Internet filtering and blocking policies

The request was refused by Falmouth University.

Open Rights Group

Dear Falmouth University,

I am writing as a research volunteer at the Open Rights Group. We are conducting a study to better understand filtering and blocking of websites on the public estate, to understand what content and sites are inaccessible and why.

We would like to know, in relation to your publicly accessible Internet networks, or Internet networks for your clients:
1. The categories of content blocked or filtered, e.g.:
(a) Security or Malware
(b) Content types, eg adult, alcohol etc
2. Statistics relating to the requests blocked or filtered, eg how many site requests filtered or blocked per category
3. Monitoring requirements you have for users, eg if you record or may record their Internet usage

Yours faithfully,

James Collis
Researcher
Open Rights Group

Falmouth University

Dear Mr Collis,

FOI Reference: FOI00295

Thank you for your email requesting information under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) 2000. Please accept this email as acknowledgement
of your request dated 02/07/2018. Your request is being dealt with under
the terms of the FOIA and will be answered within twenty working days.
That is we will respond to you by 31/07/2018.

Our response will be by email unless you specified a preferred format in
your request.

If you have any queries about this request please do not hesitate to
contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any
future communications.

Kind regards,
Information Officer

Falmouth University, Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11
4RH

[1]www.falmouth.ac.uk/information-records-management

References

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1. http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/information-re...

Information Office, Falmouth University

6 Attachments

 

Dear James

 

Freedom of Information Request  reference number FOI00295

 

Thank you for your email dated  2^nd July  2018 requesting information
under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000. Please find below
details of your request and the response from Falmouth University (“we”
and “the University”). If you have any queries please do not hesitate to
contact me quoting the reference above.

 

Duty to Confirm or Deny

Please find below, details of your request and our response.

Your Request

“ I am writing as a research volunteer at the Open Rights Group. We are
conducting a study to better understand filtering and blocking of websites
on the public estate, to understand what content and sites are
inaccessible and why.

We would like to know, in relation to your publicly accessible Internet
networks, or Internet networks for your clients:

1. The categories of content blocked or filtered, e.g.:

(a) Security or Malware

(b) Content types, eg adult, alcohol etc

2. Statistics relating to the requests blocked or filtered, eg how many
site requests filtered or blocked per category

3. Monitoring requirements you have for users, eg if you record or may
record their Internet usage”

 

Response

It is the view of Falmouth University that compliance with your request is
exempt under sections  31 (1)(a), 31 (3) and 43(2) of the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 (‘FOIA’). Sections 31(1)(a) and 31(3) Prejudice the
prevention or detection of crime; and section 43(2) – prejudice the
commercial interests of the University.

 

The University takes the security of its networks and the risk of
cyber-attacks very seriously and we confirm we have appropriate controls
in place to protect our network.  There are a number of sites and content
types which are blocked in order to protect the network and those who use
our systems.  The University can neither confirm nor deny if data relating
to monitoring or statistics is held.

 

It is the view of the University that providing information relating to
the nature of the security measures in place on our networks could be used
to threaten its information systems. In the current climate we are
compelled to mitigate the risks posed by cybercrime. In addition,
providing this information would prejudice commercial interests as it
would increase the risk to our security and our ability to operate as a
commercial entity in the context of securing funding for related
activities.

 

As the above exemptions are qualified, we are required to undertake a
public interest test to examine if the public interest in favouring
disclosure outweighs the public interest in withholding it.

 

In favour of disclosure, we considered the principles of both transparency
and accountability in the way a public authority performs its functions. 
Opposing this, we considered the factors favouring the withholding of the
information, and this specifically relates to the nature of the exemption
concerning the prevention or detection of crime and the University’s
ability to operate as a  commercial entity.

 

There is a substantial public interest in crime prevention or detection of
crime and not facilitating any steps which are likely to prejudice the
prevention or detection of crime. In addition, there is a substantial
public interest in not endangering the University’s resilience to cyber
threats given the very real threat of attack. It is our assessment that in
all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the
integrity of our systems outweighs the public interest in disclosing the
requested information.

I hope that this information is of assistance.

Appeal Process

This response has been prepared in accordance with the FOIA. The supply of
documents under FOI does not give the person who receives the information
an automatic right to re-use the documents without obtaining the consent
of the copyright holder.

If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review.  Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
original email and should be emailed to: [1][email address] or sent in
writing to Peter Cox, Chief Operating Officer, Falmouth University, Penryn
Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, TR10 9FE.

Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision.  The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information
Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9
5AF.

Kind regards,
Information Officer

Falmouth University, Falmouth Campus, Woodlane, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11
4RH

[2]www.falmouth.ac.uk/information-records-management

 

 

 

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