Introduction

This policy covers all Internet services that are provided by Vertic Pty Ltd for the purpose of conducting and supporting official business activity through the organisation’s network infrastructure and all mobile devices.

This document tells you how you may use the Vertic Pty Ltd Internet service, outlines your personal responsibilities and informs you what you must and must not do.

The objective of this policy is to direct all users of the Internet service by:

Providing guidance on expected working practice

Highlighting issues affecting use

Describing the standards that users must maintain

Stating the actions that may be taken to monitor the effectiveness of this policy

Warning users about the consequences of inappropriate use of the internet service

The Internet service is made available for the business purposes of the organization. A certain amount of personal use is permitted in accordance with the statements contained within this policy.

It is recognised that it is impossible to define precise rules covering all Internet activities and adherence should be undertaken within the spirit of the policy to ensure productive use of the Internet is made.

Non-compliance with this policy could have a significant effect on the efficient operation of the organization and may result in financial loss and an inability to provide necessary services to our customers. If any user is found to have breached this policy, they will be subject to disciplinary procedure. If a criminal offence is considered to have been committed further action may be taken to assist in the prosecution of the offender(s).

If you do not understand the implications of this policy or how it may apply to you, seek advice in the first instance from your immediate manager.

The following policies and procedures are relevant to this document:

Acceptable Use Policy

Mobile Device Policy

Software Policy

Social Media Policy

Cloud Computing Policy

Internet acceptable use policy

Business use of the Internet

Your Internet access must be used in accordance with this policy for tasks reasonably related to your work including:

Access to information and systems that is pertinent to fulfilling the organisation’s business obligations

The capability to post updates to organization-owned and/or maintained web sites and social media accounts

An electronic commerce facility (e.g. purchasing equipment for the organization)

Research

Personal use of the Internet

The organization permits personal use of the Internet in your own time (for example during your lunch break), provided it does not interfere with your work. Any exception to this is at the discretion of your line manager.

The organization is not, however, responsible for any personal transactions you enter - for example in respect of the quality, delivery or loss of items ordered. You must accept responsibility for, and keep the organization protected against, any claims, damages, losses or the like which might arise from your transaction - for example in relation to payment for the items or any personal injury or damage to property they might cause.

If you purchase personal goods or services via the Internet service, you are responsible for ensuring that the information you provide shows that the transaction is being entered by you personally and not on behalf of the organization.

You must ensure that personal goods and services purchased are delivered to your home or other personal address and not delivered to organization property.

If you are in any doubt about how you may make personal use of the Internet service, you are advised not to do so.

All personal usage must be in accordance with this policy. Your computer and company-provided mobile devices and any data held on them are the property of the organization and may be accessed at any time by the organization to ensure compliance with all its statutory, regulatory and internal policy requirements.

Internet access, security and monitoring

The organization will provide secure access to the Internet from your business device e.g. desktop computer or laptop. The IT Service Provider is responsible for the technical management of this access.

You are responsible for the security provided by your account username and password. Only you must know your password and you must be the only person who uses the Internet whilst logged on with your account.

You must not use anyone else’s user account to access the Internet.

The provision of Internet access is owned by the organization and all access is recorded, logged and interrogated for the purposes of:

Monitoring total usage to ensure business use is not impacted by lack of capacity

Monitoring all access for reports that are produced for line managers and auditors

Prohibited uses of the Internet

Except where it is strictly and necessarily required for your work, for example IT audit activity or other investigation, you must not use the Internet access provided by Vertic Pty Ltd to:

Create, download, upload, display or access knowingly, sites that contain pornography or other “unsuitable” material that might be deemed illegal, obscene or offensive

Subscribe to, enter or use peer-to-peer networks or install software that allows sharing of music, video or image files

Subscribe to, enter or utilise real time chat facilities such as chat rooms, text messenger or pager programs

Subscribe to, enter or use online gaming or betting sites

Subscribe to or enter “money making” sites or enter or use “money making” programs.

Run a private business

Download any software that does not comply with the organisation’s software policy

The above list gives examples of “unsuitable” usage but is neither exclusive nor exhaustive. “Unsuitable” material will include data, images, audio files or video files the transmission of which is illegal and material that is against the rule, essence and spirit of this and other organisational policies.

The organization will take steps to block the following categories of websites:

Illegal

Pornographic

Violence

Hate and discrimination

Offensive

Weapons

Hacking

Web chat

Gambling

Dating

Radio stations

Games

Streaming Media

If you have inadvertently attempted to access such a site, you should inform the IT Service Provider immediately.