Savageduck
On 2013-11-26 22:35:39 +0000, "J. Clarke" <jclarkeusenet@cox.net>said:

J. Clarke
In article <2013112613041422380-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom>, savageduck1@{REMOVESPAM}me.com says...

Savageduck
On 2013-11-26 20:51:19 +0000, Tony Cooper <tonycooper214@gmail.com>said:

Tony Cooper
On Tue, 26 Nov 2013 14:54:57 -0500, "J. Clarke" <jclarkeusenet@cox.net>wrote:

J. Clarke
Tony, just a comment here but someone working in IT would typically use "policy" to describe what you are referring to as a "protocol", which could be part the reason that people are being so argumentative.

Tony Cooper
I don't know that usage. I'm not involved in IT in any way, so if there's a jargon use for "policy", then it's new to me.

I'd appreciate a definition of "policy" as it applies to IT work. Preferably, a definition in your own words rather than a link. Link definitions tend to contain references that need definitions.

To me, a "policy" would be a set of regulations that determine how a situation will be handled. A "protocol", though, is a set of steps that will be followed in performing a task. A policy determines what people do, but the protocol determines what a program does.

Correct me if I'm wrong about a policy in an IT context.

Savageduck
A corporate policy when it comes to IT could be anything from "No Apple computers permitted on our network", to "mandatory back-up of current work prior to log off", or restrictions on installing and running non-IT approved software on corporate machines. A company might have a policy requiring mandatory backup, but a protocol has to be executed to implement that policy.

J. Clarke
I'm leading you down the primrose path here a little bit but would you say that if the company had a policy that passwords much have a given level of complexity, be changed every three weeks, and be locked out for 24 hours after 5 failed login attempts, a protocol had to be executed to implement that policy?

Savageduck
That would be a company policy, with a protocol in place to implement that policy. Yes.

The use of the word "protocol" is not limited to the IT world of geekish data processing and management. In Law Enforcement we have established protocols for evidence collection and crime scene photography. Deviate from those protocols and cases can be, and are torn apart in the courtroom. Then there are diplomatic protocols, or the agreed upon rules governing diplomacy. There are more, and context is everything.