btec level 3 business unit 4 p5, p6 and m2

Introduction
In this assignment, I will be explaining the legal, ethical and operational issues in
relation to the use of business information. My chosen business is Barking and
Dagenham collage. I will also be analysing the legal, ethical and operational
issues with the use of appropriate examples. Summary/conclusion will be given
on what I have learnt whilst doing this task.
Legal Issues Data Protection Act (1998) is one of the legislation that businesses
have to follow. According to http://ico.org.uk/for_organisations/data_protection “If
you handle personal information about individuals, you have a number of legal
obligations to protect that information under the Data Protection Act
1998”.Barking and Dagenham collage uses the Data Protection Act as they are
not allowed to provide students and their guardians with certain information.
Once a student signs their agreement of the Data Protection Act slip, it confirms
that they are not allowed to provide anyone who is not working in the collage
with their personal information because it is risky. This is includes both electronic
files (online) and paper files. Barking and Dagenham collage holds and process
information about their staff, students and other data subjects for academic,
administrative and commercial purposes. Barking and Dagenham collage is then
not obliged to pass on any information to anybody else they will be breaking the
law. Therefore, they have a duty to handle people’s personal details fairly and
lawfully. Barking and Dagenham collage tries to follow this act, for example, they
keep the electronic documents save by using password protection. Paper files are
kept in a key and lock cabinet. They ensure people’s personal information is not
lying around for anyone to have access to it. However, information can be access
on a’ need to know base’. For example, if any student is in danger and police
want to see information about the student, the collage can give out the
information.
Freedom of Information Act 2000 The freedom of information act was put in place
to provide individuals or organisations with the right to request information held
by a public authority. This means that the public authority must tell students
whether Barking and Dagenham collage holds the information. Barking and
Dagenham collage must provide students with the held information within 20
working days. The law obliges that any member of the general public is allowed
to access to any recorded information. This act includes the right to access
information held by public authorities. This is when person requests information
to the public authority, the authority has to be informed in writing by the public
authority whether it holds information of the description specified in the request,
and if that is the case, to have that information communicated back to them.

Ethical Issues
 Computer Misuse Act

The Computer Misuse Act was put in place to help stop the prevention of
hackers from hacking in to computers and software’s. Barking and
Dagenham collage obey with this act by installing various security
software to their system in order to avoid any possible hackers. The
ethical issues that Barking and Dagenham collage has to deal with include
use of emails and the internet. -

,  Internet

The internet is a valuable source of information and resources. Examples
of acceptable use include carrying out research and using authorised
software and hardware for collage and individual benefits. Only those with
agreement may access Barking and Dagenham collage computing
facilities. Security is maintained through the use of personal passwords
which should be stored securely and changed on a regular basis. Private
Use: Reasonable personal use of computing facilities is allowed where
there is no conflict with collage objectives and where there is no impact
on work needs. All computer activity is subject to monitoring. -

 email

Barking and Dagenham collage Email policies suggest that it is not wise to
send confidential documents by email. This is because e – mails are not a
secure system of communication. In addition to this, e - mails can be read
by other people, either internal students or external.

Operational Issues
 Information Security

Barking and Dagenham collage controls information by making sure the
information is secured monitored and cannot be hacked into. Barking and
Dagenham collage recognises that information, systems and networks are
valuable resources and that the management of personal data has
important suggestion for individuals. The collage will facilitate the secure
and continuous flow of information, both within the collage and in external
communications.

 Backing Up

Barking and Dagenham collage has a lot of information in their system
such as student and teacher files. For the amount of information and data
that Barking and Dagenham collage has, it is right that they should be
careful and back these files up to prevent data being lost in future.
Barking and Dagenham collage backs up their data every hour; this is
done through the IT department. They use a very trusted and high
capacity system in order to keep up with the high demand of data.

 Health & Safety

The college has to ensure that all of their students and staff are complying
with the health and safety regulations. These health and safety
regulations concern the use of devices that are used when using a PC.
Barking and Dagenham collage obeys these regulations by encouraging
good position to their students and staff whilst working in front of their
computers. This means they should be physically ready to learn and have
the right attitude when in collage place. They also provide students and
staff with suitable computer chairs that are adjustable for them, this
means they can be comfortable and not worry about their health and
safety