December 6, 2001
Introduction
The RIDOT is committed to providing the computer resources necessary for
all employees to carry out their assigned functions and to give all units
access to the latest engineering and computer technology. The tools currently
provided by MIS include desktop and notebook computers, specialized application
servers, an intradepartmental network and access to the Internet with electronic
mail.
The computer equipment and services are provided
for the purpose of conducting State business and are designed to make
each Departmental Unit more efficient in information gathering and exchange.
While these services and equipment assist each unit in achieving its mission,
use of computer systems and network imposes certain responsibilities and
obligations on all users. Violation of this policy may result in appropriate
disciplinary action. In addition, use of the system and network is granted
subject to State and Federal Laws.
Computer Privacy Issues
In using RIDOT’s computer equipment and network services, employees
must recognize that workplace computers are neither personal nor "private"
in any sense. The use of computer communication technologies, and particularly
the use of e-mail, often gives us a false sense of privacy. The computers
that we use at the Department are the property of the State of Rhode Island.
The contents of all materials saved on these computers, including materials
from the Internet, e-mail etc., are not private and there is no reasonable
expectation of privacy for the user of the equipment. The content of the
materials saved on these computers is the property of the State of Rhode
Island and is subject to review by the employer at any time. The bottom
line is that we must all be aware that there is no reasonable expectation
of privacy regarding materials on our computers at work We must also be
aware that our access to the Internet while at work is governed by public
and employer expectations that each of us will act responsibly and with
the knowledge that we are the stewards of public resources.
E-mail
All employees connected to the RIDOT network have been provided with
e-mail capabilities. Employees have the ability to send electronic messages
throughout the world. Employees should be aware that e-mail messages are
clearly identifiable as coming from this State Department. With that in
mind, the following policies governing the use of RIDOT’s e-mail
system have been established.
- The following actions are prohibited:
a. Sending chain letters by e-mail;
b. Sending messages by e-mail for commercial or partisan political purposes
such as circulating advertising for products or political candidates;
c. Using e-mail to threaten, harass or intimidate another person;
d. Sending messages that are profane, obscene, or that use language
that offends or tends to degrade others;
e. Sending anonymous e-mails, or representing the e-mail as coming from
another person;
f. Sending e-mails with the intent to harm, such as knowingly transmitting
a computer virus.
- Solicitation through e-mail is prohibited without the express authorization
of the Division Administrator and the Human Resource Administrator,
whether or not the solicitation is for charitable causes.
- Mass e-mailing may be performed only when authorized by the Section
Chief or Administrator
Internet Usage
Unlawful or inappropriate use of the Internet is not permitted. This
means no access to pornographic sites or other offensive sites, and no
downloading of material violating copyright or licensing laws. If employees
accidentally access a website that contains pornographic, sexually explicit,
inappropriate or illegal materials, they must leave the site immediately.
MIS has installed software to monitor Internet usage and to block out
certain Internet sites that may contain content which is inappropriate
to the workplace. The filtering software is not perfect, and MIS will
assist users who are blocked from sites which are not inappropriate for
State business.
RIDOT’s access to the Internet is limited in bandwidth. To conserve
bandwidth, employees must limit access to Internet "streaming"
sites to the minimum amount of time necessary to achieve the information
needed for business purposes. Streaming involves receiving continuous
streams of data such as stock, sports, news and weather tickers, music,
radio and video.
Network/Computer Monitoring and Filtering
MIS has the responsibility of maintaining a stable computer network,
and to achieve that end has installed software which monitors the operation
and configuration of each computer attached to the network. To improve
computer and system stability, MIS will be migrating most computers to
the Windows 2000 operating system which will restrict the loading of software
to MIS Tech support staff and by certain designated employees within Department
Sections. In addition to improving computer and system stability, this
approach will prevent the installation of illegal and unauthorized software
on our computers.
RI State Government Information Network Acceptable
Use Privacy Policy
Because RIDOT
utilizes the RI State Government Information Network (RISGIN) for access
to the Internet, we must comply with the Acceptable Use/Privacy and Confidentiality
Policy (effective 9/1/00) issued by the Office of Library and Information
Services. All RIDOT employees must comply with this policy. The RISGIN
Policy which is reprinted below is incorporated into the RIDOT policy.
RI
State Government Information Network
Acceptable Use/Privacy and Confidentiality
Use of
the RI State Information Network is subject to the policies and
guidelines found within this document. The Office of Library and
Information Services reserves the right to terminate the accounts
and privileges of those it determines to be in violation of or
abusing policies including acceptable use.
RISGIN
makes no effort to protect the privacy of or maintain confidentiality
of electronic mail correspondence or of records of Internet usage.
Management reserves the right to investigate, read or track any
electronic mail or Internet use. Users should not use RISGIN for
matters they wish to keep private or confidential.
Following are Acceptable
Uses of the RI Information Network:
- To communicate with other state agencies
and business partners of state agencies.
- To exchange professional knowledge
and information and to keep current on or debate issues in a
field or sub-field of knowledge.
- To
participate in professional society or equivalent activities
related to the user’s professional
vocational discipline.
- To apply for or administer grants
or contracts for work-related applications.
- To use any other administrative communications
or activities in direct support of work-related functions.
Following are Unacceptable
Uses:
- Illegal or malicious use is not acceptable.
Use should be consistent; with guiding ethical statements and
accepted community standards. The network may not be used in
ways that violate applicable laws or regulations such as use
of the network to transmit or solicit threatening, obscene,
or harassing materials.
- Use of the network or any attached
network, LAN or WAN, in a manner that precludes or significantly
hampers its use by others is not acceptable.
- Connections which create routing
patterns that are inconsistent with the effective and shared
use of the network shall not be established.
- Unsolicited commercial advertising
is not acceptable.
- Recreational use is not acceptable.
- Use for revenue generating activities,
unless stated as a specifically acceptable use. is not acceptable.
- Use for private or personal business
activities, as defined in a commercial sense such as the buying
and selling of commodities or services with a profit motive,
is not acceptable.
- It is not acceptable to use the network
to solicit information with the intent of using such information
to cause personal harm or bodily injury.
- It is not acceptable to use the network
so as to interfere with or disrupt network users, services,
or equipment. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, distribution
of unsolicited advertising, propagation of computer worms or
viruses, and use of the network to make unauthorized entry to
any other machine accessible via the network.
- Sending bulk mailings (except in
the conduct of state business) or chain letters via electronic
mail is unacceptable.
Following are Ethical
Standards:
- To respect the privacy of other users;
for example, users shall not intentionally seek information
on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data, or passwords
belonging to other users, or represent themselves as another
user unless explicitly authorized to do so by that user.
- To respect the legal protection provided
by copyright and licensing laws to programs and data.
- To respect the integrity of computing
systems; for example, users shall not intentionally develop
programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or
computing system and/or damage or alter the software components
of a computer or computing system.
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