IT Code of Practice


The University of Sheffield has a dynamic IT environment, characterised by the free sharing of information. The purpose of these Regulations and Code of Practice is not to restrict the general openness experienced in a creative institution, but merely to safeguard certain essential activities of the University.
Throughout these webpages "computing facilities" means any computing facilities:
  • controlled by Corporate Information and Computing Services; or
  • owned by the University or any University company; or
  • situated on University premises;
and "Head of Department" means the Head or Chairman of the Department which controls the facilities or the premises on which the facilities are situated.
Regulations regarding the use of University computing facilities
The use of computing facilities requires authorisation in accordance with Regulations 1, 2 and 3.
University Open Access computing facilities must be used solely for study related purposes between 9.00am and 5.00pm (or at any other time, if there are no machines free).
The password to a user's account is the key to the security of information, and more generally the integrity of the network system.
Users must recognise that the resources of the University's network are limited and take due account of this in any use of the system.
Computers are only machines and will fail at some point. It is recommended that information be copied regularly to backup media.
Users must comply with the terms of software licence agreements, copyright and contracts.
All proper precautions should be taken to protect the physical security of equipment and information.
When equipment is no longer of use it must be fully decommissioned.
Regulation 4 prohibits the misuse of computing facilities.
Breach of the Regulations is dealt with under Regulation 6.

17 November 09