Speedbrake Publishing

Typical Internet Acceptable Use
Policies for the Workplace

An Internet acceptable use policy is a set of rules or guidelines that define what activities are allowed on an organization's Internet-related resources. Such policies are based on a combination of the needs of the organization, the needs of those who work with the organization, and applicable laws or regulations. The policy should make all users aware of acceptable uses of the organization's communications resources and of prohibited or unacceptable uses. A general policy would typically cover the areas described below.

• Purpose
  A general statement that would tell a user why the policy was developed and who is responsible for administering the policy,

• Scope
  This would indicate what workers, organizations, and Internet activities were covered by the policy

• Responsibilities
  This section would indicate that the worker would be responsible for becoming familiar with the acceptable use policy and that the worker would be subject to organizational or legal consequences for violating the policy.

• General Principles
  Rather than focus on specific Internet activities, this section would focus on the broader organizational or legal issues that are associated with the use of the Internet within that organization.

• Encouraged Uses of the Internet
  These uses would be either work related uses of the Internet as well as rules for non-work related uses of the Internet.

• Unacceptable and Prohibited Uses of the Internet
  This section usually contains prohibitions against the kind of activities discussed in Ten Internet Activities You Should Not Do at Work.

• Listings of Related Documents or Resources
  This may refer to other company policies or to Web sites or other resources that would provide someone with additional insights.

• Acknowledgement
  Typically this is a signed statement that verifies that the person has been made aware of the acceptable use policy and understands that policy.