This document has been prepared to define the rules that must be followed by everyone using the University's computer network and Internet services.
This policy applies to all academic and administrative staff, as well as all students who benefit from the services provided by the Information Technology Department of Siirt University (e.g., network connectivity, Internet access, etc.).
All infrastructure, hardware, network, Internet, and information system services required by academic and administrative units within the University are managed and maintained by the Information Technology Department.
To ensure the continuity of healthy and effective information communication and maintain information security, all users are required to comply with the following usage rules.
The University's computer network receives Internet services through the National Academic Network (ULAKNET) with limited resources and primarily serves academic, administrative, educational, and research purposes. Personal use of network resources must never interfere with other users' primary network access requirements (academic, administrative, educational, research, etc.).
According to Article 5 of the Regulation on Procedures and Principles Regarding the Recovery of Public Losses, public officials are responsible for ensuring that public resources are acquired, managed, used, protected, and maintained effectively, economically, efficiently, and in compliance with the law, and that necessary measures are taken to prevent misuse and keep them ready for service at all times.
Pursuant to Copyright Law No. 5846, the transfer, copying, and distribution of copyrighted files are prohibited. File-sharing (peer-to-peer) software used for sharing movies, unlicensed software, and similar content not only violates copyright laws but also consumes excessive bandwidth, reducing available network resources and causing traffic congestion. Therefore, such software must not be used.
The use of network resources for personal financial gain or commercial purposes is prohibited.
Any activity that enables the University's network resources to be used from outside the University or allows external users or computers to appear as if they are within the University network (e.g., DHCP, DNS, proxy, relay, NAT services) is prohibited. Such implementations may only be performed by authorized Information Technology Department system administrators when necessary.
Users must respect the personal rights of other users on the network and must not engage in activities that threaten the security of personal information (e.g., monitoring network traffic packets).
Users are not permitted to interfere with, modify, or reconfigure network infrastructure equipment (such as switches, cables, wall outlets, etc.). Such operations may only be performed by authorized network administrators of the Information Technology Department.
Users may not connect active network devices (such as switches, hubs, modems, or wireless access points) to the network without prior authorization from the Information Technology Department.
The installation or operation of software or hardware services over the network is prohibited (e.g., server software, file-sharing software, malware, viruses, Trojan horses, etc.).
Any individual who becomes aware of a violation of these rules is responsible for reporting it to the relevant authorities.
Users are required to install licensed antivirus software on their personal devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.) connected to the network and keep both operating systems and applications updated with the latest security patches.
Users must utilize the licensed antivirus software provided by Siirt University on University-owned computers (see Licensed Antivirus Policy).
Computers should not be shared over the network unless absolutely necessary. If sharing is required, access must be protected with a password in accordance with the Password Security Policy.
To prevent malware infections from websites, the security settings of Internet browsers (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, etc.) should be configured above the medium security level.
Siirt University has prepared the "Internet Usage Policy" document to define the rules that users of the University's information resources must comply with under Law No. 5651 and related regulations.
The rules regarding e-mail usage are defined in detail in the "E-Mail Security Policy" document.