MurdochNet Policy

Section 2 INTRODUCTION

Section 2.3 Environment of MurdochNet

The IT Strategic Plan (2000-2002) had as one of its six Planning Goals “Increase our Effective Utilisation of the World Wide Web”. To enable that goal and its attendant objectives to be met, the computing and networking environment upon which MurdochNet is based needs to meet appropriate standards of availability, reliability and security.

MurdochNet functions in an environment where organisation units and resource areas take responsibility to ensure that:

Computers Used to Run Web Servers

•  are reliable, responsive and secure
•  are only accessed by authorised persons
•  are housed in physically secure and physically appropriate locations
•  are provided with hardware and software to minimise fluctuations in and failures of power supply
•  are subject to regular maintenance, with associated record keeping
•  are replaced in a timely manner to ensure continuing service at an acceptable level
•  have their operating systems upgraded as required
•  have security patches applied to the operating system as necessary
•  and are running only authorised software (ie. software required to deliver MurdochNet Content)

Web Server Software

•  is backed up adequately
•  is upgraded as required
•  has security patches applied as necessary
•  is available on a 24x7 hourly basis
•  is managed to University standards
•  uses Secure Servers (SSL) with Digital Certificates (IDs) as necessary
•  and any associated software applications and software libraries are maintained and updated as required

University Content

•  is hosted on, or made accessible via MurdochNet Servers
•  is backed up adequately
•  is accessed via appropriate security if of a confidential or sensitive nature
•  is prepared in such a way as to maximise usability / navigation
•  is maintained to ensure accuracy and currency of information
•  uses text and images appropriate to identified target audiences
•  follows guidelines re accessibility/usability for MurdochNet users with disabilities
•  does not contribute to excessive use of bandwidth
•  has links (ie. links to University, Associated, and Foreign Content) maintained regularly to ensure accuracy, currency and persistence
  

Applications & Tools

• are hosted on, or made accessible via MurdochNet Servers
•  have been developed using appropriate standards and documentation
•  are backed up adequately
•  are accessed via appropriate security if of a confidential or sensitive nature
•  are prepared in such a way as to maximise usability / navigation
•  use text and images appropriate for identified target audiences
•  have links (ie. links to University, Associated, and Foreign Content) maintained regularly to ensure accuracy, currency and persistence