Policy on the use of Electronic Mail and the Internet From: all@usgs.gov Message-Id: <199607111556.LAA02107@igsrsparc4.er.usgs.GOV> X-Sender: all@usgs.gov (Unverified) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 11:57:52 -0300 To: "USGS Employees" Subject: Policy on the use of Electronic Mail and the Internet X-Mailer: In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 201 MEMORANDUM July 8, 1996 To: All U.S. Geological Survey Employees From: Barbara J. Ryan //signed// Associate Director for Operations Subject: Policy on the use of Electronic Mail and the Internet The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance concerning appropriate use of the network (especially the Internet and DOINET) and electronic mail (e-mail) systems. These systems give us access to a virtually unlimited supply of resources and information, but with this access comes special responsibilities. Any activity involving Government time and equipment must be consistent with the official use rules which apply to all Government resources. The Department of the Interior has developed guidelines for acceptable use of network systems; these guidelines are included in this memorandum, along with clarification specifically regarding the use of e-mail. Network resources provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are to be used for official purposes only. In general, employees are expected to exercise common sense, good judgment, and propriety when using these Government resources. In addition, the following specific rules apply: 1. You may not access the accounts and files of others without permission. 2. You may not attempt to bypass restrictions, subvert security, or impair the functionality of the network, and you may not assist others in such actions. Sharing passwords is considered a violation of this rule. 3. You may not use or distribute information improperly or illegally. This includes copyright violations such as software piracy. 4. You may not use the network for commercial purposes or in support of illegal activities, nor may you use it for personal business. For instance, you may not use it to apply for a Government position, to transmit information related to the filing of a personal grievance, or to relay your personal opinions about a management action or policy to a broad internal audience or to an external audience such as elected officials. While these activities may relate to your employment, they are not the business of the Government. Also, you may not use the network to distribute information about non-official activities such as charitable events, religious observances, fund raisers, or political events, nor may you use it for chain letters or other non-official correspondence. Browsing the Internet provides us with a versatile, real-time reference capability. However, you must avoid the temptation to use large amounts of time to "surf the net" for subjects which may have no relation to your job. While exploration of the Internet is encouraged to build skills and locate useful information sources, you should restrict your exploration to access materials which relate to your official duties and not those which pertain to your personal interests, hobbies, etc. You should remember that when you access and use the network, you are a representative of the USGS, and you should conduct yourself in a manner that reflects credit on this organization. Electronic disseminations which reflect personal comments, internal disagreements, and/or unofficial opinions regarding USGS policies should be treated as sensitive information and should not be made available to anyone outside the USGS via e-mail or Internet without official approval. This restriction does not apply to uses that are part of the normal open exchange of scientific information, such as communicating the preliminary results of investigations or participating in network discussions regarding scientific issues. The USGS regards e-mail messages created with Government resources to be Government property. The USGS e-mail is no less an official document than is a signed memorandum or letter, and e-mail correspondence can be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act or any legal proceeding. While we will not condone the reading of users' mail on a casual basis, you should not have an expectation of complete privacy when using a USGS e-mail system. System administrators and others with special system-level access privileges are prohibited from reading e-mail of other users, unless doing so is necessary in their official capacity in order to resolve e-mail-related problems. Each USGS user of Government networks and e-mail has responsibility for making sure that the use of these resources is not abused. Please be aware that misuse of the Internet or e-mail systems can result in the same sanctions which apply to misuse of any Government resource--penalties ranging from an official warning to removal from the Federal service. Additional questions or comments should be directed to Bill Gossman, Acting Chief, Office of Program Support, at (703) 648-7200, your division administrative staff, or your servicing personnel office employee relations staff.