Authorized users of the Creighton School Division’s computer resources and their Internet access capabilities are expected to exercise good judgment in determining whether or not a particular activity is an acceptable use of school division information resources. In general, the following activities are considered unacceptable:

1. Any activity that compromises or has the potential to compromise the privacy of users and their personal data, or which might result in the unauthorized destruction, modification or disclosure of sensitive or confidential Saskatchewan Learning or School Division data, including:

• Disclosing sensitive or confidential Sask. Learning or School Division information to individuals with no authority to possess that information;

• Viewing or distributing data files belonging to another user unless specifically authorized to do so, regardless of whether a security weakness in the system might permit this. The ability to access information does not implicitly grant permission to view that information;

• Reading another user’s information files from a display terminal, as printed output, or from magnetic media without that user’s explicit permission;

• Requesting or attempting to learn another individual’s password;

• Using or attempting to use another individual’s account;

• Using school division computer systems as a conduit for unauthorized access attempts on remote computer systems; and

• Attempting to intercept, block, encrypt, or eavesdrop on any electronic message addressed to another individual.

2. Any activity that damages or has the potential to damage the integrity of Saskatchewan Learning or the Creighton School Division computing systems, or to impede an authorized user’s ability to perform his/her duties is considered unacceptable. These types of activities include:

• Developing, downloading, or using programs that attempt to bypass security mechanisms or uncover security weaknesses;

• Creating, installing or knowingly distributing a computer virus or any other potentially destructive software;

• Unauthorized modification or removal of operating systems software, applications software, data files, configuration files, or log files;

BOARD APPROVED:

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NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE ________  

• Degrading system performance through frivolous or excessive consumption of available resources;

• Intentionally damaging computer hardware or peripherals;

• Unauthorized removal of school division owned hardware, peripherals, or digital storage media;

• Unauthorized removal of school division owned software media; and

• Connecting to a foreign network while connected to the school division’s network.

3. Any activity that can be considered a violation of copyright law.

4. Any activity that is considered to be within the domain of the school division computer system operational staff (SYSOPS), when carried out by someone who is not a SYSOP. Members of this group include those who are so designated by the Principal. Prohibited activities include:

• Installation, de-installation or modification of any computer hardware component;

• Installation, de-installation or modification of application software;

• Modification of operating systems parameters or configuration files;

• Moving of computers from one location to another, with the exception of portable computer devices;

• Users may not connect any computers to the internal network without the expressed consent of the Principal;

• Swapping of computer peripherals; and

• Modifications to the network cabling system in the school division.

5. Any activity not specifically related to school division business, including:

• Use of the school division’s systems for personal financial gain or for any commercial or political purpose not directly related to the school divisions functions;

• Accessing, retrieving, publishing, posting, displaying or distributing material, which is offensive or perceived to be offensive: this includes pornography, hate literature and any other material which defames or demeans an individual or group of individuals; and

BOARD APPROVED:

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NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE ________ 

• Personal use such as playing games or listening to music. Questions about personal use should be directed to the Principal.

6. Authorized users of the Creighton School Division information resources should have no expectation of privacy in terms of email transmitted, received or stored on any of the school division’s computer resources. An email is the property of the school division, and is not a private user communication (whether created or received). The following email practices are considered unacceptable:

• Personnel use, except for those personal uses identified as permissible in regulation 3.3.5;

• Distributing pornography, hate literature and any other material which defames or demeans an individual or a group of individuals;

• Intentionally distributing viruses or other destructive programs;

• Using the medium for personal financial gain;

• Sending excessively large files such as Christmas cards or animated valentines greetings;

• Mass broadcasting of personal messages;

• Email is intended for communication between individuals, and clearly identified groups for school division purposes;

• Deliberately interfering with the ability of other users to send or receive email;

• Intercepting, redirecting or otherwise interfering or attempting to interfere with email intended for other persons; and

• Impersonating another user or otherwise attempting to conceal the true origin of an email message.

BOARD APPROVED:

___________________,________

NEW POLICY _______

REPLACES POLICY _________

LEGAL REFERENCE ________