Ways to manage access
There are a number of questions that must be answered through appropriate policies and practice, for example:
- Who is allowed access?
- For what purpose is access granted?
- What do users get access to?
- From where is access available?
- How is use monitored?
The Scottish Schools Digital Network (SSDN) project will assist with these issues through making available in schools an environment that facilitates controlled and managed access to the internet. There remains, however, a local requirement to manage services and the policies surrounding these on an ongoing basis.
Addressing access issues will require a combination of approaches blending technological measures, policy and good practice. This section outlines a number of the technological solutions that can form part of a consistent strategy to provide safe internet access.
Here are examples of measures that can be used.
- Firewalls can block access to certain services. For example, a firewall could block access to all chat facilities or could prevent unauthorised access from outwith the local network.
- User authentication and monitoring software can be used to ensure that only recognised users are allowed access to the system and to provide reports about attempted violations.
- Web filtering and blocking software can prevent access to offensive material.
- Email filtering software can block offensive incoming and outgoing mail and provide reports regarding inappropriate use.
- Anti-virus software can identify and protect against programs that could make changes to the computer system.
It should be noted that there are now technologies, such as mobile phones, that allow visual communication and internet access outwith school, home and community venues, and on which use is not constrained by filtering software or adult supervision. Education authorities and schools should consider issues such as the creation, sharing or printing of offensive digital images that this type of technology may introduce into the school environment.
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