Effective date of the guideline:

TBC

Last updated:

1 December 2015

Guideline owner:

Enterprise Infrastructure Services (EIS)
ICTS

Table of contents

Background

The content managed environment, WordPress, provides a framework where content can easily be uploaded and edited without using web coding. The MS Word like interface provides a familiar toolbar for adding text, links and images. This environment makes use of a standard template that resembles UCT's corporate look and feel but still allows for personalised banners and imagery.
Most of the sites that were hosted on the now-decommissioned Groa server were easily be accommodated in this environment. With no HTML coding required, the system can easily be upgraded without the various sites being impacted.

NOTE Both the LAMP and WordPress environments will be used in the interim until the Enterprise Content Management's (ECM) Web Renewal Project selects a suitable, long-term web publishing solution that can be used at UCT. Once a web publishing solution is chosen your website, files and database(s) will need to migrate to the new solution.

Acronyms and Terms


Acronym

Explanation

ICTS

Information and Communication Technology Services

UCT

University of Cape Town

EIS

Enterprise Infrastructure Services

CMS

Content Management System

CMD

Communications and Marketing Department

Site owner and Administrator

The person responsible for getting approval and managing the site.

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Applicable to

UCT faculties, departments and associated units as determined by The Registrar

Exceptions

Entities outside of the UCT community and for personal use.

Guideline summary

This guideline covers the following aspects:

  1. Eligibility
  2. General
  3. Updates of application software or configuration
  4. Security

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Guideline details

  1. Eligibility
    • Only sites for official UCT business or associated units as determined by The Registrar will be catered for.
    • An organisational entity of UCT, including but not limited to a faculty, department, school, centre, division, group, unit, office, or service.
    • Student groupings may request a website to be developed for either a:
      • Residence
      • Registered Student Society
      • Sports Club
    • Postgraduate students may request a website for their research, work or studies at UCT.
NOTE
  • UCT's Communications and Marketing Department (CMD) needs to determine (in consultation with ICTS if necessary) and approve the most appropriate hosting environment for their particular content.
  • The request must be done by either a permanent staff member or student who will be the owner of a site.
  1. General
    • The WordPress environment provides a hosting platform that allows for the submission of content limited to text (html), urls, images and video through a web interface.
    • The server will not cater for any other CMS systems or items that require installation and configuration and imposes on the default structure.
    • A default template, as determined by CMD is applied to the entire hosting environment and may not be changed for individual sites.
    • Configuration changes to the Webhosting server or MYSQL server will not be allowed unless it is beneficial for the entire hosting environment and the user group.
    • Standard WordPress plug-ins are provided. No additional plug-ins will be installed unless beneficial to the whole hosting environment.
    • The webserver will only provide HTTP and HTTPS accessibility.
    • Bulk mailing from the server will not be allowed.
    • A valid/current site owner or active administrator must be assigned to a site.
    • Site owners need to ensure their site content remain functional and current.
    • Sites with old or inappropriate content will be removed should the site owner not respond to requests to update their site.
    • Only permanent UCT staff will have access to upload site content. These staff members can provide temporary access to others to assist with the management of content.
    • Only one site owner per site is allowed and remains the primary contact for that site.
    • Site owners must inform ICTS when ownership is transferred.
    • No advertising may be added to any site without the approval of CMD.
    • Only site owners may request a backup or restore of a particular site.

  2. Updates of application software or configuration
    • Site owners will be notified of upgrades to the hosting platform.
    • Site owners will be responsible for testing site functionality on completion of an upgrade of the hosting platform.
    • All plug-ins will automatically be upgraded to later versions at the time of upgrading the hosting platform.

  3. Security
    • Configuration changes and updates to increase the platform's security will be done by ICTS.
    • Should any pages or databases pose a security risk to the platform, the items will be restricted for the security of the hosting environment and the site owner will be informed to address the issue.

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