Acceptable Use Policy
De La Salle Santiago Zobel
Introduction
This is the De La Salle Santiago Zobel policy for the management of computer data networks and the resources they provide, as well as stand-alone computers owned and administered by De La Salle Santiago Zobel School. This was based on the acceptable use policy of the De La Salle University System. The policy reflects the ethical principles of the Lasallian community and indicates what privileges and responsibilities are characteristic of the campus I.T. environment. Because some networks may operate in environments in which specific items in this policy do not apply, system administrators are free to create policies that are at variance to this one, as long as the principles related to legal use and System mission are preserved. In such cases, it is the responsibility of the system administrators to make relevant variances known to their users.
Definitions
1. System: The De La Salle University System network (DLSUnet) is a connection of networks of the member institutions of the De La Salle University System (referred here as System) and affiliated institutions.
2. Network member: A System member or affiliated institution connected to DLSUnet
3. Zobel-Net: Referred here as a network member.
4. I.T.Center: The DLSZ Information Technology Center (ITC) is responsible for the connection of the Zobel-Net to the DLSUnet and to the Internet.
5. System Administrator: A system administrator is a person or group who has system privileges and is responsible for the operation and security of one or more networked computing resources as determined by the network member.
6. User: A user is a person who is given exclusive access by the network member to an account on a computer system of the network member. When the phrase "your account" is used, this pertains to the account described above. The network member owns all accounts on its computer systems. A user should only use his/her account primarily for school business.
7. Password: A password is an access code, preferably a combination of letters and numbers. Each user is responsible for using a good password. A poor password is one that is found in the dictionary or one that is easily related to the user (e.g., name, nickname, birthday, address, favorite food, and the like). A user must not write his/her password on a sheet of paper, notebook, electronic organizer, and the like.
Purposes
The purpose of Zobel-Net is to contribute to the realization of the school’s goals and for the access to the Internet to contribute to education, research and the development of the community.
Acceptable Use
This represents a guide to the acceptable use of Zobel-Net. Any user, in order to use the network must comply with this policy and the stated purposes and the Acceptable Use Policies of the DLSUnet.
The school expects the users to:
1. Respect the privacy of other users
1.1. For example, users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords belonging to other users, or represent themselves as another user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user.
2. Respect the legal protection provided by copyright and license to programs and data.
3. To respect the integrity of computing systems.
3.1. For example, users shall not intentionally develop programs that harass other users; gain unauthorized access to a computer or computing system; send fraudulent aliases/messages via electronic mail, newsgroups, or any Internet service; and/or damage or alter the software components of a computer or computing system.
The following policies and guidelines will be applied to determine whether or not the use of Zobel-Net is appropriate. This policy is to make clear certain uses that are consistent with the purposes of Zobel-Net, and not to thoroughly list all such possible uses. The school administration may at any time establish that a particular use is or is not consistent with the purposes of Zobel-Net.
1. Computing resource users are encouraged to practice cooperative computing.
1.1. Regular deletion of unneeded files from one's accounts on shared computing resources. This includes deletion of read email and email attachments from the mail server.
1.2. Refraining from overuse of connect time, information storage space, printing facilities, or processing capacity
1.2.1. To conserve resources, email storage space shall have a predefined limit. Any user exceeding the limit will be sent a reminder to delete his/her email. The system administrator reserves the right to delete messages deemed unnecessary (i.e. junk mail/spam, old (dated more than a year ago) unread/unopened messages, messages with viruses). Users must refrain from sending out messages with very large attachments or to a large number of recipients.
1.2.2. To save on toner, ink and printer ribbons, set the printers to draft mode. Use letter-quality modes only on external communication and (final) formal documents. Use color ink only when absolutely necessary.
