Office of Human Resources - HR Advisor
Conditions of Employment
Computer, Internet and Electronic Communications
Prohibited Uses of ASU Commuting and Communications Resources
Information Posted to ASU Computers or Web Pages
Confidentiality
Network Monitoring
Violations
Frequently Asked Question
QUESTIONS?TEMPE/POLYTECHNIC |
POLICIES DEFINITIONSACCOUNT ASU WEB PAGES AUTHORIZED ASU OFFICIAL CLICK TRADE COLLEGE WEB SITES DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACKS DEPARTMENT WEB SITES INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PSEUDONYMOUS COMMUNICATIONS |
ASU’s computing and communication resources are the property of ASU. They are to be used for the advancement of ASU’s educational, research, service, community outreach, administrative and business purposes. Computing and communication resources are provided for the use of faculty, staff, currently admitted or enrolled students, and other properly authorized users.
When a user’s affiliation with ASU ends, ASU will terminate access to computing and communications resources and accounts. ASU may, at its discretion, permit the user to have the access to accounts and e-mail forwarded or redirected for a limited period of time.
Requirements for the Use of ASU Computing
and Communication Resources
- Users must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, and with ASU and regents’ policies.
- Users must respect academic freedom and free speech rights.
- Users must be truthful and accurate in personal and computer identification.
- Users must respect the rights and privacy of others, including intellectual property and personal property rights.
- Users must not compromise the integrity of electronic networks, must avoid restricted areas, and must refrain from activities that may damage the network, or transmitted or stored data.
- Users must maintain the security of accounts and are advised to protect and regularly change their account passwords. Individuals responsible for system administration are required to regularly change passwords to protect information and maintain security.
Prohibited Uses of ASU Commuting and Communications Resources
- Unlawful communications, including threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography, and harassing communications, are prohibited.
- Use of ASU computer resources for private business or commercial activities, fund-raising or advertising on behalf of non-ASU organizations is prohibited.
- The unauthorized reselling of ASU computer resources is prohibited.
- Unauthorized use of university trademarks or logos and other protected trademarks and logos is prohibited.
- ASU home pages may link to commercial Web sites, but any link that generates, or has the potential to generate, revenue to ASU or to any individual or company, including click trade or banner advertising, must be approved by Purchasing and Business Services.
- College and department Web sites may include links to commercial Web sites to provide information related to the mission or function of the college or department. Any link that generates, or has the potential to generate, revenue to the college or department must be approved through Purchasing and Business Services.
- Any alteration of addresses, uniform resource locator (URL), or other action that masks the asu.edu domain as a host site is prohibited.
- Unauthorized anonymous and pseudonymous communications are prohibited. All users are required to cooperate with appropriate ASU personnel or other authorized personnel when investigating the source of anonymous messages.
- Misrepresenting or forging the identity of the sender or the source of an electronic communication is prohibited.
- Unauthorized acquisition attempts to acquire, and use of passwords of others are prohibited.
- Unauthorized use and attempts to use the computer accounts of others are prohibited.
- Altering the content of a message originating from another person or computer with intent to deceive is prohibited.
- Unauthorized modification of or deletion of another person’s files, account, or news group postings is prohibited.
- Use of ASU computer resources or electronic information without authorization or beyond one’s level of authorization is prohibited.
- Interception or attempted interception of communications by parties not authorized or intended to receive them is prohibited.
- Making ASU computing resources available to individuals not affiliated with ASU without approval of an authorized ASU official at or above the level of dean or director is prohibited.
- Intentionally or recklessly compromising the privacy or security of electronic information is prohibited.
- Infringing upon the copyright, trademark, patent, or other intellectual property rights of others in computer programs or electronic information (including plagiarism and unauthorized use or reproduction) is prohibited. The unauthorized storing, copying or use of audio files, images, graphics, computer software, data sets, bibliographic records and other protected property is prohibited except as permitted by law.
