Technology Use and Security
Georgetown University encourages members of its community to make innovative and creative use of information technologies in support of education and research. To facilitate the productive use of technology on its campuses, the university has established a number of policies related to computer use and information services. A full list of policies is available online at http://policies.georgetown.edu/tech.
All users of Georgetown University’s technology resources are required to abide by the Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, application administrators and systems and network administrators have the added responsibility of implementing the policy. They are also covered by the “Guidelines for Systems and Network Administrators.”
Maintenance and Availability: Users must ensure that they do not negatively impact the functionality and availability of the University’s computer systems, enterprise and application systems, and network services. Users must make sure that their computer is properly maintained, including having up-to-date anti-virus protection and operating system patches. Users must not tamper with any hardware, networks, applications, system files or other users' files without authorization or permission. They also must not circumvent or alter software, physical protections, or other restrictions placed on computers, networks, software, applications, or files (other than their own files or applications they manage). Similarly, users may not make resources available to circumvent or alter software protections or other restrictions placed on computers, networks, applications, or files (other than their own files).
Computer Accounts: Users must use only their own computer account(s), and may not attempt to impersonate the identities of others. Users may not supply false or misleading data nor improperly obtain another's password in order to gain access to computers or network systems, data or information.
Information Security: Users are responsible and accountable for all use and security of the electronic resources they own or use, including but not limited to computer account(s), passwords, personal computer(s), electronic data, and network access. Users should make appropriate use of the software, system and network-provided protection features and take precautions against others obtaining access to your computer resources. Users are responsible for the security of all NetIDs, accounts and passwords assigned for their use. Passwords must never be shared.
Shared Resources: Users may not encroach on another's use of computer resources. Such activities would include, but are not limited to, tying up computer and network resources for illegally downloading or sharing music, movies, software or other files, or other non-University related applications; sending harassing messages; sending frivolous or excessive messages, including chain letters, junk mail, spam, and other types of broadcast messages, either locally or over the Internet; using excessive amounts of storage; launching attacks or probes, or otherwise attempting to subvert the security of any system or network at Georgetown University or on the Internet; intentionally or irresponsibly introducing any computer viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, spy ware, or other rogue programs to hardware, software, systems or networks at Georgetown University or on the Internet; or physically damaging systems.
Intellectual Property: Users are responsible for making use of software and electronic materials in accordance with copyright and licensing restrictions and applicable University policies. Georgetown University networks, equipment and software may not be used to violate copyright or the terms of any license agreement. No one may inspect, modify, distribute, or copy proprietary data, directories, programs, files, disks or software without proper authorization.
Publication: Information distributed through the University's Web or other computing and networking facilities is a form of publishing and many of the same standards apply. For example, any Web publication attributed to Georgetown, even with disclaimers, represents you and the University and appropriate language, behavior and style is warranted.
Personal Information: All members of the University community should be cautious about making information about themselves and others available on the Internet. The University cannot protect them from invasions of privacy, identity theft, and other possible dangers that could result from the individual's distribution of personal information.
While respecting confidentiality and privacy, the University reserves the right to examine all University owned and operated computer systems and electronic/digital resources. The University takes this step to enforce its policies regarding harassment and the safety of individuals; to prevent unauthorized reproduction or distribution of proprietary software or digital texts, images (moving and still) or music; to safeguard the integrity of computers, networks, and data either at the University or elsewhere; and to protect the University against seriously damaging consequences. The University may restrict the use of its computers and network systems for electronic communications when faced with evidence of violation of University policies, or federal or local laws. The University will comply with, and respond to, all validly issued legal processes, including subpoenas. The University reserves the right to limit access to its networks through University-owned or other computers, and to remove or limit access to material posted or distributed on University-owned computers.
All members of the University community are bound by federal and local laws relating to civil rights, harassment, copyright, security, and other statutes relating to electronic media. It should be understood that this policy does not preclude enforcement under federal and local laws and regulations.
