Purpose
The Internet provides a source of information
that can benefit every professional discipline represented in the Department of
the Interior. It is the policy of the Department that employees whose job
performance can be enhanced through use of the Internet be provided access and
become proficient in its capabilities. This policy document delineates
acceptable use of the Internet by Departmental employees, volunteers, and
contractors while using Government-owned or -leased equipment, facilities,
Internet addresses, or domain names registered to the Department of the
Interior.
Background
The Internet is comprised of thousands of
interconnected networks which provide digital pathways to millions of
information sites. Because these networks subscribe to a common set of standards
and protocols, users have worldwide access to Internet hosts and their
associated applications and databases. Electronic search and retrieval tools
permit users to gather information and data from a multitude of sources and to
communicate with other Internet users who have related interests.
Access to the Internet provides government
agencies with the opportunity to locate and use current and historical data from
multiple sources worldwide in their decision-making processes. Employees and
authorized volunteers and contractors of the Department of the Interior are
encouraged to develop the skills necessary to effectively utilize these tools in
the performance of their jobs.
Scope of the Policy
This policy applies to Internet access only. It
does not cover the requirements, standards, and procedures for the development
and implementation of Departmental information sites on the Internet.
The following Departmental Internet users are
covered by this policy:
- Full or part-time employees of the
Department of the Interior.
- Volunteers who are authorized to use
Departmental resources to access the Internet.
- Departmental contractors who are authorized
to use Government-owned equipment or facilities.
This policy distinguishes between Internet
access performed during normal working hours and that performed on personal time
(i.e., on weekends, before and after work, during lunch periods, or during
scheduled break periods). This policy applies to Internet access when using
Government equipment and facilities, and performed using Internet Protocol
addresses and domain names registered to the Department.
Policy
The Department of the Interior promotes
Internet use that enables employees to perform Departmental missions and
encourages its employees, volunteers, and contractor personnel to develop
Internet skills and knowledge. If an employee's supervisor determines that
Internet access is in the best interest of the Government, the employee will be
permitted, within the limits set forth below, to use the Internet on personal
time to build his/her network search and retrieval skills. Employees who do not
require access to the Internet as part of their official duties, may not access
the Internet using Departmental facilities under any circumstances. It is
expected that employees will use the Internet to improve their job knowledge; to
access scientific, technical, and other information on topics which have
relevance to the Department; and to communicate with their peers in other
Government agencies, academia, and industry. Users should be aware that when
access is accomplished using Internet addresses and domain names registered to
the Department of the Interior, they may be perceived by others to represent the
Department. Users are advised not to use the Internet for any purpose which
would reflect negatively on the Department or its employees.
Federal computer systems are for Government use
and not for personal use; however, when certain criteria are met, Departmental
users are permitted to engage in the following activities:
- During working hours, access job-related
information, as needed, to meet the requirements of their jobs.
- During working hours, participate in news
groups, chat sessions, and E-mail discussion groups (list servers), provided
these sessions have a direct relationship to the user's job with the Department.
If personal opinions are expressed, a disclaimer should be included stating that
this is not an official position of the Department.
- During personal time, retrieve non-job-related
text and graphics information to develop or enhance Internet-related skills if
the office pays a fixed rate for Internet access; that is, the access charge is
usage insensitive and if a dial-up connection is made to an Internet access
provider it must be within the local calling areas. It is expected that these
skills will be used to improve the accomplishment of job-related work
assignments. This policy of allowing employees to use Internet resources during
non-work periods is similar to the policy of allowing staff to use library
resources on personal time. The use of both types of resources enhances the
employee’s knowledge and skill in information retrieval, benefits which
immediately translate to his or her ability to perform work-related activities.
By encouraging employees to explore the Internet, the Department also builds its
pool of Internet-literate staff who can then guide and encourage other
employees.
- Employees are prohibited from initiating
non-work-related Internet sessions using Departmental information resources from
remote locations. That is, employees shall not dial into Departmental resources
from home or other non-departmental locations for the purpose of participating
in non-job-related Internet activities.
The following uses of the Internet, either
during working hours or personal time, using Departmental equipment or
facilities, are not allowed:
- Access, retrieve, or print text and graphics
information which exceeds the bounds of generally accepted standards of good
taste and ethics.
- Engage in any unlawful activities or any
other activities which would in any way bring discredit on the Department of the
Interior.
- Engage in personal commercial activities on
the Internet, including offering services or merchandise for sale or ordering
services or merchandise from on-line vendors.
- Engage in any activity which would
compromise the security of any Government host computer. Host log-in passwords
will not be disclosed or shared with other users.
- Engage in any fund raising activity, endorse
any product or services, participate in any lobbying activity, or engage in any
active political activity. The prohibition against engaging in political
activity does not apply to Presidential appointees who have received Senate
confirmation.
Supervisory Responsibility
Supervisors of Departmental employees,
volunteers, and contractors will have the final authority in determining whether
an employee requires Internet skills to accomplish their assigned duties.
Supervisors have the responsibility for:
- Acquiring Internet access for their employees
who need it to conduct the official business of the Department.
- Determining whether or not Internet access is
provided to their employees for a flat fee. If access is provided on a flat fee
basis, employees may use the Internet for the activities outlined above.
Supervisors should check with the group system or LAN administrator to determine
whether their Internet access is acquired at a flat fee.
- Advising their employees regarding the
restriction against personal use of Departmental Internet access resources from
other than Departmental facilities.
- Assuming the responsibility for making the
final determination as to the appropriateness of their employee’s use of the
Internet, when questions arise. This shall include the acceptability of Internet
sites visited and the determination of personal time versus official work hours.
User Responsibilities
Use of computer equipment and Internet access
to accomplish job responsibilities will always have priority over personal use.
In order to avoid capacity problems and to reduce the susceptibility of
Department information technology resources to computer viruses, Internet users
will comply with the following guidelines.
- Personal files obtained via the Internet may
not be stored on individual PC hard drives or on local area network (LAN) file
servers.
- Official video and voice files should not be
downloaded from the Internet except when they will be used to serve an approved
Departmental function.
Users are responsible for:
- Following existing security policies and
procedures in their use of Internet services and will refrain from any practices
which might jeopardize the Department’s computer systems and data files,
including but not limited to virus attacks, when downloading files from the
Internet.
- Learning about Internet etiquette, customs,
and courtesies, including those procedures and guidelines to be followed when
using remote computer services and transferring files from other computers.
- Familiarizing themselves with any special
requirements for accessing, protecting, and utilizing data, including Privacy
Act materials, copyrighted materials, and procurement sensitive data.
- Conducting themselves in a way that reflects
positively on the Department, since they are identified as Departmental
employees on the Internet even though they may be using the Internet for
personal reasons, as stated above.
- Being aware, along with their supervisors,
whether Internet access is billed on a flat fee rather than a usage sensitive
basis.
Individuals using Government equipment to
access the Internet are subject to having activities monitored by system or
security personnel. Use of this system constitutes consent to security
monitoring, and employees should remember that most sessions are not private.
For information regarding this policy
document contact your LAN administrator, supervisor, or Steve King at
202-208-0596.
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