Data logging of Students internet usage
Mr Murphy made this Official Information request to Alfriston College
The request was successful.
From: Mr Murphy
Dear Alfriston College,
This is a request for information, made under ss 4 and 5 of the
Official Information Act 1982 (“the Act”). I therefore would like
the following information;
1. How internet usage of students is stored.
2. How does the school or it's networks block or restrict access to the internet
3. Can teachers access students files.
4. Can the school or it's network admins in any way change, edit, or influence any sites accessed by students.
5. Any internal discussions or documents about or related to Data logging of Students internet usage.
6. How much does the school pay for it's internet bandwidth.
7. What is the school's policy for Tor.
8. What is the school's policy for VPNs.
9. What is the school's policy for 'Yik Yak' a social network.
I also request any internal discussions or documents about or related to the questions/subjects above.
Please CONFIRM receipt of this email to prevent unnecessary
follow-up emails and extensions being requested.
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Yours faithfully,
Mr Murphy
From: Robert Solomone
Alfriston College
Dear Mr Murphy
Thank you for your interest in our College.
Below are some initial responses to your request.
As part of our ICT contract, Internet usage of our students is monitored and managed by our external contractor, New Era Limited.
1. How internet usage of students is stored.
New Era manages our own servers which stores only school related student work and appropriate activity for the duration of the school year.
2. How does the school or it's networks block or restrict access to the internet
Our contractor manages this using their expertise and resources as they see fit in consultation with school leadership.
3. Can teachers access students files.
Teachers have access to student files stored on our servers.
4. Can the school or it's network admins in any way change, edit, or influence any sites accessed by students.
Access to sites are strictly monitored and managed.
5. Any internal discussions or documents about or related to Data logging of Students internet usage.
NA
6. How much does the school pay for it's internet bandwidth.
We pay CallPlus about $560 per month.
7. What is the school's policy for Tor.
Strict monitoring and restricted access.
8. What is the school's policy for VPNs.
No VPNs.
9. What is the school's policy for 'Yik Yak' a social network.
No access to Yik Yak and like social networking sites on school devices and related activities.
Kind regards
Robert Solomone
School Leader
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From: Robert Solomone
Alfriston College
Some additional detail:
1. Internet usage is stored on a FortiAnalyzer, a device purchased by the school to log and report on internet traffic of all users.
2. We use FortiGate, a firewall purchased by the school to control all connections coming in and out of the school.
3. Yes, Usually by request to the network administrator but teachers have access to the student's google drives' when the 'sharing' process is utilised.
4. This question varies a lot, what do you mean by this?
Can we change the way facebook is accessed? Can we change the way students log into office 365 via SSO?
We can block students access altogether if need be.
5. With Fortigate, monthly and weekly reports are generated and sent out to specific staff who deal with any malicious content or overuse that is found.
6. Nothing, the school is on N4L as provided by the government.
7. We don't endorse it at all, any student or staff found using Tor will be dealt with as decided by school administration
8. Under the cybersafety agreement that students and staff sign, this is considered bypassing the firewall and filtering and are also dealt with by School Administration
9. The school itself blocks Yik Yak via any internal networks. Students of course can use their own mobile data (3G/4G) to get around this, but a geofencing block has been setup by Yik Yak themselves to block anyone in the vicinity of the school from accessing it. This is to prevent bullying as that is what the app is commonly known for.
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