear direction on the extent and limits of their authority with regard to IT systems and data.
Internet and email Conditions of Use
Use of Company internet and email is intended for business use. Personal use is permitted where such use does not affect the individual’s business performance, is not detrimental to Company in any way, not in breach of any term and condition of employment and does not place the individual or Company in breach of statutory or other legal obligations. All individuals are accountable for their actions on the internet and email systems.
individuals must not:
- Use the internet or email for the purposes of harassment or abuse.
- Use profanity, obscenities, or derogatory remarks in communications.
- Access, download, send or receive any data (including images), which Company considers offensive in any way, including sexually explicit, discriminatory, defamatory or libelous material.
- Use the internet or email to make personal gains or conduct a personal business.
- Use the internet or email to gamble.
- Use the email systems in a way that could affect its reliability or effectiveness, for example distributing chain letters or spam.
- Place any information on the Internet that relates to Company, alter any information about it, or express any opinion about Company, unless they are specifically authorized to do this.
- Send unprotected sensitive or confidential information externally.
- Forward Company mail to personal (non-Company) email accounts (for example a personal Hotmail account).
- Make official commitments through the internet or email on behalf of Company unless authorized to do so.
- Download copyrighted material such as music media (MP3) files, film and video files (not an exhaustive list) without appropriate approval.
- In any way infringe any copyright, database rights, trademarks or other intellectual property.
- Download any software from the internet without prior approval of the IT Department.
- Connect Company devices to the internet using non-standard connections.
Clear Desk and Clear Screen Policy
In order to reduce the risk of unauthorized access or loss of information, Company enforces a clear desk and screen policy as follows:
Our Mission
We are a technology company focused on bringing fun and innovation to education. We make learning fun and increase student engagement which provides retention and application of what is learned. As a result creativity increases, students develop confidence, and a competitive spirit that provides a foundation for future success.
- Personal or confidential business information must be protected using security features provided for example secure print on printers.
- Computers must be logged off/locked or protected with a screen locking mechanism controlled by a password when unattended.
- Care must be taken to not leave confidential material on printers or photocopiers.
- All business-related printed matter must be disposed of using confidential waste bins or shredders.
Working Off-Site
It is accepted that laptops and mobile devices will be taken off-site. The following controls must be applied:
- Working away from the office must be in line with Company remote working policy.
- Equipment and media taken off-site must not be left unattended in public places and not left in sight in a car.
- Laptops must be carried as hand luggage when travelling.
- Information should be protected against loss or compromise when working remotely (for example at home or in public places). Laptop encryption must be used.
- Particular care should be taken with the use of mobile devices such as laptops, mobile phones, smartphones and tablets. They must be protected at least by a password or a PIN and, where available, encryption.
Mobile Storage Devices
Mobile devices such as memory sticks, CDs, DVDs and removable hard drives must be used only in situations when network connectivity is unavailable or there is no other secure method of transferring data. Only Company authorized mobile storage devices with encryption enabled must be used, when transferring sensitive or confidential data.
Software
Employees must use only software that is authorized by Company on Company’s computers. Authorized software must be used in accordance with the software supplier’s licensing agreements. All software on Company computers must be approved and installed by the Company IT department.
Individuals must not:
- Store personal files such as music, video, photographs or games on Company IT equipment.
Viruses
The IT department has implemented centralized, automated virus detection and virus software updates within the Company. All PCs have antivirus software installed to detect and remove any virus automatically. Individuals must not:
- Remove or disable anti-virus software.
- Attempt to remove virus-infected files or clean up an infection, other than by the use of approved Company anti-virus software and procedures.
Telephony (Voice) Equipment Conditions of Use
Use of Company voice equipment is intended for business use. Individuals must not use Company’s voice facilities for sending or receiving private communications on personal matters, except in exceptional circumstances. All non-urgent personal communications should be made at an individual’s own expense using alternative means of communications
Individuals must not:
- Use Company’s voice for conducting private business.
- Make hoax or threatening calls to internal or external destinations.
- Accept reverse charge calls from domestic or International operators, unless it is for business use.
Actions upon Termination of Contract
All Company equipment and data, for example laptops and mobile devices including telephones, smartphones, USB memory devices and CDs/DVDs, must be returned to Company at termination of contract. All Company data or intellectual property developed or gained during the period of employment remains the property of Company and must not be retained beyond termination or reused for any other purpose.
Monitoring and Filtering
All data that is created and stored on Company computers is the property of Company and there is no official provision for individual data privacy, however wherever possible Company will avoid opening personal emails. IT system logging will take place where appropriate, and investigations will be commenced where reasonable suspicion exists of a breach of this or any other policy.
Company has the right (under certain conditions) to monitor activity on its systems, including internet and email use, in order to ensure systems security and effective operation, and to protect against misuse. Any monitoring will be carried out in accordance with audited, controlled internal processes.
It is your responsibility to report suspected breaches of security policy without delay to your line management, the IT department, the information security department or the IT helpdesk. All breaches of information security policies will be investigated. Where investigations reveal misconduct, disciplinary action may follow in line with Company disciplinary procedures.
For all support related issues, please send all correspondence to support@IKONbusinessgroup.com or call our Help Desk at 646-472-1696.