Privacy and Security
How safe is the Ultranet?
The Ultranet is not the same as the internet. It is a ‘closed community’ with controlled access. It also has a specific educational purpose – everything that students can do on the Ultranet supports their learning.
The Ultranet includes the following privacy and security protections:
- to access the Ultranet, authorised users must log in with a secure, complex password
- there are rules around who can access what information, and the types of users that can access each type of ‘space’ within the Ultranet
- no anonymous postings are possible in the Ultranet – all postings are logged and audited
- all learning communities on the Ultranet must be moderated by a teacher
- all users can report inappropriate content
- in addition to the filtered internet service available in each school, the Ultranet also contains filters for bad language.
All students, parents, teachers and staff will receive user guides outlining their rights and responsibilities in relation to privacy, before they access the Ultranet. Schools will also be provided with support materials to train staff in privacy matters, and for schools to use with students and parents.
Privacy Impact Assessment
A Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) of the Ultranet was undertaken between September 2009 and April 2010. The report noted the benefits of the Ultranet and, in addition, a number of recommendations to protect the privacy of all users.
For more information, see: UItranet Privacy Impact Assessment – Summary and Actions/Recommendations (PDF - 106Kb)
Student information in the Ultranet
- Apart from their name and photograph, only a student’s parents and teachers can view their information in the Ultranet. For further information, see: Student Photographs in the Ultranet
- No student contact details, health, medical, behavioural or welfare information will be stored on the Ultranet
- Teachers have been given clear guidelines on the use of student data in the Ultranet – the only purpose for which they can use the data is when it is necessary to fulfill their official teaching or pastoral care duties to that student
- Only legal parents/guardians may access individual student information in the Ultranet. Temporary or long-term suspension of parent access can be arranged in special circumstances to protect individual students.
Parent information in the Ultranet
- A parent’s name can be viewed in the Ultranet by their child, the teachers at their child’s school, and members of Community spaces that they choose to join
- Parents manage their own information and participation in the Ultranet
- Parent contact details are not available in the Ultranet
- Parents choose whether or not to participate in Community spaces with other parents and teachers in the Ultranet
- Where a family is separated, two separate logins can be created so that the parents do not need to see the other’s profile. Parents have full control over this process.
Teacher information in the Ultranet
- All teachers will have a profile on the Ultranet
- Teachers have full control over their own information and participation in the Ultranet
- Teacher contact details are not available to parents, or to students from other schools, in the Ultranet.
Teachers can access the Department's intranet for further information about how the Ultranet protects their privacy, see: eduGate (secure intranet site)
Where to raise concerns about parent or student privacy with the Ultranet
If you have any concerns about you or your child's privacy with the Ultranet please contact your child's school Principal.