Policies and standards
Policies and standards are rules and protocols that govern the use of technology. Policies are rules enforced in order to ensure that computers and software are used properly and to prevent abuses. Standards are codes and protocols that are agreed on to make the implementation and usage of technology consistent between different parties.
Contents
Layman's Definition
A policy is a set of rules for using technology. A policy could exist in a school, workplace, or it could be enforced by law.
A standard is a convention that has been widely agreed upon. Standards are necessary because they make things uniform, seamless, and consistent. Standards make sure that everything works together properly.[1]
Explanation and Social Significance
Policies
Policies are implemented widely across all fields, including IT. Policies are necessary to make sure that, when people use technology, they do not abuse it or break the rules regarding to the . This can include a company limiting computers for work use only, preventing users from installing software, and disallowing usage of peer-to-peer technology. On a larger scale, policies could extend as far as a nationwide level. Child pornography laws are an example of this, as they are enforced by the government on all of the United States. The methods for enforcing policies can vary widely. Some policies are provided by governments and enforced as law, such as the previously mentioned child pornography law and the Federal Communications Commission enforcing policies about what can be broadcast over public airwaves.[2] They could also be rules enforced by a workplace, school, or on public computers. Additionally, some policies are simple guidelines established for better use of technology, but not enforced by any body.
Standards
Many standards exist in the IT world, and the extent that a standard is agreed upon vary widely. Protocols are standards that govern the handling and transfer of data by computers, and are essential for making sure IT components work together properly. Protocols are necessary for many important aspects of computing, and form the backbone of the internet. All data transfers over the internet use the TCP/IP protocols, which are standards for online communication.[3] These are some of the most prevalent standards in the technology world. Other standards are not as universal, but are still important. A company, for example, may have a standard for saving and sending documents. Everybody in the company would agree to save their documents in a particular format using a particular program, ensuring that work done on one computer can be used on any computer at any of the company's offices around the world.
Examples of Policies and Standards
Acceptable Use Policy
An Acceptable Use Policy governs use of technology in many workplaces, educational facilities, and public computers. These are widely found and used to ensure that users of technology follow the established rules. If a business provides public WiFi access to their customers, they may have an acceptable use policy that users must agree to. This would make sure that users do not, for example, illegally download copyrighted music or movies over the business's network. Some buisnesses also have polocies against their workers going to certain sites, for example myspace, and facebook.
ISO
The International Organizhe world.[4] This includes commercial and industrial standards, methods for procedures and measurements, and many other specifications. While these are not enforced my the government, many ISO standards are used universally. ation for Standardization (ISO) is an organization that provides policies and standards for much of the world
BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a protocol for peer-to-peer transmission of data. This protocol allows for fast, efficient transfer of large amounts of data, based on it's distributed nature. Users are both downloading one part of a torrent and uploading another part at the same time.[5] This standard for data communication is used widely on the internet and is one of the fastest way to download a large file. However, there are many polocies and standards against downloading and uploading illegal content.
References
- ↑ Standard - Wikipedia.(n.d) Retrieved September 21, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard
- ↑ About the Federal Communications Commission. (April 28, 2008). Retrieved September 11, 2008, from http://www.fcc.gov/aboutus.html
- ↑ Introduction to TCP/IP. (n.d.) Retrieved September 21, 2008, from http://www.yale.edu/pclt/COMM/TCPIP.HTM
- ↑ About ISO. (n.d.). Retrieved September 11, 2008, from http://www.iso.org/iso/about.htm
- ↑ BitTorrent FAQ and Guide. (10 May 2003). Retrieved September 21, 2008, from http://www.dessent.net/btfaq.
Authors
Hugh Thomas
Patrick T
