NCKCN Internet and E-Mail Acceptable Use Policy

1 Disclaimer

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that contains countless pages of information. Users are cautioned that many of these pages include offensive, sexually explicit and inappropriate material. In general it is difficult to avoid at least some contact with this material while using the Internet. Even innocuous search requests may lead to sites with highly offensive content. Additionally, having an e-mail address may lead to the receipt of unsolicited e-mails containing offensive content. Users accessing the Internet do so at their own risk and NCKCN is not responsible for material viewed or downloaded by users from the Internet. To minimise these risks, your use of the Internet at NCKCN is governed by the following policy:

2 Permitted Use of the Internet, E-mails and Computer Network

The intranet network is the property of NCKCN and may only be used for legitimate purposes. All Users have a responsibility to use NCKCN's network resources and the Internet in a professional, lawful and ethical manner. Abuse of the intranet network or the Internet, may result in disciplinary action, including possible service termination, and civil and/or criminal liability.

3 Introduction

3.1 Purpose - The purpose of this policy is to ensure efficient use of NCKCN resources and to protect NCKCN and its End Users from misuse of those resources.

3.2 Scope - This policy applies to all End Users of NCKCN who are authorized to use e-mail and/or Internet facilities owned or operated by the NCKCN.

3.3 Failure to Comply - Failure to comply with this policy amounts to misconduct and will result in disciplinary action which, for end users, could include immediate service termination, and civil and/or criminal liability.

4 WARNING

E-mail is neither private nor secret. Personal e-mails can easily be forwarded to other parties to whom they were not originally intended and the message manipulated or misconstrued. This can result in liability of the sender for issues arising such as sexual harassment, defamation or discrimination. E-mails are discoverable documents that may be required to be produced for legal proceedings.

5 NCKCN Property

5.1 NCKCN owns and asserts copyright over all materials created by its employees as part of their employment including that sent through the information technology network.

5.2 All e-mails and Internet activity may be monitored whether used for work or non-work related activities.

6 Inappropriate Use

6.1 NCKCN will not tolerate the use of e-mails or the Internet which is: a) Illegal (including but not limited to harassment or pornography); b) Defamatory or discriminatory; c) Vilifying, sexist, racist, abusive, rude, annoying, insulting, threatening, causes an invasion of privacy or inconvenience, obscene or otherwise inappropriate; d) Causes embarrassment or loss of reputation to NCKCN; e) Causes disruption to the workplace environment; f) Relates to the activities of private organizations eg clubs, industrial associations; g) Is likely to corrupt, damage or destroy data, software or hardware of the NCKCN or others; h) Is critical of NCKCN, its management or its employees.

6.2 Such inappropriate use as listed above depends on the perception of the reader and not the intention of the sender!

7 Monitoring

7.1 NCKCN reserves the right to monitor the use of its computer network, to the extent allowed by relevant laws, to ensure compliance with the Company’s Internet and e-mail policy. This may include the interception and/or reading of any messages sent or received.

7.2 End Users should NOT expect that any information or file transmitted or stored through the NCKCN’s network will be private.

8 Confidentiality and Copyright Infringement

8.1 E-mails are not a secure means of communication!

8.2 E-mails must not be used to communicate NCKCN confidential information without prior approval.

8.3 Copyright materials of NCKCN or any other entity must not be distributed without specific authority to do so.

8.4 Copyright materials from the Internet must not be copied or published without specific authority to do so.

9 Unauthorized Use of the Internet and World-Wide Web

9.1 NCKCN Internet access facilities must only be used for authorized purposes. The Internet access facilities must not be used for:

a) The downloading, access or posting of materials on the Internet that may be considered illegal, inappropriate, offensive, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or discriminatory;

b) Attempting to obtain unauthorized access to NCKCN's or any other computer system or data stored in any computer system and/or attempt to probe the security mechanisms at NCKCN or any other Internet site.

c) Using the Internet facilities of NCKCN for financial gain.

10 Storage

10.1 E-mails containing information required to be kept should be printed and filed as necessary. E-mails should not be stored unless essential.

10.2 Unnecessary messages and files should be deleted both for security reasons and to free-up space on the network.

11 Site Blocking

11.1 NCKCN has the right to utilize software that makes it possible to block access to Internet sites containing illegal, sexually explicit or other materials deemed inappropriate in accordance to this AUP.

12 Acceptable Use Changes

12.1 NCKCN has the right to update, change or alter this Acceptable Use Policy at any time or in any manner. NCKCN is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this Acceptable Use Policy.