Appendix A: Examples of Acceptable Network and Device Use (Non-Exhaustive List)
Date modified: 2022-05-03
Hierarchy
Appendix A. Examples of Acceptable Network and Device Use (non-exhaustive list)
A.1 Effective Date
- A.1.1These take effect on April 1, 2020.
- A.1.2These replace Appendix B: Acceptable Use (non-exhaustive list of examples) of the Policy on Acceptable Network and Device Use (October 1, 2013).
A.1 Examples
- A.2.1These examples provide details in support of requirement 4.4.3.15.1 of the Directive on Service and Digital.
- A.2.2Open access to the Internet, including Government of Canada and external Web 2.0 tools and services, can assist authorized individuals to conduct the business of government more efficiently and effectively. The acceptable use of Government of Canada electronic networks, devices and internal and external Web 2.0 tools and services support public servants in their work duties, enhance collaboration and networking with their peers, augment professional development opportunities and enable limited and reasonable personal use during work hours.
- A.2.3As well, informing users of expected behaviours when using networks, devices and Government of Canada and external Web 2.0 tools and services will help them to protect against potential confidentiality or privacy breaches and to comply with the Policy on Government Security, the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity, the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and other related Treasury Board policies and departmental codes of conduct and policies.
- A.2.4The following are non-exhaustive lists of examples of acceptable use of internal and external Web 2.0 tools and services that could be conducted via Government of Canada electronic networks and devices.
- A.2.5Work-related and Professional Development Activities
- A.2.5.1Conduct consultations within the federal government via internal wikis and forums to support the development of policies and programs;
- A.2.5.2Share knowledge and information intra- or inter-departmentally to support planning and decision-making or facilitate project collaboration;
- A.2.5.3Perform research through accessing online reports, presentations, and data-sets;
- A.2.5.4Watch online broadcasts of work-related content, such as a parliamentary committee meeting via ParlVU;
- A.2.5.5Remain up-to-date with official announcements published on social media platforms by federal departments and agencies, provincial or municipal governments, or international jurisdictions or organizations;
- A.2.5.6Document corporate knowledge on Government of Canada wikis to facilitate employee orientation and knowledge transfer;
- A.2.5.7Participate in a video or audio conference with colleagues or clients from other organizations or jurisdictions through tools such as Skype or Google Hangouts;
- A.2.5.8Develop and share code repositories in collaboration with departments, other jurisdictions and private sector organizations via code sharing tools such as GitHub;
- A.2.5.9Leverage expertise from across government by creating or participating in online communities of interest on topics of shared professional interest such as #w2p (Web 2.0Practitioners community);
- A.2.5.10Access or share unclassified information through cloud-based tools such as Slide-Share;
- A.2.5.11Collaborate on joint initiatives and projects, via open discussions or closed groups as appropriate, with other departments and levels of government through the use of wikis, professional networking applications, internal tools such as GCdocs or external cloud-based tools such as Google Docs;
- A.2.5.12Maintain an up-to-date profile on professional networking sites such as Linkedin;
- A.2.5.13Follow thought leaders and government officials on blogs or micro-blog such as Twitter;
- A.2.5.14Tweet, re-tweet or share links to professional activities and events, or interesting and relevant articles;
- A.2.5.15Read, contribute to, or edit articles in work-related wikis, online forums or discussion groups;
- A.2.5.16Discuss professional issues or participate in professional associations via online forums or social networking sites;
- A.2.5.17Participate in online professional training activities (e.g. webcasts, online learning products via CSPS, podcasts);
- A.2.5.18Find a colleague or client's contact information or directions to a meeting;
- A.2.5.19Make arrangements for work-related travel, including booking tickets and searching for information about accommodations via Government of Canada or third-party travel review services; and
- A.2.5.20Complete an online job application or participate in an online interview.
- A.2.6Examples of limited personal use that is conducted on personal time, that is not for financial gain, that does not incur any additional costs for the department, and that does not interfere with the conduct of business include:
- A.2.6.1Search for information online;
- A.2.6.2Keep up-to-date with news and current events;
- A.2.6.3Subscribe to Web feeds (such as RSS) ;
- A.2.6.4Get directions for a trip or search for addresses and contact information;
- A.2.6.5Make personal travel arrangements;
- A.2.6.6Post or read ratings/reviews of products or services or make online purchases;
- A.2.6.7Check the weather forecast;
- A.2.6.8Confirm bus schedule information;
- A.2.6.9Pay bills or conduct personal banking online;
- A.2.6.10Read or contribute to online forums, blogs, discussion groups, or wikis on topics of personal interest;
- A.2.6.11Update a personal blog, micro-blog, social networking page, or Web page that is for non-commercial purposes or does not otherwise constitute Unacceptable Use as per Appendix D; and
- A.2.6.12Visit social networking sites to connect with family and friends.