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The culture and politics of the organization
The type of organization
The nature and style of leadership
The extent and support of top management
The principal interest groups affected by the system
The kinds of tasks and decisions that the information system is
designed to assist
Information Technology Resource Policies
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson issued an executive order in July
2003 creating the state ’ s uniform information technology resources policy
for state agencies. The policy covers Internet and intranet use by state
employees, e - mail, and use of the state ’ s digital network. The executive
order permits the state to install software to “ monitor and record all IT
resources use, including e - mail and Web site visits. Staff shall have no
expectation of privacy while on the state ’ s Internet or intranet. ” The direc-
tive also prohibits employees from using IT resources for anything other
than offi cial state business. “Any staff members who violate the policy
are subject to immediate suspension and termination of access to IT
resources, as well as disciplinary action up to and including termination
of employment. ”
Vermont plans to monitor the Internet habits of its state employees.
Offi cials say monitoring ensures employee compliance with workplace
regulations and also protects the state ’ s computer network against viruses
spread by some Internet sites. State policy demands that employees be
notified they are being monitored. Before an employee can log on, a
window appears on every computer screen stating that the computer is
equipped with monitoring technology ( “ State to Monitor Workers ’ Web
Habits, ” 2007).
Protecting an agency ’ s computer system from viruses or spyware
is important. When a human resources employee at the Nature Con-
servancy in Arlington, Virginia, used his laptop to visit a sports Web
site, he inadvertently downloaded a spyware program that allowed the
software to retrieve personal and fi nancial information about thousands
of Nature Conservancy employees from his hard drive: names, home
addresses, Social Security numbers, payroll direct - deposit account num-
bers, bank routing numbers, and benefi ts and benefi ciary information
(Stephens, 2007).
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