Policy Details
| Policy Number: |
Creation Date/Revisions: |
Effective Date: |
| OCTO0001 |
12.15.03 Rev 2.0 |
07.15.99 |
Purpose
This policy establishes standards for the proper use of DC government-provided Internet services.
Scope
This policy applies to:
- All Internet systems and services provided or owned by the DC Government.
- All users of DC Government Internet services, including:
- Full and part-time employees
- Contractors authorized to use DC Government-owned equipment or network resources
- Volunteers who have been provided with Internet service and
- All other users of DC Government information technology resources.
Policy Details
Introduction
Internet access is a highly efficient research and communications tool that is provided by the DC Government to its employees, contractors, and volunteers to assist them in supporting DC government functions and conducting the government's business within its own organization, with government and private business partners, and with the public. Appropriate use of DC Government Internet access can enhance the efficiency and quality of government services, but inappropriate use can conflict with DC government policies and compromise availability of the system for all. This policy defines requirements and prohibitions for appropriate use of DC government Internet access.
Principles
- Use of DC government Internet access constitutes consent to abide by all elements of this policy, including such monitoring of Internet use as may be necessary and appropriate to effect DC Government policies concerning the use of the Internet access system and in aid of law-enforcement and auditing activities of federal and District of Columbia government agencies.
- DC Government Internet access and all related services are "DC Government facilities" as that term is used in other policies and guidelines. These systems and services are the property of the District of Columbia and under management control of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer.
- All DC government policies relating to intellectual property protection, privacy, misuse of government resources, sexual harassment, data security, and confidentiality apply to use of DC Government Internet access by persons and entities described under "Scope," above.
Allowable Uses
- Research, communication and information exchange directly related to the mission, charter, or work tasks of a DC government agency
- Research, communication and information exchange for professional development, to maintain currency of training or education, or to discuss issues related to the Internet user's DC government activities
- Administration or applications for contracts or grants for DC government programs or research
- Advisory capacity, standards, research, analysis, and professional society activities related to the user's governmental work tasks and duties
- Announcement of DC government laws, procedures, policies, rules, services, programs, information, or activities
- Other governmental communications not requiring a high level of security
- Incidental personal purposes, provided that such use does not:
- Directly or indirectly interfere with the DC Government operation of computing facilities or electronic mail services
- Burden the DC Government with noticeable incremental cost
- Interfere with the Internet user's employment or other obligations to the DC Government
Prohibited Uses
- Any purpose that violates a federal or DC government law, code or policy, standard or procedure
- The advertising or other promotion of any private business enterprise or activity
- Access to and/or distribution of:
- Pornography
- Fraudulent information
- Harassing material
- Racially discriminatory, disparaging, or harassing information
- Hate-related information or opinions
- Any activity with religious or political purposes outside the scope of the user's assigned and authorized governmental duties
- Any unauthorized purchase
- Disruption obstruction, or burden of network resources
- The intentional or negligent introduction of computer viruses into any DC Government systems; agencies must prevent the introduction of computer viruses into DC government systems and must install virus-scanning software to check any software downloaded as email attachments.
Sanctions
Violations of District Internet policy will result in:
- Upon notice to the violator, disabling of his/her Internet access for a period of time consistent with the seriousness of the violation, unless a written request for reinstatement is submitted by the agency Director/designate to the OCTO Director of IT Security
- Where a user's account is found to be broadcasting a virus or otherwise placing the DC Government system in jeopardy, disabling the account without notice to the violator, with reinstatement as described above
- Other corrective action in the discretion of the violator's agency Director
Statutory Authority
DC Official Code § 1-1403.
Exemptions
There are no exemptions from this policy.
Roles and Responsibilities
All DC Government Internet Users must use DC government Internet services only for the Allowable Uses defined above and must refrain from any of the Prohibited Uses defined above.
DC Government Agencies
- Each agency is responsible for its employees,' and contractors,' and volunteers' compliance with this policy and is expected to familiarize each user with this policy.
- Agencies are responsible for the investigation of alleged or suspected violations of this policy, and the referral of violations to OCTO for suspension of service to users.
OCTO
OCTO is responsible for monitoring Internet use by DC employees at any time to determine compliance with this and related policies. OCTO maintains content filtering software that blocks access to specific external Internet sites. External sites that are subject to blocking include those whose use by DC government employees is:
- Likely prohibited by, or inconsistent with, federal and District laws and regulations concerning discrimination, sexual harassment, child pornography, or hate crimes;
- Likely to consume excessive bandwidth or expose the network to risk of tampering or intrusion; or
- Likely to be for purposes not related to DC government, business and functions. Types of blocked sites include, but are not limited to:
- Pornography sites
- Sites advocating or encouraging hate or discrimination
- Sites providing information about hacking or other cyber-intrusion
- Sites featuring gambling, games or other entertainment
Content filtering is intended to prevent DC Government employees from intentionally or negligently accessing Internet sites and web pages that are non-business related or could otherwise violate applicable law or policy. The District's content filtering software is not intended to, and does not, filter inappropriate content in chat rooms.
In some instances, the content filtering service will fail to block inappropriate content. The District assumes no liability in such cases.
In some instances, content filtering may block sites needed for legitimate DC government business. In these cases, requests for restoration of access or other filtering changes should be made in writing by the agency Director, or his/her designate, on the Content Filter Configuration Change Form provided below. OCTO will process the request within five working days.
