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Civil Service Government Skills service user acceptance policy

Published 17 September 2025

This policy outlines the rules and guidelines for appropriate use of the Government Skills Campus (GSC). The policy is designed to ensure a secure, respectful and effective learning environment for all users.

Scope of this policy

This policy applies to all individuals who access or use the GSC. This includes both the service itself, and any ancillary systems. By accessing or using the GSC, you agree to comply with this policy.

General principles

Confirm that you agree to:

• comply with acceptable use principles
• understand that breaching this policy may result in disciplinary procedures.

The Government Skills team in the Cabinet Office manage the service. The team will report breaches of this policy to your department if needed.

Be responsible for your own actions. Act in a responsible and professional way when using the GSC. Follow the Civil Service Code and your own department’s policies, such as:

• conflict of interest
• National Security Vetting
• discipline, bullying, harassment and discrimination

Use IT systems following your department’s security and information management policies.

Immediately report any breach of this acceptable use policy to:

• your manager
• the GSC team

and comply with official procedures when a breach of the policy is suspected or reported.

Never undertake illegal activity, or any activity on GSC systems that would:

• be harmful to the Civil Service’s reputation
• jeopardise staff and/or citizen data

Doing so is likely to be seen as serious or gross misconduct.

Understand that the service is monitored for business use.

Understand that you can use whistleblowing and raise a concern process in line with your departmental policy if it is believed that someone is misusing GSC systems or information.

Acceptable use

Access to the GSC is for the sole purpose of engaging in the approved activities agreed by your employing department. Acceptable use includes:

• accessing and completing assigned courses, modules and learning materials
• accessing and updating your skills profile
• requesting skills endorsements
• participating in discussions, forums and collaborative activities as directed
• using the communication tools within the GSC for educational and networking purposes
• reporting on learning information for the department(s) and/or profession(s) you are accountable for
• reporting any technical issues or security concerns promptly

Prohibited use

The following activities are strictly prohibited when using the GSC:

Unauthorised access

Attempting to gain unauthorised access to:

• any part of the GSC
• other users’ accounts
• any connected systems

Account sharing

Sharing your sign in credentials (username and password) with any other individual. Each user account is for a single, designated user.

Content misuse

Copying, distributing, reproducing, modifying, or transmitting any content from the GSC including:

• course materials
• videos
• documents
• assessments

without explicit written permission from both:

• your department/profession
• Government Skills (part of Cabinet Office)

Malicious activity

This includes introducing:

• viruses
• malware
• worms

or any other harmful code into the GSC or its underlying infrastructure.

Disruption

Engaging in any activity that disrupts or interferes with the normal operation of the GSC or the experience of other users. This includes excessive or unauthorised use of system resources.

Inappropriate content/behaviour

Posting, uploading, or transmitting any content that is:

• unlawful
• offensive
• discriminatory
• harassing
• defamatory
• obscene
• otherwise inappropriate

This also includes engaging in any form of cyberbullying or harassment.

Commercial use

Using the GSC for any unauthorised commercial purposes, advertising, or solicitation.

Data harvesting

Collecting, or attempting to collect data about other users without the explicit authorisation of both:

• your department/profession
• Government Skills (part of Cabinet Office).

Circumvention of security

Trying to bypass or disable any security features or access controls within the GSC.

Security and Data Protection

Access confidentiality

You are responsible for:

• maintaining the confidentiality of your GSC password
• all other activities that happen under your account
• Reporting security issues
• You must immediately report any suspected unauthorised access, security breaches, or misuse of your account to gsc@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 
• Data integrity
• You must make sure that any data you submit to the GSC is accurate, complete, and does not violate any third-party rights.

Intellectual property

All content, materials, and intellectual property within the GSC, are the property of Cabinet Office and/or your department. This includes, including but not limited to:

• courses
• modules
• videos
• documents
• logos
• trademarks

They are protected by applicable intellectual property laws. Your use of the GSC does not grant you any ownership rights to this content.

Privacy

Government Skills collects and processes personal data following its Privacy policy. This will include sharing of your data with your department and/or profession. Government Skills is part of the Cabinet Office.

Monitoring and enforcement

Government Skills reserves the right to monitor GSC usage, including:

• user activities
• content
• communications

to ensure compliance with this policy and applicable laws. Violations of this policy will be reported to your department. Violations may result in disciplinary action, up to and including:

• temporary or permanent suspension of GSC access
• disciplinary action as per your department’s internal policies
• legal action, if deemed necessary

Disclaimer

Government Skills (part of Cabinet Office):

• strives to provide continuous access to the GSC
• does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the GSC, or any part thereof, at any time without prior notice.

Policy updates

This Policy may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be posted on the GSC or communicated through other appropriate channels. Following any changes, users will be prompted again to accept the User Agreement.

Contact information

If you have any questions about this policy, contact the Government Skills Campus team: gsc@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 

Last updated: 16 September 2025