- Interference with or disruption of the computer or network accounts, services, or equipment of others is prohibited. The intentional propagation of computer “worms” and “viruses,” the sending of electronic chain mail, denial of service attacks and inappropriate “broadcasting” of messages to large numbers of individuals or hosts are prohibited.
- Failure to comply with requests from appropriate ASU officials to discontinue activities that threaten the operation or integrity of computers, systems or networks, or otherwise violate this policy is prohibited.
- Revealing passwords or otherwise permitting the use by others (by intent or negligence) of personal accounts for computer and network access without authorization is prohibited.
- Altering or attempting to alter files or systems without authorization is prohibited.
- Unauthorized scanning of networks for security vulnerabilities is prohibited.
- Attempting to alter any ASU computing or networking components (including, but not limited to, bridges, routers, and hubs) without approval or beyond one’s level of authorization is prohibited.
- Wiring, including attempts to create network connections, or any extension or retransmission of any computer or network services unless approved by an authorized network administrator is prohibited.
- Negligent or intentional conduct leading to disruption of electronic networks or information systems is prohibited.
- Negligent or intentional conduct leading to the damage of ASU electronic information, computing/networking equipment, and resources is prohibited.
Information Posted to ASU Computers or Web Pages
ASU Web pages may be used only for ASU business and only authorized individuals may modify or post materials to these pages. No other pages may suggest that they are university Web pages. If confusion is possible, pages should contain a disclaimer and links to ASU sites. The site may not be used for unauthorized commercial purposes.
By posting materials and using ASU computing facilities, the user represents that he or she has created the materials or that he or she has the right to post or use the materials. The storage, posting, or transmission of materials must not violate the rights of any third person in the materials, including copyright, trademark, patent, trade secrets, and any rights of publicity or privacy of any person. The materials posted must not be defamatory, libelous, slanderous, or obscene.
Electronic Mail and Electronic Communications:
Access to ASU e-mail is a privilege that may be wholly or partially restricted without prior notice and without consent of the user. Access to the e-mail system may require approval of the appropriate ASU supervisory or management authority (e.g., department head, system administrator, etc.).
ASU may permit the inspection, monitoring or disclosure of e-mail, computer files and network transmissions when:
- Required or permitted by law, including public records law, or by subpoena or court order
- ASU or its designated agent reasonably believes that a violation of law or policy has occurred
or
- Necessary to monitor and preserve the functioning and integrity of the e-mail system or related computer systems or facilities.
All computer users agree to cooperate and comply with ASU requests for access to and copies of e-mail messages or data when access or disclosure is authorized by this policy or required or allowed by law or other applicable policies.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality of e-mail and other network transmissions cannot be assured. Therefore all users should exercise caution when sending personal, financial, confidential, or sensitive information by e-mail or over the network.
Network Monitoring
Certain central service and network activities from workstations connected to the network are routinely logged and monitored. These activities include:
- use of passwords and accounts accessed
- time and duration of network activity
- access to Web pages
- access to network software
- volume of data storage and transfers
and
- server space used for e-mail.
Violations
Any actual or suspected violation of the rules listed above should be brought to the system administrator of the equipment or facility most directly involved. In the case of a serious violation, a report may be made to Information Technology or the Office of General Counsel.
Upon receiving notice of a violation, ASU may temporarily suspend a user’s privileges or move or delete the allegedly offending material pending further proceedings.
A person accused of a violation will be notified of the charge and have an opportunity to respond before ASU imposes a permanent sanction. Appropriate cases will be referred to the ASU disciplinary authority appropriate to the violator’s status (e.g., Office of Student Life or employee’s supervisor) or to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
Frequently Asked Question
Can a supervisor request an employee’s password for business purposes?
No, at no time should a supervisor ask for an employee’s password. Passwords are to be kept confidential and should not be given to anyone under any circumstances. Please see the ASURITE Password Policy for more information.