Monitoring
To further protect its interests and comply with legal requirements, the County Council will monitor the use of email, Internet and Intranet communications and will filter and intercept data generally having particular regard to the following priorities:
To ensure that the security of the County Council’s computer hardware, software, networks or systems are not compromised;
To prevent or detect crime or unauthorised use of the County Councils computer hardware, software, networks or systems;
To gain access to communications where necessary when a user is absent from work:
The County Council respects the right of individuals to privacy of communications. At the same time it has a duty to protect the interests of itself and others against unlawful use of its computer facilities. To balance these needs, the reading of intercepted personal and private communications will not normally take place unless grounds exist to show evidence of some crime or other unlawful or unauthorised use.
The reading of personal and private communications will normally only take place with the approval of the Director of Human Resources, or designated representative, in conjunction with the Head of IT and relevant Senior Manager (or Headteacher/Chair of Governors in the case of schools-based employees) or with the approval of the Chief Internal Auditor and/or Monitoring Officer. Such reading will only be authorised following an assessment to determine what, if any, reading is justified.
The County Council may process computer and network related personal data for the purposes of administration and security management.
Sanctions
Where an employee wilfully fails to comply with the computer conditions of use and guidelines, and relevant schools policy in the case of school-based employees, it will normally be considered a disciplinary offence which may lead to dismissal.
Where a Member of the County Council fails to comply with the guidelines it will be reported to the Standards Committee who will make whatever decision it sees fit.
Where any other user fails to comply with the guidelines they may have their permission for future use withdrawn.
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