All users of Georgetown University’s technology resources are required to abide by the Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy. In addition, application administrators and systems and network administrators have the added responsibility of implementing the policy. They are also covered by the “Guidelines for Systems and Network Administrators.”
Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy Overview
Georgetown University computing and network resources are to be used only for University-related research, instruction, learning, enrichment, dissemination of scholarly information, and administrative activities. The computing and network facilities of the University are limited and should be used wisely and carefully with consideration for the needs of others. Here are some of the responsibilities and expectations covered in the computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy:Maintenance and Availability: Users must ensure that they do not negatively impact the functionality and availability of the University’s computer systems, enterprise and application systems, and network services. Users must make sure that their computer is properly maintained, including having up-to-date anti-virus protection and operating system patches. Users must not tamper with any hardware, networks, applications, system files or other users' files without authorization or permission. They also must not circumvent or alter software, physical protections, or other restrictions placed on computers, networks, software, applications, or files (other than their own files or applications they manage). Similarly, users may not make resources available to circumvent or alter software protections or other restrictions placed on computers, networks, applications, or files (other than their own files).
Computer Accounts: Users must use only their own computer account(s), and may not attempt to impersonate the identities of others. Users may not supply false or misleading data nor improperly obtain another's password in order to gain access to computers or network systems, data or information.
Information Security: Users are responsible and accountable for all use and security of the electronic resources they own or use, including but not limited to computer account(s), passwords, personal computer(s), electronic data, and network access. Users should make appropriate use of the software, system and network-provided protection features and take precautions against others obtaining access to your computer resources. Users are responsible for the security of all NetIDs, accounts and passwords assigned for their use. Passwords must never be shared.
Shared Resources: Users may not encroach on another's use of computer resources. Such activities would include, but are not limited to, tying up computer and network resources for illegally downloading or sharing music, movies, software or other files, or other non-University related applications; sending harassing messages; sending frivolous or excessive messages, including chain letters, junk mail, spam, and other types of broadcast messages, either locally or over the Internet; using excessive amounts of storage; launching attacks or probes, or otherwise attempting to subvert the security of any system or network at Georgetown University or on the Internet; intentionally or irresponsibly introducing any computer viruses, worms, Trojan Horses, spy ware, or other rogue programs to hardware, software, systems or networks at Georgetown University or on the Internet; or physically damaging systems.
Intellectual Property: Users are responsible for making use of software and electronic materials in accordance with copyright and licensing restrictions and applicable University policies. Georgetown University networks, equipment and software may not be used to violate copyright or the terms of any license agreement. No one may inspect, modify, distribute, or copy proprietary data, directories, programs, files, disks or software without proper authorization.
Publication: Information distributed through the University's Web or other computing and networking facilities is a form of publishing and many of the same standards apply. For example, any Web publication attributed to Georgetown, even with disclaimers, represents you and the University and appropriate language, behavior and style is warranted.
Personal Information: All members of the University community should be cautious about making information about themselves and others available on the Internet. The University cannot protect them from invasions of privacy, identity theft, and other possible dangers that could result from the individual's distribution of personal information.
While respecting confidentiality and privacy, the University reserves the right to examine all University owned and operated computer systems and electronic/digital resources. The University takes this step to enforce its policies regarding harassment and the safety of individuals; to prevent unauthorized reproduction or distribution of proprietary software or digital texts, images (moving and still) or music; to safeguard the integrity of computers, networks, and data either at the University or elsewhere; and to protect the University against seriously damaging consequences. The University may restrict the use of its computers and network systems for electronic communications when faced with evidence of violation of University policies, or federal or local laws. The University will comply with, and respond to, all validly issued legal processes, including subpoenas. The University reserves the right to limit access to its networks through University-owned or other computers, and to remove or limit access to material posted or distributed on University-owned computers.
All members of the University community are bound by federal and local laws relating to civil rights, harassment, copyright, security, and other statutes relating to electronic media. It should be understood that this policy does not preclude enforcement under federal and local laws and regulations.
