Annex 4: IT Checklist
Based on needs assessment
IT Checklist
√ Inventory: Is there a current inventory of all equipment and does it match the needs assessment done at the Establishment Phase?
√ Acquisition Policy: Is there a plan to upgrade and acquire new equipment to meet new needs and innovations in technology, as well as to address the inevitable aging of equipment.
√ Hardware: Do all staff who need access to computers have computers or access to them as required?
√ Are laptops available to staff who require them in the field?
√ Service: Were computers purchased or leased from a reputable vendor with basic warranties and after-sales service?
√ Are qualified IT staff available or on call for service to computers or the network?
√ Security: Do all computers have passwords to protect confidentiality?
√ Network servers contain all the information stored in the system of the NHRI. They are thus vulnerable to hackers as they contain confidential information such as complaints information. Are servers and data generally physically secure (in a locked room) and protected with adequate firewalls?
√ Does each computer and the network have appropriate levels of security, with virus scanning and cleaning software, regularly updated, as well as firewall, spyware and other related security software.
√ Access to the internet and networks
√ Is the internet connection consistently functioning?
√ Software: Is all the software appropriately licensed for its use? In addition to normal operating packages - Word; Excel; Power Point, databases, etc., there are also financial accounting packages; human resource planning and management software and correspondence control software.
√ Web site: Is there a regularly updated web site, hosted by a reliable internet service provider supported by qualified staff in-house who can update the web site? Does the web site have a content management system? Does it allow on-line registration of complaints or provide at least basic form?1
√ Does the web site contain, at a minimum, a complete and up to date inventory of all NHRI publications?
1 Even many well-developed NHRIs do not yet have this feature, but increasingly it is the way of the future, especially in countries where travel is difficult and the mail unreliable.