❓ A parliamentary question addresses security concerns regarding laptop computers issued to teachers, focusing on theft prevention, data access policies, and the protection of student information. The Minister's response outlines existing policies and guidelines.
AnsweredQoN 938Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LAPTOP COMPUTERS, SECURITY
With the number of thefts of computers from schools increasing at an alarming rate and with the introduction of many thousands of laptop computers for teachers, I ask - (1) What extra security measures will be taken at the school level to dissuade thieves from breaking into schools and targeting laptops? (2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
With the number of thefts of computers from schools increasing at an alarming rate and with the introduction of many thousands of laptop computers for teachers, I ask - (1) What extra security measures will be taken at the school level to dissuade thieves from breaking into schools and targeting laptops? (2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(1) What extra security measures will be taken at the school level to dissuade thieves from breaking into schools and targeting laptops? (2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(1) What extra security measures will be taken at the school level to dissuade thieves from breaking into schools and targeting laptops? (2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(2) Will teachers be encouraged to take the computers home with them at the end of the day and at weekends to lessen the chance of theft? (3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(3) What is the Government’s policy on access to student records via teachers’ laptops? (4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(4) What is the nature of student information expected to be on teachers’ laptops? (5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(5) Can the minister assure parents that no confidential records will be copied, downloaded or saved onto teachers’ laptops, to guarantee that private information will not be in the public domain if a teacher’s laptop is stolen? Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
Hon G.T. GIFFARD replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, which contains a preamble that is not agreed to but is not addressed specifically in the answer. (1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(1) Notebooks are by their very nature mobile devices. Teachers are encouraged to treat the notebooks in the same way they would treat other mobile valuable belongings, such as handbags and wallets. It is a condition of issue that the notebook computer must not be left unattended in a classroom, vehicle or public place. (2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(2) Yes. (3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(3) The level and type of data stored on teachers’ notebook computers is anticipated to be no different from the material that teachers currently routinely take home in hard copy form. The notebook computer technology offers the option of increasing the security of this information through password protection of documents. (4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(4) The material expected to be stored on the notebooks is anticipated to be of a similar nature to that already in common use by the Department of Education’s teachers. (5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
(5) Teachers are subject to the existing DOE policies on information privacy and records management. Strategies have been developed and described in support material associated with the notebook computers for teachers program to help facilitate compliance with those policies.
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