1.3. Refraining from overuse of interactive network utilities
1.4. Refraining from use of sounds and visuals which might be disruptive to others
1.5. Use of any computing resource in an responsible manner
1.6. Refraining from unauthorized use of departmental or individual computing resources, such as a printer.
2. Malicious use is not acceptable. Use should be consistent with the ethical standards accepted by the Zobel community. Zobel-Net may not be used in ways that violate applicable laws or regulations. Use of Zobel-Net and any attached network in a manner that precludes or significantly hampers its use by others is not allowed. Examples of unacceptable use include, but are not limited to, the following:
2.1. Accessing or attempting to access the password of an account that does not belong to you
2.2. Harassment of other users
2.3. Libeling or slandering other users
2.4. Destruction of or damage to equipment, software, or data belonging to the school or other users
2.5. Disruption or unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications
2.6. Unauthorized copying of copyright-protected material.
2.7. Violation of computer system security
2.8. Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes, or network identification numbers assigned to others
2.9. Use of Zobel-Net to send information repeatedly (e.g., sending unofficial and unsolicited email to several users)
2.9.1. Use of Zobel-Net to send or attempt to send information forming a chain, pyramid, or similar scheme.
2.10. Use of computer communications facilities in ways that unnecessarily impede the computing activities of others (such as excessively initiating interactive electronic communications or e-mail exchanges, overuse of interactive network utilities, and so forth)
2.11. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, et al)
2.12. Violation of software license agreements
2.13. Violation of another user's privacy
3. Connections that create routing patterns that are inconsistent with the effective and shared use of the network may not be established.
4. Unsolicited advertising is not acceptable. Advertising is permitted on some mailing lists and news groups if the mailing list or news group explicitly allows advertising. Official announcements of services to the Zobel community are acceptable.
5. The use of school computing resources for commercial purposes is permitted only by special arrangement with the appropriate school administrator or as defined in existing school policies.
5.1. Use of the network for other services is not acceptable if such use places a heavy load on scarce resources (e.g. Internet bandwidth).
Security
The school assumes that users are aware that electronic files are not necessarily secure. Users will be informed of methods available for protecting information on Zobel-Net from loss, tampering, unauthorized search, or other access. Levels of security will vary depending on the computer system. Information on procedures appropriate to each resource will be available from the I.T. Center.
Confidentiality
All information stored on campus computers/systems are the property of the school. However, in general, the school will treat such information as confidential (whether or not that information is protected by the computer operating system). Requests for disclosure of information will be honored only under one of the following conditions:
1. when approved by the appropriate administrator or head of the department involved;
2. when authorized by the owners of the information;
3. when required by the Philippine law.
Except when inappropriate, computer users will receive prior notice of such disclosures. (Viewing of information in the course of normal system maintenance does not constitute disclosure.)
Users of electronic mail systems should be aware that electronic mail in its present form cannot be completely secured and is, therefore, extremely vulnerable to unauthorized access and modification. Users must take caution in sending information via Zobel-Net and Internet.
Responsibility of Users
The user is responsible for correct and sufficient use of the tools available for maintaining the security of information stored on each computer system. The following precautions are strongly recommended:
1. Computer accounts, passwords and other types of authorization that are assigned to individual users should not be shared with others.
2. The user should assign an obscure account password and change it frequently.
3. The user should understand the level of protection each computer system automatically applies to files and supplement it, if necessary, for sensitive information.
4. The user should be aware of computer viruses and other destructive computer programs, and take steps to avoid being a victim or unwitting distributor of these processes.
Remedial Actions
When the ITC learns of possible inappropriate use, ITC staff will notify the user responsible. The user must take immediate remedial action and inform the ITC of its action. In an emergency, in order to prevent further possible unauthorized activity, ITC may temporarily disconnect that user from Zobel-Net. If this is deemed necessary by ITC staff, every effort will be made to inform the member prior to disconnection, and every effort will be made to re-establish the connection as soon as it is mutually deemed safe.
Violators of this policy will be subject to the normal disciplinary procedures of the school and, in addition, the loss of computing privileges may result. Violations of the policies described above for legal and ethical use of Zobel-Net will be dealt with in a serious and appropriate manner. Illegal acts involving Zobel-Net may also be subject to prosecution by the proper authorities.
Any determination of non-acceptable usage serious enough to require disconnection shall be promptly communicated to every representative of the DLSUnet member through an established means of publication.
Disclaimer
As part of the services available through Zobel-Net, the school provides access to a large number of conferences, lists, bulletin boards, and information servers through the Internet. Some of these may contain objectionable material. For those facilities for which the school has control, the policies described here apply.
The school takes no responsibility for the content of those entities over which it has no control. Please be aware of the potentially offensive material found in those archives and use the system with the recognition that the school neither assumes responsibility for, nor endorses, any of the content found therein.
Use of This Document
This document may be used or copied without alteration for information dissemination. It may also be copied or modified to formulate an acceptable use policy for another institution.