MurdochNet Policy - SummaryThe MurdochNet Policy was prepared by the MurdochNet Management Committee (MMC), a sub-committee of the Information Technology Steering Committee (ITSC) and approved on December 16th, 2003 by the Senior Executive. The Policy is a revision of the CWIS Policy, prepared by the CWIS Policy Sub-Committee of the Information Technology Policy Committee (ITPC) in 1996 and approved by Academic Council on January 29th, 1997 (Resolution 7/97). The task of revising the CWIS Policy began in 2001. As part of the revision process, the MurdochNet Management Committee adopted the term 'MurdochNet' to replace the acronym 'CWIS', that had been used at Murdoch since 1995 to refer to the University's Campus-Wide Information Service. MurdochNet is
The MurdochNet Policy is directed towards ensuring that end-users of MurdochNet have access to up to date, accurate, relevant information that is provided in a timely manner using consistent style and navigation features and offered reliably with appropriate security as required. The intent of the policy is to put in place a more secure and reliable environment for the delivery of Internet accessible information services and to better manage the Content offered by those services by adopting a range of Content management practices. The Policy defines the goals for MurdochNet as:
The Policy covers the management of:
The Introduction section of the Policy defines the use of the terms Servers, Content and Links within the context of MurdochNet. In the case of Servers, it groups Servers depending on whether or not they are using the Murdoch domain. For Content it identifies three broad categories, University Content, Associated Content and Foreign Content, and then for each category a set of subcategories (eg. University Content has a subcategory of teaching and learning material). The other sections of the Policy are:
Section 3. - Code of Conduct clarifies what is appropriate use of Servers, what is appropriate Content and what Links within Content are appropriate. Areas from the previous version of the policy that have been revised and expanded upon include advertising and sponsorship. The Code of Conduct also indicates in the section on misconduct, the action to take when Servers are used inappropriately, Content is hosted inappropriately, or when inappropriate Content or Links to inappropriate Content are reported. Section 4. - Server Management includes a requirement that all Web Servers run on computers on the Murdoch University Network be registered. The process of registration, as well as the information required for registration, such as computer hostname and approved Web Server alias, is described by the Policy. To manage access to Murdoch Web Servers from computers outside the Murdoch University Network, another requirement in the Policy is the authorisation of Servers to perform the role of Internet Content Host (ICH). This authorisation process is to be completed by the appropriate Head of Division (or their official nominee), or other nominated member of the Senior Executive. Registration of an Individual Web Server includes the completion of an online application form, in which an individual agrees to abide by the MurdochNet Policy Code of Conduct. Copies of authorised applications are retained by the Director, Office of Information Technology Services. Coordination in the area of Server Management is required to ensure that:
To that end, the Policy assigns responsibilities related to Server Management to a number of roles and positions, including the key role of Web Administrator. Similarly, in the area of Content Management, coordination is required to ensure that:
To that end, the Policy assigns responsibilities related to Content Management and Link Management to a number of roles and positions, including the key roles of Content Custodian and Web Liaison Officer. Section 5. - Content Management recommends a range of Content management practices and expands upon the area of Content preparation in detail. Twelve conventions for the preparation of Content are included. The Content Preparation Conventions are:
The Policy clarifies where and how legislation, policies, standards, guidelines and conventions apply, but not necessarily how they should be applied. The University is subject to legal requirements related to the provision of online information. The University is also potentially at risk both legally and technically in providing misleading or inaccurate information, hosting inappropriate Content, or through security breaches and Denial of Service attacks. The Policy refers to relevant Australian and Western Australian legislation, including Commonweatlth legislation such as:
and, Western Australian legislation such as:
The Policy refers to relevant University legislation, policies and notices, including:
The Policy also refers to international standards and guidelines related to the preparation of Content, such as those provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI). By implementing a policy that requires Content Providers to follow recommended standards and guidelines, the University aims to make its information resources and services accessible to end-users with disabilities as well as increasing the identification and retrieval of its information via search engines. Tasks related to the preparation, production, maintenance and publishing of Content, should be authorised by a Content Custodian. Associated with the Policy are a number of schedules. Schedule 1 lists a number of forms, including a form for authorising the publication of Content an a form to be used by individuals who wish to run a Web Server on the Murdoch University Network. The three sections, Server Management, Content Management and Link Management, include details of the responsibilities associated with a number of roles and positions. In Schedule 6 the following roles and positions are listed under one or more of the three sections.
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