We use cookies to give you the best experience and to help improve our website

Find out more about how we use cookies

Choose whether to use cookies:

No thanks Yes, I accept

Skip to main content

Jisc

You are in:

  • Advice
  • Guides
  • Networking, computers and the law

Utilities:

  • Search the Jisc website
    Clear search results

Search the Jisc website
Clear search results

Navigation:

Guide

Networking, computers and the law

Archived
This content was archived in April 2023

About this guide

  • Published: 22 April 2015
  • Updated: 28 April 2021

View full guide as a single page

Contents

Networking, computers and the law
  • Network monitoring
  • Investigations
    • Guidelines for handling illegal material
    • Investigating copyright complaints
  • Disclosure of information to law enforcement
  • Logs and data collection
  • Laws relevant to networking and computing

Most of the daily activities of network and system managers are likely to be subject to the law. Most things the law require are, in any case, good practice in operating networks and systems.

This guide offers information and advice around:

  • Monitoring your network
  • Investigation of staff and students
     
    • Guidelines for handling illegal material
    • Investigating copyright complaints
  • Disclosure of information to police and other law enforcement
  • Logs and data collection

We have also outlined some of the laws that affect networking, which you may find helpful.

Information on current legal developments and our work to understand and influence them can be found on our regulatory developments blog.

A suggested charter for system and network administrators

This charter and practical examples should be useful to three groups: users who want to be assured the powers of administrators will not be abused; administrators who are concerned about the legality and implications of their actions; and managers to understand the reasonable requirements of the administrators' job and what activities they will be required to support.

Download the charter (pdf).

  • Network monitoring
  • Investigations
  • Disclosure of information to law enforcement
  • Logs and data collection
  • Laws relevant to networking and computing

Book Navigation

  • Network monitoring ›
Explore more on this topic
Legal
Security and access and identity management
Standards and policies

You are in:

  • Advice
  • Guides
  • Networking, computers and the law

Areas

  • Connectivity
  • Cyber security
  • Cloud
  • Data analytics
  • Libraries, learning resources and research
  • Student experience
  • Trust and identity
  • Advice and guidance

Explore

  • Guides
  • Training
  • Consultancy
  • Events
  • Innovation

Useful

  • About
  • Membership
  • Get involved
  • News
  • Jobs

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Cookies
  • Privacy
  • Modern slavery
  • Carbon reduction plan
  • Accessibility