1. TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION
PUBLIC MEETING to
EXPLAIN and DISCUSS
TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION
and
INTERNET SAFETY

2. TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURES
The School District of Aiken County currently utilizes technology protection serving to establish a firewall for all resources in the Local Area Network. We contract with the Total Traffic Control Company (TTC) and use their Lightspeed © filtering system. This system is CIPA compliant. It is a total solutions type of product, and has been successfully employed within the network for almost seven years. In addition to other features for web filtering, which was provided by the original system in this District, it is designed to remove spam from traffic – a function the original firewall filter did not have.
The District has employed internet web filtering from the time of first application for e-rate discounts
(around 1996 or 1997).

3. REQUIRED INCLUSIONS IN THE INTERNET SAFETY POLICY
Our existing Acceptable Use Policy – originated in 1996 – included various safety features for student use. However, it was a “notice” type policy relative to “do’s” and “don’ts” as well possible disciplinary consequences for misuse. It also applied across the board to employees (and still does).
The new regulations require more orientation-type training standards for internet conduct to be passed along to students on an annual basis.
Such measures and features for “safety” include
Access to inappropriate matter on the internet
Safety and security of minors when using electronic mail
and other social media [non-school concerns]
Electronic communications, whether allowed at school or not
Unauthorized access and hacking online
Technology matters to restrict access (as discussed)
Education about conduct and interactions with others
– social media.
Unauthorized disclosure of personal information online

4. OTHER MEASURES FOLLOWED . . . .
Internet Acceptable use policy acknowledgment – signed by all
new employees – applies to all areas of operations and use of
web and
Internet Acceptable use policy acknowledgment – appendix
in Code of Student Conduct – applies to all instructionally-related
uses of technology, software, hardware, web access, etc.
Separate agreement and consequences document for all
equipment used by staff or students, or brought on campus
by anyone, that has internal capability of accessing the internet
without going through the Districts LAN and firewall.
New training: State Department of Education requires
“band levels” for appropriate age group orientation.
This will be incorporated into early school year student
orientations.