History Log

Purpose

The advent of digital photography and the inclusion of digital imaging capabilities in many electronic devices (e.g. cellular phones, PDAs, etc.), has brought an awareness of the need for increased security surrounding video and photographic images taken in critical Qwest facilities. Since video/photographs may be taken of critical or confidential information (i.e. contract information, technician names, telephone numbers, etc) with or without the knowledge of Qwest and/or on site personnel, Qwest has developed this Video/Photography Policy.

The purpose of this document is to outline the process to gain approval to bring Video/Photography equipment into a Qwest Critical Facility to appropriately capture video/picture images, comply with all confidentiality requirements and prevent any incidents of unauthorized videos/photographs being captured/taken in and around Qwest critical facilities by any party.

For purposes of this policy critical Qwest facilities include, but are not limited to, central offices, National Network switch sites, or any other customer traffic-routing facility.

Scope: This policy applies to all individuals who have a need to take photographs/video at a Qwest Critical Facility. Unless properly authorized in accordance with this process and procedure, no one (e.g. Qwest, CLECs, service providers, vendors, contractor, etc) is allowed to take photographs, video, etc. in critical Qwest facilities unless the Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form has been submitted and approved. All image capturing devices with either traditional or digital imaging capabilities (including cellular phones with digital imaging capabilities, PDAs, cameras, camcorders, etc.) are, at all times, prohibited inside Critical Qwest Facilities without the proper approval. Failure to adhere to this process may result in the offending person being escorted from the building and revocation of future access.

Non-Qwest owned video-surveillance systems are prohibited in all collocation spaces. Qwest will investigate security issues brought to its attention.

Requirements:

Before any image capturing will be allowed in any Critical Qwest Facility, each photographer:

• Shall have a specific business need that cannot be met without video/photography being taken.
• Request approval to bring Video/Photography equipment into a Qwest Critical Facility from the Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee).
• Shall obtain written approval from the Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee) with notification made to Corporate Security, for the date(s) that video/photography will be taken.
• The date(s) provided to the Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee) must match the actual date(s) of the visit, If you are unable to keep the date requested a new notification form must be completed.

Once approval has been acknowledged by the Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee), all video/photographs must comply with the following requirements:

• The Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee) must be notified when image capturing is about to commence. The name and phone number of the appropriate Qwest Facility Site Manager (or designee) to contact will be provided on the authorization form.
• All images taken must be in furtherance of the identified business purpose.
• Video/photographs must be of building parts, equipment or internal network elements specific to the company requiring the video/photographs. Video/photographs must not reveal the identity or include any equipment of other service providers, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) or other carriers, or the space they occupy. The sole exception to this requirement is that Qwest personnel are permitted to photograph any equipment or area within any Qwest site that is determined to be a safety hazard or that is not in compliance with Qwest standards. Qwest personnel taking these photos must comply with the following:
  • Must have an approved Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form in their possession.
  • Must treat these images as confidential data and may not share the images with anyone other than the specific company that owns the equipment.
  • May only photograph the specific non-compliant equipment or safety hazard.
  • Must follow all other photo and video policy requirements.
• Broad views of the building exterior are not permitted.
• Do not include any building address in any image.
• Landmarks that indicate the building location may not be included in the image.
• No written notification disclosing the specific location will accompany the video/photography in any media.
• Video/Photographs taken inside the facility must not contain documents, passwords, computer screen displays, etc.

After/during the image capturing:

• The photographer must retain the approved Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form with all appropriate signatures in his/her possession at all times while in the Qwest facility. The authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form must be presented upon request of any Qwest employee.
• Qwest designates each image and series of images (not including those of equipment or materials belonging to CLEC) as confidential according to the terms of the governing interconnection agreement.

Any individual(s) noticing a possible violation or problem should:

• Address their concern to the photographer.
• Verify that the photographer has a signed acknowledgement form.
• Ask if the photographer is familiar with the Qwest Critical Facility Video/Photography Policy.
• Identify what portion of the policy the individual has concerns about. Inquire if the photographer is complying with the policy.
  • If the photographer is in compliance, no further action is required.
  • If the photographer is not in compliance or the individual still has concerns:
    • The individual may ask the photographer to cease the activity.
    • The individual may contact their manager, Qwest Security and/or the State Interconnect Manager (SICM).

Report all incidents to Qwest Facility Site Management and Qwest Security and, when applicable, to the SICM. Once the business need for the images is complete, destroy hard copies, dispose of any negatives and erase images.

Any suspected violations of these requirements should be immediately reported to Corporate Security at 888.879.7328 before the person leaves the facility. Additionally, report all incidents to the Qwest Facility Management immediately.

Steps to obtain authorization

When a video/photograph is needed or required, follow the steps below to obtain an authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form:

Between the hours of 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM MT, Monday thru Friday

Email access@qwest.com with the following information:

• Name of person(s) taking the pictures.
• Name of company.
• Location of needed video/photographs - include City, State and facility name.
• Fax number in which to send the authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form, this can be the facility in which the picture is needed.

Allow 3 business days for processing. **NOTE - The authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form is only good for the time period Qwest has indicated on the form.

Emergency and/or Escalations

In the case of an emergency or for escalations regarding approval follow the steps below to obtain an authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form:

Between the hours of 6:00 AM and 4:00 PM MT, Monday thru Friday:

Email access@qwest.com with the following information:

• Name of person(s) taking the pictures.
• Name of company.
• Location of needed video/photographs - include City, State and facility name.
• Fax number in which to send the authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form, this can be the facility in which the picture is needed.

Between the hours of 4:00 PM and 6:00 AM MT, Monday thru Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays:

Call 800-201-7033. Choose option 4 and ask to speak with the CACC person on call.

Provide the following information to the CACC person:

• Name of person(s) taking the pictures.
• Name of company.
• Location of needed video/photographs - include City, State and facility name.
• Fax number in which to send the authorized Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form, this can be the facility in which the picture is needed.

An email notification can be used in place of the Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval form for temporary authorization in an EMERGENCY ONLY situation. A faxed authorization in this case will follow the following business day.

To view an example of the Qwest Critical Facility Image-Capturing Approval Form click here.

Contacts

Qwest contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Questions about this policy should be directed to Corporate Compliance through the Advice Line at 800.333.8938 or Advice.Line@Qwest.com

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Last Update: August 22, 2005