Sheriff's Policy Manual - Internet Use Policy PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 15.4 INTERNET: A. Internet use is a privilege, not a right. Employees do not have personal privacy rights for any information viewed or received via Internet. BSO will monitor Internet usage. All Internet communications and records cr...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 15.4 INTERNET: A. Internet use is a privilege, not a right. Employees do not have personal privacy rights for any information viewed or received via Internet. BSO will monitor Internet usage. All Internet communications and records created by Internet use including path records will be subject to an inspection, audit, and publication by BSO at any time as BSO deems necessary with or without notice. B. The Internet is an unsecured network; therefore, employees will not use the Internet in any manner that would reflect negatively upon BSO. C. Rare or incidental personal use of the Internet will be permitted provided such use does not interfere with BSO resources, does not interfere with the employee's job, does not incur costs for BSO, and otherwise complies with BSO policies. Further limits may be imposed upon personal use of the Internet by each department/division and/or employee's supervisor. D. All Internet communications made or received via Internet may be subject to public records laws. E. Internet use may be revoked at any time, for any reason. F. Employees using the Internet will be prohibited from the following: 1. Using the Internet in any manner that is inconsistent with BSO policies and procedures (particularly Chapter 2, Standards of Conduct). 2. Using the Internet in any manner that would diminish BSO's image. 3. Creating or accessing sex, sex-related, gambling, and/or gambling-related sites and transmitting such material. 4. Downloading or uploading unlawful information on the Internet unless pursuant to job duties and with supervisor approval. 5. Using the Internet in any manner that violates local, state, federal, or international law. 6. Downloading software, shareware, or browsers unless approved by the Information Technology Division. 15.4 09/27/2012  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 7. Broadcasting unsolicited messages to other mailboxes or news groups without prior supervisor approval. 8. Posting information to chat rooms, bulletin boards, or newsgroups unless pursuant to job duties and with supervisor approval or approved by the Information Technology Division. 9. Using the Internet in any manner that would result in a cost to BSO, unless for official BSO business and approved by the employee's supervisor. 10. Using the Internet for personal monetary gain or advancement of individual views on issues outside the scope of the employee's job responsibilities. 11. Creating a web page displaying the BSO logo or otherwise representing it as an official BSO site without obtaining prior approval from the Department of Community Services Director or designee. 12. Attempting to impersonate any person by using forged headers or other identifying information. 13. Infringing upon any copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, or other proprietary rights of any third party including, but not limited to unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials; digitization and distribution of photographs from magazines, books, or other copyrighted sources; and unauthorized transmittal of copyrighted software. 14. Transmitting, downloading, or uploading materials containing messages with derogatory or inflammatory remarks about an individual or group's race, color, religion, national origin, age, physical attributes, or sexual preference. 15. Transmitting, downloading, or uploading threatening, obscene, harassing messages; obscene or offensive language; materials negatively reflecting on BSO; or obscene or offensive jokes. 16. Using the Internet facilities to intentionally disable, impair, or overload the performance of any computer system or network, or circumvent any system intended to protect the privacy or security of another user. 15.4 09/27/2012  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 17. Using the Internet to disrupt the BSO network or network of others. 18. Augmenting web browser software (or any employee provided software package) with externally generated programs or add-ons that could potentially introduce viruses to BSO's computer environment. G. Employees will close web browser software and disconnect from the Internet when not actively engaged in Web research; thereby reducing the usage of BSO's Internet connection. H. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against employees violating this policy. Such action may include, but is not limited to revocation of Internet privileges, termination, and/or criminal prosecution. 15.4 09/27/2012  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL THIS PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK 15.4 09/27/2012