Embc Internet Acceptable Use Policy
Introduction

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that users of the Services understand the way in which the internet to be provided using them is to be used. This Policy aims to ensure that the internet is used effectively for its intended purpose, without infringing legal requirements or creating unnecessary risk. User Organisations should read this policy alongside the other embc policies: the embc Network Acceptable Use Policy, embc Security Policy, embc Filtering Policy and embc Email Policy. User Organisations should implement their own Internet AUPs to ensure all adults and children understand the conditions under which the embc Network and the internet may be used within the institution.

 

Scope

The policy applies to:

  • All users and administrators of the Services.
  • On evidence provided by the embc-pl, a user may be disciplined by the organisation’s management or where appropriate, their employer. At the same time, if a user’s conduct and/or action(s) are illegal, the user may become personally criminally liable in some circumstances.

Policy statement

embc-pl encourages users to make effective use of the internet. Such use should always be lawful and appropriate. It should not compromise embc-pl’s information and computer systems nor have the potential to damage embc-pl’s reputation.

 

Use of Internet facilities

embc-pl expects all users to use the Internet responsibly and strictly according to the following conditions: For the purposes of this document, internet usage means any connection to the internet via web browsing, external email, news groups or messaging services or any other means.

 

Users shall not:

  • Visit internet or embc Network sites to make, post, download, upload or pass on, material, remarks, proposals or comments that contain or relate to:
    • pornography (including child abuse)
    • promoting discrimination of any kind
    • promoting racial or religious hatred
    • promoting illegal acts
    • promoting bullying
    • any other information which may be offensive to peers or colleagues

Embc-pl acknowledges that in certain planned curricular activities, access to otherwise deemed inappropriate sites may be beneficial for educational use (for example investigating racial issues). Any such access should be preplanned and recorded so that it can be justified if required at a later date.

Incidents which appear to involve deliberate access to web sites, newsgroups and online groups that contain the following material will be reported to the police:

  • images of child abuse (images of children, apparently under 16 years old involved in sexual activity or posed to be sexually provocative)
  • adult material that potentially breaches the Obscene Publications Act in the UK
  • criminally racist and anti-religious material
  • Violence and bomb making
  • Illegal taking or promotion of drugs
  • Software piracy
  • other criminal activity

If inappropriate material is accessed accidentally, users should immediately report this to embc-pl directly or users organization so that this can be taken into account in monitoring.

 

In addition, users may not:

  • Use the embc-pl facilities for running a private business
  • Enter into any personal transaction that involves embc-pl or Local Authorities in any way
  • Visit sites that might be defamatory or incur liability on the part of embc-pl or Local Authorities or adversely impact on the image of embc-pl
  • Upload, download, or otherwise transmit (make, produce or distribute) commercial software or any copyrighted materials belonging to third parties outside of embc-pl, or to embc-pl itself
  • Reveal or publicise confidential or proprietary information, which includes but is not limited to:
    • financial information, personal information, databases and the information contained therein, computer/network access codes, and business relationships
  • Intentionally interfere with the normal operation of the Internet connection, including the propagation of computer viruses and sustained high volume network traffic (sending or receiving of large files or sending and receiving of large numbers of small files or any activity that causes network congestion) that substantially hinders others in their use of the Internet
  • Use the Internet for soliciting, representing personal opinions or revealing confidential information or in any other way that could reasonably be considered inappropriate

Monitoring

The first responsibility for monitoring the use of online technologies lies with the User Organisation.  The User Organisation must ensure that it has in place its own (ICT or similar designation) AUPs that detail to all users the monitoring arrangements in their establishment. These should include both physical observation (supervision of use by staff, where appropriate) and local technical monitoring. 

Embc-pl monitors and logs the use of the embc Network and the internet over the embc Network. Any identified potential misuse will be reported to the Local Authority, the connected establishment concerned and other relevant authorities.

 

Reporting Abuse:

Each institution’s AUP must clearly identify to all users the procedures within their own establishments for reporting abuse, including securing and preserving evidence. The procedures in these policies should distinguish local incidents that are resolved within the establishment, and those that need to be escalated to other authorities, e.g. Local Authority, embc-pl or other relevant authority. Information is available in the Becta document ‘E-Safety: developing whole-school policies to support effective practice’.

If a User Organisation suspects or believes that the Internet or the embc  Network is being used in a way that breaches either the embc Network AUP or the embc Internet AUP, this should be reported to the embc Service Desk, and or the appropriate LA service desk, which will initiate  the appropriate embc action.   Appendix 1 illustrates the embc reporting process.

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