Rowett Institute: Computing Policy.

This document last updated 10 March 2009.

Note: the Computing Policy prior to merger with the University is at http://www.rowett.ac.uk/oldcode/policy.html

Changes

• 1.2. For the Rowett, the guidelines referred to are:
  It is acceptable for staff, students and visitors to make reasonable use of computing facilities at the Rowett, including accessing the Internet from the Institute for email and web browsing for personal (i.e. non-University) purposes. Personal, non-University files must not be stored on the network filers or servers which are reserved for University information.

  Reasonable means that: (1) the time taken does not interfere with normal working, (2) the use must not be illegal, (3) there must not be misuse of the facilities (not offensive, threatening, defamatory, advertising for personal gain etc.).

  Users may place commercial or advertising material in the intranet "Message Board" system. Apart from this, private computer use for personal gain requires prior approval by the user's line-manager. Limited private use of computing facilities (including games) is permitted provided that any such use does not interfere with normal working or is for any reason undesirable.

Additions

• Email which are sent as "business letters", see http://www.rowett.ac.uk/compcode/businessemail.html
• Advice on wording of disclaimer on email, if one is required: http://www.rowett.ac.uk/compcode/disclaimer.html
• Storage of files of University information.

  All files of University information MUST be stored in a secure area allocated by the Computing Section. See SoP MAN0044 (intranet). This area will be on a regularly backed-up server and in most circumstances will be on a filer (intranet).

  University data held temporarily and software MAY be held on individual hard disks. Also, where there are technical reasons and you have your Head of Division's written permission, you MAY store University data on a local hard disk but it MUST be backed-up, see below.

  Folders of email messages stored using the University Outlook/Exchange system are held on a secure, backed-up server. However, other folders of mail messages (for example those holding messages from prior to the move to the University system} are normally held on hard disks which are not backed up. In the latter cases, individual messages and attachments of important University information MUST be stored in a secure area, as above. Technical advice is at http://www.rowett.ac.uk/rrionly/comput/emailquest.html#filer (intranet).

  Personal (i.e. non-University related) files MUST NOT be stored on a network server.

• Anti-Virus Precautions

  To protect against computer viruses, all computers (except where there is little risk and where precautions are not feasible) MUST use anti-virus software.

• Anti-virus procedures are mandatory for checking software, data or email attachments. Sophos antivirus is normally used. See http://www.abdn.ac.uk/dit/antivirus/. The Institute site licence for NAI VirusScan, has now expired and its continued use is NOT RECOMMENDED.

  When, for technical reasons, it is infeasible to run anti-virus software on a particular computer, adequate precautions MUST be taken and written approval of the Head of Division is REQUIRED.

  Guidance is available at http://www.rowett.ac.uk/rrionly/comput/security/#virus (intranet)