When state materials, equipment and resources are put
to personal use, they must be replaced sooner, causing a drain on agency
funds. Honest, ethical employees, nevertheless, often use state copy
machines, stationery, pens and pencils, typewriters, and other state
property as if they were their own private property, never considering
that the combined cost of all employees' using state materials and
equipment for personal use may be millions of dollars yearly. Since
employees, too, are taxpayers, they also should be concerned about high
government costs that could be avoided by careful use of state materials
and equipment purchased with tax dollars. Although failure to realize
individual responsibility for economical use of state property may seem a
minor flaw in an otherwise excellent employee, the direct dollar loss for
property and material abuse is large. The conscientious employee will take
care to make distinctions between what materials are for state work and
what is considered personal property. Statutory Reference: KRS
11A.020.
IT Resources
State employees in doing their jobs have access to the
Commonwealth of Kentucky's Information Technology Resources which include
data, computers, and network resources. Most employees view, edit, change
or access these resources by using information technology resources such
as desktop computers, mainframe terminals, network servers, portable
devices, office productivity software or database systems. Each employee,
as the originator, custodian, or user of data, is responsible for ensuring
that the data under their direction or control is properly identified and
safeguarded according to its sensitivity, proprietary nature and
criticality. Employees are further responsible for ensuring that sensitive
data, whether it is in written form or on a computer hard disk, tape or
diskette, should be kept secure at all times. Employees are permitted to
use only the information technology resources and information for which
they are authorized. Records created using the state's data resources,
including but not limited to e-mail, may be subject to inspection by the
employer or under the Open Record Laws. Use of the Internet and e-mail is
for facilitation of state business. Employees are responsible for
observing copyright restrictions and regulations. Employees should be
aware that their conduct using electronic communications can reflect on
the reputation of the Commonwealth. The use of the Internet for
pornography or gambling or any other unauthorized purpose is prohibited.
Employees are also forbidden to use e-mail for the purpose of racial or
sexual harassment or any other unauthorized purpose. Use of the Internet
or e-mail for personal business such as buying or selling of commodities,
for sending chain letters, or for soliciting money for religious or
political causes are examples of unacceptable use of the system. Any
employee who violates these rules is subject to disciplinary or legal
action by the Commonwealth of Kentucky under the Kentucky Computer Crime
Law, KRS Chapter 434.840-855. Violations or suspected violations of
computer security measures or controls should be reported at once to
management or those with the responsibility for computer
security.
This page was last edited on 1/19/05