Requirements for ICT in ECE services

Functional Requirements

The main functional requirements for ICT infrastructure in ECE Services are:

• The ICT infrastructure will readily support the applications children, educators, and administrators want to use.
• Access to the ICT infrastructure will be available throughout the Service
• The ICT infrastructure will be robust and reliable, and always available, so that users can have confidence in using it.
• The ICT infrastructure will be sustainable.
• Data will always be secured and the users always protected.

Technical Standards

AS/NZS standards and recognised international technical standards and specifications will be adopted and used.  Using recognised standards is the only way to ensure that compatibility and interoperability between ICT equipment and services within the ECE community can be maintained.

Underlying Requirements

The technical standards will specifically address factors which will ensure:

• Reliability Unreliability compromises the learning experience, frustrates the educator, and reduces confidence and ultimately use of the facilities.
• Compatibility Compatible ICT technologies will be deployed.  This includes equipment and services.
• Cost effectiveness The purchase cost of new ICT equipment is only part of the total cost of ownership.  Expected life, and support and maintenance costs will be factored into the decision making process.
• Maintenance, user support, and sustainability Users want to concentrate on educational and administration activities, and not have to worry about maintaining the ICT infrastructure.  Helpdesk and support services will be available at a reasonable cost.

Specific Requirements

• Service-wide access based on wired technology A network that delivers multimedia services is required.  Multimedia places heavy demands on the network (e.g. streaming video which needs to be handled intelligently). To meet these demands, wired networks will continue to form the foundation of ECE networks for the foreseeable future.
• Wireless access Wireless access will be used to complement access to the wired network
  Wireless network performance is inferior to wired network performance.  While wireless technology will provide the Service-wide and flexible access to the network, image-intensive applications and services place high bandwidth demands on a network which can presently only be met by a wired infrastructure.
• Internet access Broadband internet access is an essential element of the ECE ICT framework.  It will provide a tool for better communication with families and a gateway for parents to become more involved with the education of their children.  Web-based information systems provide an opportunity for a structured and managed learning experience, extending a child’s interest, and adding an extra dimension to their learning.
  Access to the internet enables educators to gather resources relevant to the ECE sector, to open up new or additional learning opportunities and access professional development.
• Remote Access To facilitate authorised access to data from outside the Service, VPN access may be necessary.  For example, educators might want to access teaching materials, children’s learning profiles, or administration data.  In some cases, Services may want to offer parents access to their child’s work and records.

Cybersafety

The network will protect the user from inappropriate content, and ensure data security and integrity.  ECE Services are responsible for protecting users from accessing inappropriate material on the internet and from the unsolicited delivery of inappropriate material by email or other means.

Content and email filtering systems will be implemented.
The use of email and internet services will be ‘appropriate and safe’.

Security of Information

Data will be stored securely and accessible only to authorised users of the network.

Appropriate Use Policies for ICT equipment and services will be implemented.  Proper user authentication methods to secure user data and to ensure physical security of the network infrastructure will be implemented.  The policies will be updated regularly to meet changing ICT infrastructure requirements.

Physical Security

The network will be secured using appropriate hardware and software techniques to prevent damage from both internal (the majority) and external attacks and to limit the damage from any successful attack. Making best use of the ECE Service’s ISP’s services and other community advice e.g. Netsafe, will help to reduce potential for external attacks.

Preservation of Information

System administrators will take appropriate measures to ensure that user data is backed-up and recoverable in the event of equipment failure, theft, or natural disaster.

Regular, at least weekly, back-up of user data and secure off-site storage will be facilitated by easy-to-use technology.  User data held on the network will be properly secured and access to that data strictly controlled.  While loss or corruption of educational data might be inconvenient, loss or disclosure of personal information may have far more sinister consequences.  Similar consequences will result from unauthorised access and theft of equipment.  Physical security of ICT equipment and network access will be regarded as the first essential to protection against theft and damage to equipment and sensitive information.