ARC Internet Acceptable Use Policy

ARC Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Australian Research Council

Contents

Document Purpose 4

Use of ARC systems 4

Standards of conduct 4

Privacy 5

Cost of access 5

Obtaining information from the internet 5

Contributions to newsgroups and other public forums 5

Australian Research Council Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Document Purpose

The purpose of this document is to define the ARC Internet Acceptable Use policy including access by ARC staff, guests and eduroam authenticated users.

Use of ARC systems

The ARC provides a workspace and appropriate equipment and systems for staff to conduct legitimate ARC business. The use of these systems is subject to APS standards of conduct and accountability.

As a guide to staff and supervisors, official equipment may be used for a limited range of personal activities including charitable activities, web browsing (subject to standards of conduct below), contact with professional colleagues, medical practitioners, schools, banks or child care facilities.

Private use of official equipment is permitted subject to the following constraints:

·  it is in a user's own time;

·  it is subject to resource constraints;

·  it is at the discretion of the supervisor: and

·  it does not contravene the ARC Information Technology Security Policy.

Under no circumstances may ARC equipment be used for political purposes or industrial campaigns. ARC officials of Unions and Professional Associations may use ARC systems to consult with members and circulate relevant industrial material to members. Soliciting for charitable causes using ARC equipment is permitted only with official permission from the Chief Executive Officer.

Staff should be aware that all ARC Systems and the information and data on ARC Systems is the property of the Commonwealth and that internet and email usage may be monitored.

Standards of conduct

Use of email and the internet should be considered part of the ARC's normal supervisory arrangements. Access to email and the internet may be withdrawn and appropriate action taken if an officer is found to have abused the access. Conduct which may result in action being taken includes:

·  seeking to gain unauthorised access to computing resources of other organisations;

·  browsing any site that contains pornographic, racist or any other inappropriate material;

·  participating in on-line gambling or any illegal activity;

·  copying, distributing or using pirated software, music or DVDs;

·  downloading pornographic, racist or any other inappropriate or illegal material;

·  placing unlawful information on a system;

·  using abusive, racist, defamatory or otherwise unacceptable language in messages;

·  destroying or attempting to destroy the integrity of computer-based information;

·  disrupting the intended use of the internet;

·  downloading streaming video or audio material or any other material that requires large amounts of bandwidth such as motion picture trailers, music videos or animated cartoons;

·  wasting resources (people, time, computer capacity);

·  compromising the privacy of any person; or

·  expressing personal views under the ARC signature.

Staff may be subject to disciplinary or criminal charges for improper use of ARC equipment. Further details are available in the ARC Information Technology Security Policy.

Privacy

The ARC respects and upholds the rights of staff to go about their daily work without undue hindrance, intrusion or harassment. When staff comply with ARC and APS guidelines, codes of conduct and the law, the right to individual privacy will be respected.

Where there is evidence that these have not been complied with the ARC may obtain any relevant information from ARC systems to pursue legitimate avenues of inquiry and/or to assist the relevant authorities.

Cost of access

The ARC pays for access to the internet. Any cost associated with inappropriate access by an officer may be recovered from that officer in addition to other penalties that may be applied.

Obtaining information from the internet

Information can be obtained through a range of internet services including the World Wide Web and various newsgroups. Careful and thorough research is encouraged, but it is important to ensure that large amounts of time are not wasted in researching a trivial point or in obtaining information which is readily available from another source. Officers should also bear in mind that information available on the internet is not always complete and accurate or from a reputable source.

Contributions to newsgroups and other public forums

It is important to remember that any information posted to the internet via a newsgroup or email by an ARC officer is not official comment unless it is formally cleared. Staff should not comment on ARC policy in any on-line forum unless they have the appropriate authorisation or clearance.

Australian Research Council Internet Acceptable Use Policy