By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have received a written copy of the Information Systems Acceptable Use Policy for the County of Morris, New Jersey. I understand that when using County of Morris information systems I will be accessing an information system (IS), including any device attached to this information system, that is provided for authorized use only. I understand that a violation of this policy could lead to discipline up to and including my dismissal from employment or even criminal prosecution.

If you have any questions regarding this policy or any situation not specifically addressed in this policy, see your Supervisor or the Personnel Director. This policy is subject to revision. The County of Morris will adequately post revisions, but it is the user’s responsibility to ensure that his/her use of the County of Morris computing and communications resources conforms to current policy and IT usage best practices.

You consent to the following conditions: 

1. The County of Morris routinely intercepts and monitors communications on information systems that connect to the County network for purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, network operations and security, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and criminal investigations.
    
2. At any time, the County of Morris may inspect and seize data stored on an information system connected to the County network.
    
3. Communications or data stored on a County-issued information system are not private, are subject to routine monitoring, interception, and search, and may be disclosed or used for any Morris County authorized purpose.
    
4. County-issued information systems include security measures (e.g., authentication and access controls) to protect the County of Morris’ interests and are not for your personal benefit or privacy.
    
5. Notwithstanding the above, using an information system does not constitute consent with respect to personnel misconduct, law enforcement, searching or monitoring of the content of privileged communications or data (including work product) that are related to personal representation or services by attorneys, psychotherapists, or clergy, and/or their assistants. Under these circumstances, such communications and work product are private and confidential, as explained below:
   • Nothing in this User Agreement shall be interpreted to limit the user's consent to, or in any other way restrict or affect, any Morris County actions for purposes of network administration, operation, protection, or for communications security. This includes all communications and data on an information system, regardless of any applicable privilege or confidentiality.
      
   • The user consents to interception/capture and seizure of ALL communications and data for any authorized purpose (including personnel misconduct, law enforcement and Information Security). However, consent to interception/capture or seizure of communications and data is not consent to the use of privileged communications or data for personnel misconduct, law enforcement, or against any party and does not negate any applicable privilege or confidentiality that otherwise applies.
      
   • Whether any particular communication or data qualifies for the protection of a privilege, or is covered by a duty of confidentiality, is determined in accordance with established legal standards. Users are strongly encouraged to seek personal legal counsel on such matters prior to using an information system if the user intends to rely on the protections of a privilege or confidentiality. 
      
   • Users should take reasonable steps to identify such communications or data that the user asserts are protected by any such privilege or confidentiality. However, the user's identification or assertion of a privilege or confidentiality is not sufficient to create such protection where none exists under established legal standards.
      
   • A user's failure to take reasonable steps to identify such communications or data as privileged or confidential does not waive the privilege or confidentiality if such protections otherwise exist under established legal standards. However, in such cases Morris County is authorized to take reasonable actions to identify such communications or data as being subject to a privilege or confidentiality, and such actions do not negate any applicable privilege or confidentiality.
      
   • These conditions preserve the confidentiality of the communications or data, and the legal protections regarding the use and disclosure of privileged information, and thus such communications and data are private and confidential. Further, Morris County shall take all reasonable measures to protect the content of captured/seized privileged communications and data to ensure they are appropriately protected.

All of the above conditions apply regardless of whether the access or use of an information system includes the display of a Notice and Consent Banner ("banner"). When a banner is used, it functions to remind the user of the conditions that are set forth in this User Agreement, regardless of whether the banner describes these conditions in full detail or provides a summary of such conditions, and regardless of whether the banner expressly references this User Agreement.