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