Computanews guides
The Lasa Computanews Guides offer practical guidance on specific technology issues and help answer common queries. Guides are available as a FREE PDF download (require Adobe Reader to view available free from the Adobe website)
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Technology Handbook
The Technology Handbook (PDF - 358Kb) is designed to be a central repository of all information relevant to the configuration and management of the technology services within an organisation - from your ISP’s login details to where licence keys are stored.
It is aimed at third sector technology staff who have responsibility for supporting, developing, managing and securing ICT systems. This will vary according to the size and complexity of an organisation so could be an accidental techie, ICT manager, trustee or volunteer. Whoever it is, the handbook should help in the smooth running of the systems.
The benefits of using the handbook are that it:
- allows ICT issues to be tackled methodically rather than piecemeal
- easily identify missing information - backup discs, licence keys, insurance, etc
- better plan and manage ICT for the future
- help an organisation to gather information required as part of an ICT healthcheck
- assists support staff, both internal and external, to easily access vital information when troubleshooting or upgrading
The 62 page handbook covers all areas of an organisation’s technology. It is split into eight sections:
- The organisation – e.g. mission, strategy, budget
- Compliance – e.g. health and safety, data protection, waste electrical regulations
- Inventory – hardware, software
- Configuration – passwords, server, network, internet
- Contracts – e.g. support, maintenance, internet service provider
- Policies – e.g. disaster recovery, acceptable use, data protection
- Procedures – e.g. user induction, backup
- Appendices – sources of further information
Update! The Handbook has been revised and issued as version 1 following a trial period. There are new Configuration sub-sections on accessibility, social media and cloud services and Policy sub-sections covering social media and training. There is also a Summary of Recommendations for use after working through the Handbook following a Healthcheck, more knowledgebase links and icons to make them stand out. The colour scheme has been revised to make it easier to navigate.
ICT Security Guide
Aimed at third sector staff with responsibility for managing and securing technology systems, the 34 page Computanews ICT Security Guide (2MB PDF) looks at:
- Assessing the risks and policies needed
- How computer security is affected by people and the environment in which it is used and
- How to secure those all-important assets.
As technology security is a vast subject, the Guide is split into easily digestible sections, written in plain language and complemented with a rating system so as to be appropriate whatever the size or complexity of your organisation's technology systems.
The guide is also available in high resolution PDF format (4MB) for printing out.
Managing ICT
The revised and expanded Managing ICT Guide discusses the common issues in managing technology. Sections cover:
- Establishing an ICT Strategy - What policies you need in place, the roles of different staff and how to work with an external technology support company.
- Common Elements of an ICT Policy -Topics include software standardisation, buying hardware and software, budgeting, training and data protection.
- Making Decisions on ICT - Includes seeking outside advice, roles and responsibilities when making decisions, and implementing changes.
- Resources - A list of the websites and books that can help you.
- Checklists -Separate checklists for senior managers/trustees, for managers in charge of technology and for computer users - each at basic, intermediate and advanced level.
Data Protection
The Data Protection Guide provides a plain language overview of the Data Protection Act and how it affects voluntary organisations.
The 1998 Data Protection Act affects almost all voluntary organisations. However, many struggle to understand it, and worry that they might get into trouble by not complying. Or they take an over-cautious approach and allow their work to be hampered by unnecessarily tight restrictions. The Data Protection Act need not be a major problem. In fact applying good Data Protection practice means asking questions that can actually help improve services or procedures. This guide aims to demystify the Act and give you a framework for deciding what your organisation needs to do about it, including the meaning of 'Personal Data', preventing harm, appropriate security and confidentiality, what to do if things go wrong, transparency, consent and much more.
Project Management
The Project Management Guide provides an introduction to the techniques of project management. It looks at the basic principles and available tools and provides some templates and procedures for implementing project management methods. The Guide emphasises how project management can work in a third sector setting with particular reference to managing funding applications.
Circuit Riders
A Circuit Rider is a mobile technology development worker who supports a caseload of small voluntary organisations, and who works collaboratively with other Circuit Riders.The Circuit Riders Guide explains the approach that Circuit Riders take to their work, describes various existing Circuit Rider Projects, looks at different business models for projects, and provides some guidance to setting up your own project.