Tauira ICT Acceptable Usage Policy

Overview

Student are required to abide by rules & policies of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa as per section 7 of the TWOA enrolment form and to comply with the reasonable requirements of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.

All Student who are granted access to TWOA ICT must read and abide by the terms and conditions of this Student ICT Acceptable Use Policy as a reasonable requirement. Student ICT usage must always be consistent with Te Wānanga o Aotearoa’s statutory obligation to maintain the highest ethical standards.

1. Definitions

In this document the following definitions apply;

AUP

“AUP” means this document, the Acceptable Usage Policy.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

"ICT" means all information and communications technology, hardware and software, data and associated methodologies, infrastructure and devices that are:

a) controlled or operated by the Wananga:

b) connected to the Wananga network:

c) used at or for Wananga activities:

d) brought onto a Wananga site.

ICT includes but is not limited to; computers (such as desktops, laptops, PDAs), computer systems, storage devices (such as USB and flash memory devices, CDs, DVDs, floppy disks, iPods, MP3 players), cameras (such as video, digital, webcams), all types of mobile phones, video and audio players/receivers (such as portable CD and DVD players), telecommunication equipment, networks, databases and any other similar technologies as they come into use.

User

"User" means anyone who operates or interfaces with ICT. It includes Wananga staff, students (whether permanent, temporary or part-time), honorary staff, contractors, sub-contractors, consultants, business partners or official visitors or any other member of the Wananga.

IT Department

"IT Department" refers to duly authorized members of the TWOA Information Technology department, including but not limited to Helpdesk (Te Ringa), Server & Networks, Infrastructure, and Student Helpdesk.

2. Acceptable Usage

TWOA provides computer & internet access for educational purposes, particularly teaching and research, as well as for reasonable personal use which is acceptable to the Wananga environment.

This means that the use of computers & internet must not be illegal and must be of the highest ethical standards (see S161, Education Act 1989). Further it means that usage must not include involvement with material unacceptable to the Wananga environment, acts of a malicious or nuisance nature, invasion of privacy, harassment, bullying, hacking, altering the settings on any computer without authorisation, plagiarism, impersonation/identity theft, spoofing, gambling, or cheating in an examination. Behaviour the Wananga may need to respond to also includes the use of websites to facilitate misconduct. Any exception under this policy to permit course content or work involving material which, in other circumstances could be deemed unacceptable to the TWOA environment, must be obtained in writing from the IT department in advance.

Illegal as used in this clause could include involvement with material defined as “objectionable” in the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993 such as material describing or depicting child sexual abuse, extreme violence or extreme cruelty; or involves communicating material that is knowingly deceptive or misleading; or involvement with an activity such as fraud, defamation, or copyright breach.

3. Security Measures

Users are responsible for any use of their computer account; for example if an individual user name is shared or the password divulged, the holder of the account may be held personally responsible for any actions that arise from the misuse of the account.

Users are responsible for keeping their password confidential. Users must not attempt to discover or change any other person's password.

Where possible, Users must select a password that conforms to the following minimum standard;

• Minimum of 7 Characters

• A minimum of 3 options below to be used within the new password

• English uppercase characters (A through Z)

• English lowercase characters (a through z)

• Numerals (0 through 9)

• Non-alphabetic characters (such as !, $, #, %)

Passwords issued to Student by the IT Department will generally be in the format of a uppercase character, followed by 4 or 5 lowercase characters then 1 or 2 numbers. For example “Abort23” or “Record6”, however the IT department recommend Student use more complex passwords where possible.

A common way to obtain an easy to remember but complex password is to choose a phrase, perhaps a line from a poem or song and form passwords by taking the letters from each word along with digits and/or punctuation. e.g. G@t3b (Goldilocks and the Three Bears), or M2m0mNmM (Mauri tū mauri ora, mauri noho mauri mate)

- Invent phrases like car registration plates e.g. H0tC4r!

Users should change their password at least once every 3 months, and immediately if they suspect it has been compromised.

4. Copyright

Copyright laws and licensing agreements must be observed. Activities such as illegally copying material in any format, copying software, downloading copyrighted video or audio files, using material accessed on the Internet in order to plagiarise, or illegally using unlicensed products are prohibited

5. Monitoring

The Wananga may monitor, access, and review all use of ICT assets. From time to time this information may be examined and analysed to help improve the safety and security of our network. The Wananga routinely monitors and inspects all Internet usage for AUP violations. The Wananga routinely uses remote control software to monitor Student computer usage. The Wananga does not routinely inspect email but does reserve the right to do so.

6. Policy Breaches

Where a breach of the Student ICT Acceptable Use Policy is established, but not referred to a law enforcement agency, one or more of the following penalties may be imposed on a person responsible for, or involved in the breach:

• Removal of Internet Access.

• Suspension of Computer Access.

• Termination of Computer Access.

• Monetary compensation for any improper use of, or damage to, TWOA ICT.

• Disciplinary sanctions, which may include suspension or expulsion of a student from a course of study.

The Wananga views misuse of ICT as a serious matter and may restrict access to its facilities as a result. Student are advised that if alternative facilities are unavailable or not feasible, it may not be possible for them to complete requirements for course work.

In the course of investigating a suspected breach of this policy, the Wananga may request permission to audit privately-owned equipment/device(s) where, on reasonable grounds, the Wananga believes such equipment/devices were involved in the alleged incident.

Involvement with material deemed ‘objectionable’ (illegal), under the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993, or any involvement in an activity which might constitute criminal misconduct, is a very serious matter which may necessitate the involvement of law enforcement in addition to any disciplinary response made by the Wananga as a result of its investigation. The Wananga may be obliged to report such activities to the relevant authorities.

7. Update Disclaimer

The IT Department, reserves the right to amend this policy at its discretion. In case of amendments, users will be informed appropriately.