JISC

Any organisation that promotes the use of electronic communications should also consider how users can be helped to ensure their use is as safe as possible. Technical safety measures exist and can provide useful, though not infallible, protection. As in the physical world, educating and supporting users in safe behaviour is likely to be the most effective and longest-lasting measure. Smarter and better informed users are likely to be better able to handle all types of threat.  

Why this issue is important to everyone who uses electronic communications?

All types of communication can be both used and misused. In this respect the electronic communications systems now widely used in education are no different from any other, though the ease and immediacy of communication may mean some types of misuse have greater impact.

Any organisation that promotes the use of electronic communications should also consider how users can be helped to ensure their use is as safe as possible. Technical safety measures exist and can provide useful, though not infallible, protection. As in the physical world, educating and supporting users in safe behaviour is likely to be the most effective and longest-lasting measure. Smarter and better informed users are likely to be better able to handle all types of threat.

Do you take care of your own electronic safety? Do you take care of your users’ safety?

The electronic world is just like the real world. We need to take the same care when using electronic communications as we do when User safety is ‘Internet self-defence’ – it’s not complex and involves often simple measures, however, responsible organisations need to support and promote it.
Brian Turtle – Director Belfast Institute of Further & Higher Educationcrossing the road.

Key issues in this area:

The following are key user safety issues. Many of the suggested solutions will be helpful against more than one type of threat.

• Scams (419s, phishing or spoofing, lottery wins etc) frauds are increasingly sophisticated and tempting; user education and awareness programmes are the best way to avoid being taken in 
• Illegal acts by users (eg copyright breach) there is a common attitude that actions online are not subject to the same laws and norms as in the physical world; Acceptable Use Policies and other guidance are needed to set standards of good behaviour 
• Inappropriate contacts: online encounters provide fewer clues to the identity of the other party; education about the ease of concealing identity may need to be accompanied by mentoring or study-buddy schemes for vulnerable or inexperienced individuals or groups 
• Harassment and bullying can be as frightening online as face-to-face; victims need to be able to report the problem and obtain support without feeling they are to blame or that their own access to  communications will be withdrawn 
• Masquerading and identity theft users need to protect their own personal information and think carefully before believing others’ claimed identities 
• Inappropriate materials content filtering software can restrict access, but will inevitably mis-classify occasional files or messages; policy and education is the best way to dissuade users from creating inappropriate (eg racist or sexist) messages 
• Malicious software (eg viruses and downloads) anti-virus software can be very effective (if kept up to date), but education gives the best protection against other types of malicious code

Other related issues documents 

• Legal Information 
• Training and Staff Development 
• Information Safety

Using electronic communications more, and more safely

The increased use of electronic communications has the potential for significant educational benefits. However, there are also concerns that electronic communications may be misused in a way that causes harm to their users. User safety requires a mixture of education, awareness and policies, technical measures and reporting and support. The sources listed below will help with each of these areas.

Further information

Education

• UKOnline have a useful list of DOs and DON’Ts for surfing the internet safely  
• The Office of Fair Trading publishes information on avoiding scams
• Security Factsheets (JaNet) include advice on viruses, junk mail, passwords and wireless networks 

Awareness and policies

• Guide to e-safety (Becta) a general approach combining awareness and policy with education and technical tools
• Internet policy template (Kent NGfL) written for schools though its principles have wider relevance. The website includes posters to support the good practice contained in the policy
• Information Security Toolkit (UCISA) information security policy starter kit and model regulations to support acceptable use

Technical measures

• Superhighway Safety information on firewalls, content filtering and other technical measures as well as advice on the safe use of internet services
• ITsafe information and alerts on technical safety issues as well as a library of articles on how various threats (eg viruses, phishing) work and can be defeated
• SURFnet (The Dutch research network) have an awareness campaign recommending simple measures that every computer user can take to protect themselves

Reporting and support

• Good practice models [PDF] (Home Office) for providing interactive services on the internet, including reporting and support services
• Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) provides a reporting point for illegal online content as well as links to other internet safety sites
• Get Safe Online information-rich website of resources on online security and protection, aiming to raise awareness of the Get Safe Online message

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