Internet Policy

The Internet is a global computer network, which houses a wide range of information and communication services and allows for the exchange of information within the computer network.

The Authority recognises the Internet provides a valuable research material and platform to conduct business. It therefore provides an important link with communities and assists people to gain access to services, which otherwise would prove difficult.

It is in this context that the Authority supports the use of the Internet by staff as a professional "tool".

2. Purpose

This policy seeks to ensure that users of the Internet have a clear understanding and an awareness of the minimum controls and acceptable code of conduct, including the inherent risks in maintaining service integrity.

3. Policy

The Authority permits and encourages its staff to access and use the Internet:

to carry out their duties;

to contribute to the achievement of the Authority’s objectives;

for initiating and furthering professional contacts; and

for staff development during business hours and in personal time.

This policy supports and extends to the:

Networked Personal Computers Policy and Standards; and

E-mail Policy and Standards;

which have all been endorsed by the Executive Management Committee (EMC).

4. Objective

This policy seeks to ensure that the Authority’s data and interests are adequately protected against threats associated with the use of the Internet by:

outlining the conditions under which the Authority permits and encourages its personnel to use the Internet facilities; and

ensuring that the Internet is used appropriately and is compliant with the security standards that protect data, including confidentiality, integrity and availability.

5. Scope

The guidelines provided by this policy are the responsibility of all staff, contractors and users of Internet services in the Authority.

6. Standards of Use

All users are required to comply with this policy and in so doing will respect the privacy of the individual person-to-person communication. The following sets out and identifies the essential principles in usage of the Authority’s Internet services.

6.1 Conduct

All users of the Authority’s Internet connection must use their access in a responsible and professional manner. The use of the Internet in no way alters user responsibilities with respect to confidentiality of government information, public statements, expressions of opinion, and so on.

The Internet is a shared resource, users must be considerate of others, both within and outside the Authority. Using the Internet in a manner that may cause offence or bring the Authority into disrepute is prohibited and may result in disciplinary proceedings under the Public Sector Management Act. Likewise, deliberate circumvention of the principles of this policy may lead to disciplinary action. The Divisional/Branch Head will be responsible for investigating ad hoc reports which indicate potential inappropriate use.

6.2 Unacceptable Use

Access to, and use of, the Authority’s Internet connection by staff for illegal, obscene or other inappropriate activities, or in support of such activities, is forbidden.

"Inappropriate activity" includes any activity which:

interferes with the intended use of Internet resources;

seeks to gain or gains unauthorised access to Internet resources;

uses or knowingly uses another to use any computer, computer network, computer system, program or software to devise or execute any artifice or scheme to defraud or to obtain money, property, services, or other things of value by false pretences, promises, or representations;

without authorisation destroys, alters, dismantles, disfigures, prevents rightful access to or otherwise interferes with the integrity of computer-based information and/or information resources;

without authorisation invades the privacy of individuals or entities that are creators, authors, users, or subjects of the information resources;

transmits or causes to be transmitted communication that may be construed as harassment or disparagement of others based on the criteria of the anti-discrimination legislation and departmental policy;

violates any laws pertaining to the unauthorised use of computing resources or networks;

violates any other State, Commonwealth or International laws;

conducts a business or activity for commercial purposes or financial gain, including publishing material which contains any advertising or any solicitation of other network users or discussion group or list members to use goods or services;

publishes on or over the network any information which violates or infringes upon the rights of any other person or group, including material of an abusive nature;

accesses or publishes on or over the network any information of an obscene or profane nature, or material likely to be sexually offensive to an average person or contrary to the generally accepted social standards for the use of a government facility;

conducts political lobbying;

harasses another person;

seeks or gains unauthorised access to any resource or entity;

vandalises the data of another user;

posts to a discussion group or other public forum personal communications without the author’s consent;

has the potential to disrupt, interfere or otherwise obstruct the work of other people by consuming large amounts of system resources including disk space, processor time and network bandwidth. Examples of activities likely to cause congestion include the sending of chain letters or the broadcast of messages to lists or individuals.

degrades or disrupts equipment or system performance;

misrepresents him/herself or the Authority; or

attempts to read another person’s E-mail or protected files.

A. Copyright

Users should be aware of their obligations under the Copyright Act, 1968 (Cth) in relation to the sale, hire, copying or distributing of unlicensed software. Copyright laws (including Federal and International) should always be complied with.

6.3 Personal Use

Personal use of the Internet is permitted in personal time as it provides staff with an opportunity to practise Internet skills and explore Internet resources. As a whole, the Authority benefits by the development of these skills and the knowledge and experience staff gained from such usage.

All personal use of Authority’s Internet connection must:

not deny nor disrupt access to resources required by other staff in the performance of their duties;

adopt a commonsense approach, which will not interfere with long-term or high volume processing; and

when E-mailing or posting a personal message on the Internet, via the Authority’s connection, be accompanied by a disclaimer that disassociates the content from the Authority, the Courts and the South Australian Government.

7. Procedures

7.1 Method of Access

Requests for access to Internet research tools must be made in writing through the Divisional/Branch Head or nominee. Where temporary access is required, an end date must be identified. User Support Services will be responsible for granting access, once approval is given.

Where a staff member with access to the Internet is assigned to a different position, continuing access will be subject to further approval by the staff member’s new Divisional/Branch Head.

7.2 Training

Where possible, all staff to undertake appropriate training prior to being given access.

7.3 Security

Tools provided to access the Internet will be configured to ensure that there is no adverse impact on network security and performance of the Authority’s wide area network. Disclosure of any identification information about the Authority’s network is prohibited.

Security of the Internet is inherently weak. Its design allows for an "open" network for free exchange of information with data confidentiality and integrity not to be relied on.

Users should take all reasonable care when downloading, accessing or executing files on or from the Internet services. The consequences of introducing viruses or any other harmful software through the Internet environment may be serious and of great expense to the Authority.

ISD Help Desk should be contacted immediately if there is any suspicion that a file, communication or information may contain a virus.

7.4 Integrity

The content of information accessed or received over the Internet, as well as its origin or sender, should be regarded as transitional and unconfirmed, unless it is authenticated by the use of digital signatures (also known as message "signing"). Without digital authentication such information must not be used in support of a significant action or decision until authenticated via a more secure means of communication (eg, telephone).

This Policy is endorsed by the undersigned on _____ / _____ / _____

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STATE COURTS ADMINISTRATOR

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CHAIR, SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE