Internet & Electronic Communications Policy

Employee use of Internet & Electronic Communications - Policy

Overview

Internet, e-mail, and other information resources are furnished by the company for business communications to help further our objectives of quality and customer satisfaction. Through these devices you are provided with access to networks around the world. You are encouraged to use these resources to further the goals and objectives of the company.

This policy provides direction and guidance to employees for productive business uses of ABX’s information resources while avoiding inappropriate, unethical, or unlawful activity.

Core Requirements

· Information Resources includes, but is not limited to, Internet access to the worldwide web; electronic communication (e-mail) transported over the Internet, Newsgroup membership subscription based information exchange forums focused on specific topics or themes; Intranet, ABX's internal web not accessible outside the organization; and other online systems, equipment, and software.

· All Internet and electronic transmissions are company property. ABX may, in its discretion, employ controls to ensure they are used only for business purposes. At a minimum, ABX will monitor and filter activity to determine compliance with this policy.

· Passwords are not intended to imply privacy of information or data but are intended to protect ABX and individuals by establishing responsibility for data transmitted using those identifiers.

· These resources may not be used for illegal or inappropriate purposes including, but not limited to, copyright infringement, viewing obscene material, fraud, defamation, plagiarism, harassment, intimidation, forgery, impersonation, gambling, or computer tampering (i.e. spreading computer viruses).

· Internet access should not be used for non-business reasons. Examples of prohibited activity include browsing web sites of personal interest; subscribing to news groups not directly related to ABX business; participating in "chat rooms" not related to ABX business; and conducting other personal business, such as ordering products via Internet.

· It is never acceptable to use the company's resource systems to access any pornographic or sexually oriented web site or to display or transmit any form of pornographic or sexually oriented images, jokes, or messages.

· All Internet-related software products must conform to corporate policies and must be installed and maintained in a legal and ethical manner.

It is required that users use supported software products (i.e., browsers) provided by ABX.

Employee Responsibility

· Use Internet resources only for business purposes and in a manner consistent with this policy.

· The Internet is a relatively uncontrolled environment. Exercise reasonable precautions when working with data obtained from the Internet, and do not assume that the information is valid or is in ABX's best interest.

· Before initially introducing data from the Internet to ABX's systems, visually inspect it and use virus checking software before transmitting it or copying it to other data storage areas.

· If you are unsure whether a proposed use is consistent with the mission of ABX, appropriately represents the company, or is consistent with policy, check with your supervisor.

· Take all necessary precautions to prevent unauthorized access to the Internet and e-mail services. Do not share your password with another person or attempt to obtain another user's password. If you have reason to believe that security has been compromised, report it to your supervisor.

· Do not view, copy, alter, or destroy data, software, documentation, or data communications belonging to ABX or to another individual without authorized permission.

Leadership Responsibility

· You are responsible for communicating and applying the principles of this policy.

· Take appropriate, fair, and consistent action if employees who report to you misuse the Internet or e-mail systems.