The Universities and Colleges HE IT Code

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The University of Chichester recognises and supports the HE IT Code, all users of the University’s Systems, services and information must Comply with the HE IT Code, as well as complying with the University’s Electronic Information Security Policy  

Summary IT Code #

Governance: 

Don’t break the law 

Do abide by the University’s regulations and policies and to observe the regulations of any third parties whose fill facilities you access. 

Identity 

Don’t allow anyone else to use your access credentials or your University devices, don’t disguise your online identity and don’t attempt to obtain or use anybody else’s. 

Infrastructure: 

Don’t put the University’s IT facilities at risk by introducing malware interfering with hardware or loading or unauthorised software. 

Information: 

 

Safeguard personal data respect other people’s information and don’t abuse copyright material remember that mobile devices may not be a secure way to handle information. 

Keep devices you use safe from unauthorised use, work in safe places where you cannot be overlooked, and lock devices away when not in use  

You should set a lock-on-leave function if possible. See Bluetooth and Camera based facilities that can enable this. 

Behaviour: 

Don’t waste IT resources, interfere with others legitimate use, or behave towards others in a way that would not be acceptable in the physical world. 

 

The (full) HE IT code  #

The aim of these regulations is to help ensure that the University’s IT facilities can be used safely lawfully and equitably. The issues covered by these regulations are complex and you are strongly urged to read the accompanying guidance available at https://help.chi.ac.uk   

These regulations apply to anyone using the facilities (hardware software data network access third party services online services or IT credentials) provided or arranged by the University. 

1. Governance  #

  • When using IT, you remain subject to the same laws and regulations as in the physical world. 
  • It is expected that your conduct is lawful. Furthermore, ignorance of the law is not considered to be an adequate defence for unlawful conduct. 
  • When accessing services from another jurisdiction, you must abide by all relevant local laws, as well as those applicable to the location of the service. 
  • You are bound by the University’s general regulations when using the facilities available 
  • You must abide by the regulations applicable to any other organisation whose services you access 
  • When using services via Eduroam, Guest Wifi or other Campus (including) Halls of Residence Wifi you continue to be subject to the University’s regulations. 
  • When using Eduroam at a different institution, you are subject to BOTH the institutions regulations, and those of the University and Chichester.  
  • Some software licences procured by the University will set out additional, or specific obligations for the user. (some may not allow commercial, private or external use for example)  
  • Breach of any applicable law or third party regulation will be regarded as breach of these IT regulations 

2. Authority  #

  • These regulations are issued under the authority of the Director of Information and Learning Technologies who is also responsible for their interpretation and enforcement and who may also delegate such authority to other people 
  • You must not use the IT facilities without the permission of IT Services 
  • You must comply with any reasonable written or verbal instructions issued by people with delegated authority in support of these regulations. If you feel that any such instructions are unreasonable or are not in support of these regulations, you may make an appeal through the SIZ. 

3. Intended use  #

  • The IT facilities are provided for use in furtherance of the mission of the University, for example to spot a course of study, research or in connection with your employment by the University. 
  • Use of these facilities for personal activities (provided that it does not infringe any of the regulations and does not interfere with others’ valid use) is permitted, but this is a privilege that may be withdrawn at any point. 
  • Use of these IT facilities for non University commercial purposes or for personal gain requires explicit approval of the Director of Information and Learning Technologies. 
  • Use of certain licences is only permitted for academic use and where applicable to the code of conduct published by the combined higher education software team (CHEST) who are a part of UCISA (Universities and Colleges Information Systems Association). 

4. Identity  #

  • You must take all reasonable precautions to safeguard any IT credentials (for example a username and password, e-mail address, door/campus/ID/Printing smartcard card or other identity hardware issued to you. 
  • You must not allow anyone else to use your IT credentials 
  • Nobody has the authority to ask you for your password and you must not disclose it to anyone. 
  • You must not attempt to obtain or use anyone else’s credentials 
  • You must not impersonate someone else or otherwise disguise your identity when using the IT facilities. 

5. Infrastructure  #

You must not do anything to jeopardise the integrity of the IT infrastructure by, for example, doing any of the following without approval from the It Change Board; 

  • Damaging reconfiguring or moving equipment. 
  • Loading software on University equipment other than in approved circumstances. 
  • Reconfiguring or connecting equipment to the network other than by approved methods. 
  • Accessing University information or services, with personal devices that do not have security, to the standards set out by IT Services   
  • Setting up servers or services on the network 
  • Deliberately or recklessly introducing malware 
  • Downloading, or accessing AI software  
  • Attempting to disrupt or circumvent IT security measures 

6. Information  #

  • If you handle personal confidential or sensitive information you must take all reasonable steps to safeguard it and must observe the University’s data protection information security policies and guidance available at https://help.chi.ac.uk, Particularly with regard to removable media, mobile and privately owned devices. 
  • You must not infringe copyright or break the terms of licences for software or other material. 
  • You must not attempt to access delete, modify or disclose information belonging to other people without their permission or explicit approval from the Director of Information and Learning Technologies. 
  • You must not create download store or transmit unlawful material or material that is indecent, offensive, threatening or discriminatory. 
  • The University has procedures to approve and manage valid activities involving such material; where, for example, this is required for approved research. 
  • You must abide by the University’s publication and social media policies. 

7. Behaviour  #

  • Real world standards of behaviour apply online and on social networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X). 
  • You must not cause needless offence concerns or annoyance to others. 
  • You should also adhere to the University’s guidelines on social media. 
  • You must not send spam (unsolicited bulk e-mail) 
  • You must not deliberately or recklessly consume excessive IT resources, such as processing power bandwidth or consumables. 
  • You must not use the facilities in a way that interferes with others’ valid use of them 

8. Monitoring #

The University monitors and records the use of its IT facilities for the purposes of: 

  • The effective and efficient planning and operation of the IT facilities. 
  • Detection and prevention of infringement of these regulations 
  • Investigation of alleged misconduct 
  • Ensuring the Prevent duty of care 

The University will comply with lawful requests for information from government and law enforcement agencies. 

9. Infringement #

  • Infringing these regulations may result in sanctions under the University’s disciplinary processes. Penalties may include withdrawal of services and offending material will be taken down 
  • information about infringement may be passed to appropriate law enforcement agencies and any other organisations whose regulations you have breached. 
  • The University reserves the right to recover from you any cost incurred as a result of your infringement. 
  • You must inform SIZ if you become aware of any infringement of these regulations. 
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Updated on October 13, 2026