Regulations For The Use Of Computer Facilities

This document is definitive!

Introduction

Those applying to use BSU computer facilities should read these regulations, return a signed copy to the Server Team, NP.TN.G01 and retain a copy for reference. Successful applicants will receive details of permitted services and information about user-names and passwords. Applications for restricted services must be authorised by the relevant data owner.

BSU computer facilities include personal computers, server computers, data network equipment and telecommunications equipment. The regulations cover other connected computers and networks external to BSU. Breach of the regulations will lead to disciplinary investigation, and may result in withdrawal of computer facilities, or exclusion from the University.

Part 1 of the regulations is based on the following Acts of Parliament: the Computer Misuse Act 1990; the Copyright Designs and Patents Act; the Data Protection Acts 1984 and 1998; the Defamation Act 1996; the Obscene Publications Act; the Telecommunications Act 1984; and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2001. Offences against these Acts may result in criminal prosecution. Part 2 is determined by BSU, and may not be varied except by written permission of the Director or his nominee.

• Policy for Institutional Access to Staff and Student IT Accounts and Equipment (.pdf)

Part 1

Users of BSU computer facilities must not:

• make unauthorised access to, or modification of, any data, program, facility or service
• waste BSU computer resources or staff time
• corrupt or destroy other users' data
• violate the privacy of other users
• disrupt the work of other users
• deny the use of BSU computer services to other users
• introduce computer viruses, worms, logic bombs or Trojan horses
• create or transmit any offensive, obscene or indecent image, data or other material, or any data capable of being resolved into an obscene or indecent image or material
• create or transmit material designed or likely to cause insult, annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety
• create or transmit defamatory material
• use unlicensed software
• create or transmit material such that this infringes the copyright of another person
• alter work protected by copyright when it is copied into a website even with the owner's permission
• fail to credit in any website work protected by copyright even with the owner's permission
• include in any website a trade-name, logo or trademark of any organisation without the owner's permission
• process personal data in a way that infringes the principles of the Data Protection Acts.

Part 2

Users of BSU computer facilities must not:

• encrypt data without supplying the encryption key to Computing Services (who may be required to disclose the key to the police)
• use BSU computer facilities for financial gain
• use BSU facilities to play a computer game except as a legitimate part of an academic programme
• maliciously, mischievously or negligently create or transmit material that may cause adverse publicity for the University
• leave accessible PCs unattended without logging off
• remove computer equipment without the authority of the budget holder
• disclose his/her password to another user
• use another user's password
• choose a password that is easy to guess
• use a modem on a PC connected to the college network unless it is registered with Computing Services
• install a device which supports wireless networking unless they are a member of Computing Services

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