INTRODUCTION

1 Personal Responsibility

By accepting your username/account ID and password, related information, and accessing the ACK’s network or Internet system, you agree to adhere to this policy. You also agree to report any network or Internet misuse to one of the contacts listed in this document. Misuse includes policy violations that harm another person or another individual’s property.

2 Terms of Permitted Use

Network and Internet access extends throughout the term of your employment provided you do not violate ACK “Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy”. Note that ACK may suspend access at any time for technical reasons, policy violations, or other concerns.

3 Purpose and Use

ACK offers access to its network and Internet system for business and educational purposes only. If you are unsure whether an activity constitutes appropriate use, consult with the IT or Support Services Departments.

4 Netiquette Rules

Employees must adhere to the rules of network etiquette, or Netiquette. In other words, you must be polite, adhere to ACK’s electronic writing and content guidelines, and use the network and Internet appropriately and legally. ACK will determine what materials, files, information, software, communications, and other content and activity are permitted or prohibited, as outlined below.

5 Banned Activity

The following activities violate this Policy:

• Using, transmitting, receiving, or seeking inappropriate, offensive, vulgar, suggestive, obscene, abusive, harassing, belligerent, threatening, defamatory (harming another person’s reputation by lies), or misleading language or materials.
• Revealing personal information, such as the home address, telephone number, or financial data of another person or yourself.
• Making ethnic, sexual-preference, or gender-related slurs or jokes.
• Engaging in illegal activities, violating the “Employee Handbook”, or encouraging others to do so. Examples:
  • Selling or providing substances prohibited by ACK’s employment policy or the Employee Handbook.
  • Accessing, transmitting, receiving, or seeking unauthorized, confidential information about clients or colleagues.
  • Conducting unauthorized business.
  • Viewing, transmitting, downloading, or searching for obscene, pornographic, or illegal materials.
  • Accessing others’ folders, files, work, networks, or computers.
  • Intercepting communications intended for others.
  • Downloading or transmitting ACK’s confidential information or trade secrets.
• Causing harm or damaging others’ property. Examples:
  • Downloading or transmitting copyrighted materials without permission from the copyright holder. Even when materials on the network or the Internet are not marked with the copyright symbol ©, employees should assume all materials are protected under copyright laws––unless explicit permission to use the materials is granted.
  • Using another employee’s password to trick recipients into believing someone other than you is communicating or accessing the network or Internet.
  • Uploading a virus, harmful component, or corrupted data. Vandalizing the network.
  • Using software that is not licensed or approved by ACK.
• Jeopardizing the security of access, the network, or other Internet networks by disclosing or sharing passwords and/or impersonating others.
• Employees must avoid accessing or attempting to access controversial or offensive materials. Network and Internet access may expose employees to illegal, defamatory, inaccurate, or offensive materials.
• Engaging in commercial activity. Employees may not sell or buy anything over the Internet. Employees may not solicit or advertise the sale of any goods or services. Employees may not divulge private information –– including credit card numbers and other financial data — about themselves or others.
• Wasting ACK’s computer resources. Specifically, do not waste printer toner or paper. Do not send electronic chain letters. Do not send email copies to nonessential readers. Do not send email to group lists unless it is appropriate for everyone on a list to receive the email. Do not send organization-wide emails without explicit permission.
• Encouraging associates to view, download, or search for materials, files, information, software, or other offensive, defamatory, misleading, infringing, or illegal content.

6 Confidential Information

Employees may have access to confidential information about ACK, our employees or students, and clients. With the approval of management, employees may use email to communicate confidential information internally to those with a need to know. Such email must be marked "Confidential." When in doubt, do not use email to communicate confidential material. When a matter is personal, it may be more appropriate to send a hard copy, place a phone call, or meet in person.

7 Privacy

Network and Internet access is provided as a tool for ACK’s business. ACK has the legal right to monitor usage of the Network and the Internet, using the least intrusive method available. When monitoring is deemed necessary, employees will be notified of management’s decision to monitor, and will be provided with details of what is being monitored, why and how.

8 Non-compliance

Your use of the network and the Internet is a privilege, not a right. Violate this policy and, at minimum, your access to the network and the Internet will be terminated, perhaps for the duration of your tenure with ACK. Policy breaches include violating the above provisions, and failing to report violations by other users. Permitting another person to use your account or password to access the network or the Internet––including but not limited to someone whose access has been denied or terminated— is a violation of this policy. Should another user violate this policy while using your account, you will be held responsible, and both of you will be subject to disciplinary action.

9 ACK Rights and Responsibilities

As owner of the computers and networks that comprise ACK technical infrastructure, ACK owns all official administrative data that resides on its systems and networks, and is responsible for taking necessary measures to ensure the security of its systems, data, and user's accounts. ACK does not seek out personal misuse. However, when it becomes aware of violations, either through routine system administration activities or from a complaint, it is ACK responsibility to investigate as needed or directed, and to take necessary actions to protect its resources and/or to provide information relevant to an investigation.

10 Policy Review

ACK senior management will review this policy as needed. Any questions about the policy should be directed to the IT Manager or Support Services Director.