Home Use of School Computers
Overview
District staff members currently take district-owned computers home during off-business hours to assist them with District initiatives. Computers that are checked out often return with problems caused by viruses and changes made to the operating system, software, network settings. Staff sometimes makes changes to the network software and configuration to comply with their personal Internet service providers. These network changes may prevent the computer from connecting to DPSNet when the computer is returned. Games and other software are installed that prevent job-related applications from working properly. In some cases viruses and worms infect these computers while they are running on unprotected networks or from unauthorized software installation. When the computers are returned the viruses and worms are then introduced into DPSNet and the District’s other computer systems.
Recommendation
The following guidelines must be followed for checked out computers:
- The staff member must have a business justification for checking out computers
- The computer must have the latest virus protection installed by the school support technician on the computer before it leaves the district
- No configuration or software changes will be made to the computer that will prevent it from operating on DPSNet when it returns to the district
- Standard testing and screening are required before reconnecting the district computer to DPSNet by the school support technician.
In addition, the staff member cannot expect to have district support from the Department of Technology Services while the computer is off-site.