Confidentiality and privacy
Electronic communication is not a secure means of communication. While every attempt is made to ensure the security of Department ICT resources, this security is not guaranteed, particularly when communicated to an external party. The sender should consider the confidentiality of the material they intend to send when choosing the appropriate means of communication.
To ensure their confidentiality is maintained, employees are advised to use personal, rather than Department email accounts when disclosing improper conduct, either as part of an audit or as contemplated by the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 (Vic).
The Department will handle any personal information collected through the use of Department ICT resources in accordance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).
The Department will not disclose the content of electronic communications created, sent or received using Department ICT resources to third parties outside of the Department unless that disclosure is required for the purposes of:
- a Department investigation
- a police investigation
- for other legal, investigative, audit or compliance reasons
In other circumstances, disclosure should not contravene the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic).
Reviewed 09 June 2020
