Full Text
City of Fernley Information Technology Policy Page 1 of 2 March 2006 Adapted from policy Prepared by INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Policy The City of Fernley requires employees to use information technology (computer systems, telecommunication and other devices, and electronic information) responsibly. Privacy Employees should not expect privacy with respect to any of their activities when using the City of Fernley’s computer and/or telecommunication property, systems, or services. Use of passwords or account numbers by employees does not create a reasonable expectation of privacy and confidentiality of information being maintained or transmitted. The City of Fernley reserves the right to review, retrieve, read, and disclose any files, messages, or communications that are created, sent, received, or stored on the City of Fernley’s computer systems and/or equipment. The City of Fernley’s right to review, also called monitoring, is for the purpose of ensuring the security and protection of business records, preventing unlawful and/or inappropriate conduct, and creating and maintaining a productive work environment. Use The computers, associated hardware and software, including electronic mail (e-mail) and access to on-line services (the Internet), as well as voice mail, pagers, and faxes, belong to the City of Fernley and, as such, are provided for business use. Very limited or incidental use by employees for personal, non-business purposes is acceptable as long as it is: • Conducted on personal time during designated breaks or meal periods); • Does not consume system resources or storage capacity; or • Does not involve any prohibited uses. Employees loading, importing, or downloading files from sources outside the City of Fernley’s system, including files from the Internet and any computer disk, must ensure the files and disks are scanned with the City of Fernley’s current virus detection software before installation and execution. Employees may use information technology, including the Internet, during work hours on job- related matters to: gather and disseminate information, maintain their currency in a field of knowledge, participate in professional associations, and communicate with colleagues in other organizations regarding business issues. An employee’s use of the City of Fernley’s computer systems, telecommunication equipment and systems, and other devices constitutes the employee’s acceptance of this policy and its requirements. Prohibited Use Prohibited use includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Sending, receiving, or storing messages that a “reasonable person” would consider to be offensive, disruptive, harassing, threatening, derogatory, defamatory, pornographic, indicative of illegal activity, or any that contain belittling comments, slurs, or images based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or national origin. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Fernley Information Technology Policy Page 2 of 2 March 2006 Adapted from policy Prepared by 2. Sending, receiving, or storing messages or images that would offend or harass on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, political belief, or disability. 3. Sending or storing chain letters. 4. Sending or storing union-related solicitations. 5. Engaging in political activities including, but not limited to, solicitation or fund raising. 6. Engaging in religious activities including, but not limited to, proselytizing or soliciting contributions. 7. Conducting outside employment in any manner. 8. Engaging in illegal, fraudulent, defamatory, or malicious conduct. 9. Downloading, uploading, or otherwise transmitting without authorization: • Confidential or proprietary information or material • Copyrighted material • Illegal information or material • Sexually explicit material 10. Obtaining unauthorized access to other systems. 11. Using another person’s password or account number without explicit authorization by the City of Fernley. 12. Improperly accessing, reading, copying, misappropriating, altering, misusing, or intentionally destroying the information/files of other users. 13. Loading unauthorized software or software not purchased or licensed by the City of Fernley. 14. Breaching or attempting to breach any security systems or otherwise maliciously tampering with any of the City of Fernley’s electronic systems including, but not limited to, introducing viruses. 15. Using the City of Fernley’s information technology for personal, non-business purposes in other than a very limited or incidental way. Violation of Policy Each employee is to complete and sign an acknowledgement form after receiving this policy. Improper or prohibited use of the City of Fernley’s property, systems, or services will result in discipline, up to and including termination. Related Documents Information Technology Policy Acknowledgement