Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Internet access will provide you with a wealth of ever growing resources and, when used correctly, can be a valuable tool. You will be able to research prospect clients and identify key information, enabling you to understand their needs and work in partnership with them, and gain that all important edge over the competition.

However the Internet can also be a source of information and data not relevant to the Company. Viruses and Spy-ware can be contained in various formats and can quite easily wipe out whole systems if downloaded.

You are expected to use the Internet in a responsible and conscientious manner, primarily for accessing material related to your job role.

Internet correspondence is not guaranteed to be private, as messages can be intercepted.

Use of the Internet is monitored by the Company for security and network management.

Misuse of the Internet by, for example, viewing or downloading ANY offensive material is strictly forbidden; it may result in dismissal and could also constitute a criminal offence.

Certain sites and materials are regarded as inappropriate by the Company including, but not limited to: pornography, jokes (which may be regarded as offensive); terrorism; cults; gambling; illegal drugs.

These guidelines are intended to help you make the best use of the Internet resources at your disposal.

You should understand the following:

The Organisation provides Internet access to staff to assist them in carrying out their duties for the Company. It is envisaged that it will be used to lookup details about suppliers, products, to access government information and other statutory information. It should not be used for personal reasons.
You may only access the Internet by using the Organisations content scanning, proxy software, firewall and router.
You may only access the Internet after you have been authorised to do so by your direct line manager.
The company reserve the right to remove internet access at any time. When using the Organisation's Internet access facilities you should comply with the following guidelines.

DO

Keep your use of the Internet to a minimum
Check that any information you access on the Internet is accurate, complete and current
Check the validity of the information found
Respect the legal protections to data and software provided by copyright and licences
Inform the I.T. Department immediately of any unusual occurrence

DO NOT

Download text or images which contain material of a pornographic, racist or extreme political nature, or which incites violence, hatred or any illegal activity
Download content from Internet sites unless it is work related
Download software (this includes but is not limited to, freeware, shareware, or Open Source software) from the Internet and install it upon the Organisation's computer equipment
Use the Organisation's computers to make unauthorised entry into any other computer or network
Disrupt or interfere with other computers or network users, services, or equipment. Intentional disruption of the operation of computer systems and networks is a crime under the Computer Misuse Act 1990
Represent yourself as another person
Use Internet access to transmit confidential, political, obscene, threatening, or harassing materials
Download ANYTHING not related to the Company e.g. software, games, screensavers
Use the internet for private or freelance business
Use the internet for Gambling
Use the internet for visiting pornographic sites
Use the internet for receiving pornographic information
Use the internet for conducting political activities
Use the internet for accessing or contributing to chat rooms

Please note the following:

All activity on the Internet is monitored and logged
All material viewed is scanned for viruses
All the content viewed is scanned for offensive material

If you are in any doubt about an issue affecting Internet Access you should consult the I.T. Department.

Any breach of the Organisations Internet Acceptable Use Policy may lead to disciplinary action.