Regulatory Developments

Last updated:

3 weeks 6 days ago

Blog Manager

One of Jisc’s activities is to monitor and, where possible, influence regulatory developments that affect us and our customer universities, colleges and schools as operators of large computer networks. Since Janet and its customer networks are classified by Ofcom as private networks, postings here are likely to concentrate on the regulation of those networks. Postings here are, to the best of our knowledge, accurate on the date they are made, but may well become out of date or unreliable at unpredictable times thereafter. Before taking action that may have legal consequences, you should talk to your own lawyers. NEW: To help navigate the many posts on the General Data Protection Regulation, I've classified them as most relevant to developing a GDPR compliance process, GDPR's effect on specific topics, or how the GDPR is being developed. Or you can just use my free GDPR project plan.

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Andrew Cormack

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Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015

Andrew Cormack

RUGIT CTSA.pdf

I was invited to speak at the Russell Group IT Directors' meeting yesterday, on the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and its implications for universities. My slides are attached to this post.

Most of the Act is concerned with human, rather than technology, issues but the Act does require universities and colleges to have "due regard for the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism". However, as I concluded:

The supporting guidance builds on existing policies, processes, etc.
- It recognises existing good practice (e.g. the Safe Campus Communities website and UUK's guidance on security-sensitive research materials)
- Jisc is working with BIS and the Association of Colleges to develop on-line staff awareness training
There doesn't appear to be any expectation that new technical "solutions" will be deployed

It's also been announced that the duty will be postponed for Higher and Further Education. According to the Commencement Regulations, for other specified authorities the Act will come into force on 1st July 2015, but no date has yet been set for HE and FE.