9:010-AP6 Email, Browser, and Malware Protection

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Purpose

This procedure establishes the District’s approach to protecting users, systems, and data from email-based threats, unsafe web content, and malicious software while supporting instructional and operational needs.

Scope

This procedure applies to:

District-managed email systems
Web browsing conducted on District-owned or District-managed devices
Software and files accessed through District technology resources
Authorized users of District technology systems

Procedure

I. Guiding Principles

The District’s email, browser, and malware protection practices are guided by the following principles:

Prevention of unauthorized or harmful activity
Protection of student and staff information
Support for safe and appropriate instructional use
Compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements
Balance cybersecurity, student safety, legal compliance, age-appropriate access, and legitimate instructional or operational needs

II. Email Protection

Technology staff implement and maintain controls designed to:

Reduce exposure to phishing, spam, and malicious messages
Limit delivery of harmful or deceptive content
Support safe and authorized use of District email systems

Specific filtering methods, configurations, review intervals, and response workflows are maintained as internal operational documentation.

III. Web Browser Protection

Technology staff implement safeguards intended to:

Restrict access to unsafe or inappropriate web content
Support age-appropriate and instructional use of online resources
Monitor for indicators of potentially harmful web activity

Content categorization, enforcement practices, review intervals, and exception workflows are maintained internally and may vary by user group based on age, role, instructional need, operational need, and risk.

IV. Malware Protection

Technology staff maintain protective measures to:

Detect and prevent malicious software
Limit the impact of potentially harmful files or applications
Reduce the risk of system compromise or data loss

Specific detection methods, response actions, escalation steps, and review intervals are maintained as internal operational documentation.

V. User Responsibilities

Users of District technology resources are expected to:

Use email and web access in accordance with District policies
Exercise reasonable care when interacting with messages, links, and files
Report suspected security concerns through established channels

VI. Review and Coordination

The Technology Department:

Reviews email, browser, and malware protection practices on a schedule established in internal operating procedures
Maintains documentation sufficient to demonstrate review, follow-up, exceptions, approvals, and remediation actions
Maintains an administrative log of approved filtering exceptions
Reviews approved filtering exceptions at intervals appropriate to the risk
May modify or revoke approved exceptions when security, legal, instructional, or operational conditions change

VII. Exceptions

Exceptions to this procedure must be documented, justified by instructional need, operational need, or technical limitation, approved by the Superintendent or designee, and reviewed at intervals appropriate to the risk.

VIII. Compliance and Review

Failure to comply with this procedure may result in revocation of access, disciplinary action, or other corrective measures.

This procedure shall be reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in law, Board policy, technology, cybersecurity risk, or District operations.