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Thousands of customers share VCCS information technology resources. Everyone must use these resources responsibly since misuse by even a few individuals has the potential to disrupt VCCS business or the work of others. Therefore you must exercise ethical behavior when using these resources.
State Law (Article 7.1 of Title 18.2 of the Code of Virginia) classifies damage to computer hardware or software (18.2-152.4), unauthorized examination (18.2-152.5), or unauthorized use (18.2-152.6) of computer systems as misdemeanor crimes. Computer fraud (18.2-152.3) and use of a computer as an instrument of forgery (18.2- 152.14) can be felonies. VCCS internal procedures for enforcement of its policy are independent of possible prosecution under the law.
VCCS information technology resources include mainframe computers, minicomputers, microcomputers, networks, software, data, facilities and related supplies.
Guidelines
The following guidelines shall govern the use of all VCCS information technology resources:
- Students must use only those computer resources that they have the authority to use. Students must not provide false or misleading information to gain access to computing resources. The VCCS may regard these actions as criminal acts and may treat them accordingly. Students must not use these resources to gain unauthorized access to computing resources of other institutions, organizations or individuals.
- Students must not authorize anyone to use their computer accounts for any reason. Students are responsible for all use of their accounts. Students must take all reasonable precautions, including password maintenance and file protection measures, to prevent use of their account by unauthorized persons. Students must not, for example, share their passwords with anyone.
- Students must use computer resources only for authorized purposes. For example, students may not use their accounts for private consulting. Students must not use computer resources for unlawful purposes, such as the installation of fraudulently or illegally obtained software. Use of external networks connected to the VCCS information technology resources must comply with the policies of acceptable use promulgated by the organizations responsible for those networks.
- Other than material known to be in the public domain, students must not access, alter, copy, move or remove information, proprietary software or other files (including programs, members of subroutine libraries, data and electronic mail) without prior authorization. The college or VCCS data trustee, security officer, appropriate college official or other responsible party may grant authorization to use electronically stored materials in accordance with policies, copyright laws and procedures. Students must not copy, distribute or disclose third party proprietary software without prior authorization from the licenser. Students must not install proprietary software on systems not properly licensed for its use.
- Students must not use any computing facility irresponsibly or needlessly affect the work of others. This includes:
- Transmitting or making accessible offensive, annoying or harassing material;
- Intentionally, recklessly, or negligently damaging systems;
- Intentionally damaging or violating the privacy of information not belonging to you;
- Intentionally misusing resources or allowing misuse of resources by others;
- Loading software or data from untrustworthy sources onto official systems without prior approval.
Enforcement Procedures
- Faculty, staff and students at the college or VCCS should immediately report violations of information security policies to the college’s Associate Vice President of Administration and Operations who will research the information about the case and identify the offender. If state or federal law is apparently violated, then the research shall be conducted in conjunction with appropriate legal authorities in order to protect legal evidence.
- The College president will report any alleged violations of state and federal law to the appropriate authorities.
- If the alleged offender is a student, the Associate Vice President of Administration and Operations will follow the published student procedure for adjudication of the alleged violation.
- All formal disciplinary findings and actions taken under this policy may be pursued by the accused through the appropriate grievance procedure.
The full policy is online at https://es.vccs.edu/.
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