Request for Information Regarding Computer Logs and Firewall Block Lists. (Chicago Public Schools)

Dear Jordan:

Thank you for your interest in Chicago Public Schools. Your FOIA request has been received and is being processed. Your FOIA Center reference number for tracking purposes is: N013429-030523
You have requested the following records: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act., I hereby request the following records:

I am writing to request for the following information related to computer logs and firewall block lists for the period of 2 years:

Copies of computer logs detailing internet activity during the period of this request.

A list of websites that have been blocked by the firewall system during the period of this request, including any recently blocked websites.

A list of websites that have been blocked due to intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) during the period of this request.

Any documentation related to the criteria used to determine which websites are blocked by the firewall system and IDP system.

Any logs related to attempts to bypass the firewall system during the period of this request.

"Please note that this FOIA request is being submitted through the MuckRock platform, which operates as a public records repository. All communications related to this request, including the request itself, may be made public on the MuckRock website or through other channels. Therefore, please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in your response to this request. If you have any concerns about the public disclosure of any information related to this request, please contact me directly at obscure.sender(@)proton.me PGP:pub eddsa263/971160b32902eb9c470ef377c0a20f0b8d1bae1a "

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jordan

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) responds to all public records requests in accordance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 ILCS 140/1 et seq.
If further time is needed to assemble and copy all documents responsive to your FOIA request, we will contact you with a time estimate and a request to extend.
Upon the completion of a response, CPS will provide the first 50 pages to you at no charge.  If a response is more than 50 pages, a fee of 15¢ per page will be charged for each additional page. Copies of video recordings have a fee of $48. All applicable fees must be paid prior to the copying. CPS will inform you of any fees due if your paper response exceeds 50 pages. You can monitor the progress of your request at the link below and you’ll receive an email when your request has been completed. Thank you for using the CPS FOIA Center.

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03/06/2023

Jordan Jordan
MuckRock News, DEPT MR141830 263 Huntington Ave
Boston MA 02115

Dear Jordan:

RE: Chicago Public Schools FOIA Request N013429-030523
Thank you again for using the Chicago Public Schools FOIA Center.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, a public body may extend the time to respond to a FOIA request by up to 5 business days for a limited number of reasons. 5 ILCS 140/3(e).
We are extending the time to respond to your request by 5 business days for one or more of the following reason(s):
(  ) the requested records are stored in whole or in part at other locations than the office having charge of the requested records;
( )  the request requires the collection of a substantial number of specified records;
( ) the request is couched in categorical terms and requires an extensive search for the records responsive to it;
( ) the requested records have not been located in the course of routine search and additional efforts are being made to locate them;
(x ) the requested records require examination and evaluation by personnel having the necessary competence and discretion to determine if they are exempt from disclosure under Section 7 of this Act or should be revealed only with appropriate deletions;
(x ) the request for records cannot be complied with by the public body within the time limits prescribed by 5 ILCS 140/3 (c) without unduly burdening or interfering with the operations of the public body;
(x ) there is need for consultation, which shall be conducted with all practicable speed, with another public body or among two or more components of a public body having a substantial interest in the determination or in the subject matter of the request
Sincerely,

Ana Diaz
FOIA Officer
Chicago Public Schools

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March 15, 2023 Jordan Jordan RE: Chicago Public Schools FOIA Request N013429-030523 Dear Jordan: This letter is in reply to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking the following information:
I am writing to request for the following information related to computer logs and firewall block lists for the period of 2 years:
Copies of computer logs detailing internet activity during the period of this request.
RESPONSE: The CPS FOIA office reviewed your request and concluded that it is unduly burdensome as it would requires the collection of billions upon billions of lines of responsive data . The search parameters you provided includes 2 years’ worth of data and information about all internet activity for over 400,000 computers owned by the District. Given the scope of your request, attempting to search the entire district’s internet activity would positively yield multiple billions of individual records. This is NOT an automatic denial of your request. Pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/3 (g), we are asking that you narrow your request to more manageable proportions by replying to this email. If you do not narrow your request within 5 business days, this request will be closed. You may consider narrowing the timeframe or keywords or identifying specific individuals from whom you seek records to help narrow your request A list of websites that have been blocked by the firewall system during the period of this request, including any recently blocked websites.
A list of websites that have been blocked due to intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) during the period of this request.
Any documentation related to the criteria used to determine which websites are blocked by the firewall system and IDP system.
Any logs related to attempts to bypass the firewall system during the period of this request. RESPONSE: The CPS FOIA office has reviewed your request and determined that the information you seek is exempt from disclosure. The safety of Chicago Public Schools’ students is of the utmost importance and the disclosure of safety and security measures at school properties could jeopardize and reduce their effectiveness. For this reason, your request is denied pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/7(1)(v):Vulnerability assessments, security measures, and response policies or plans that are designed to identify, prevent, or respond to potential attacks upon a community’s population or systems, facilities, or installations, the destruction or contamination of which would constitute a clear and present danger to the health or safety of the community, but only to the extent that disclosure could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the effectiveness of the measures or the safety of the personnel who implement them or the public. Information exempt under this item may include such things as details pertaining to the mobilization or deployment of personnel or equipment, to the operations of communication systems or protocols, or to tactical operations. Additionally, the information is exempt from disclosure pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/7 (1)(o): Administrative or technical information associated with automated data processing operations, including, but not limited to, software, operating protocols, computer program abstracts, file layouts, source listings, object modules, load modules, user guides, documentation pertaining to all logical and physical design of computerized systems, employee manuals, and any other information that, if disclosed, would jeopardize the security of the system or its data or the security of materials exempt under this Section. In the case of a denial, pursuant to 5 ILCS 140/9.5(a) you may file a Request for Review with the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at: Public Access Counselor; Office of the Attorney General; 500 South 2nd Street; Springfield, IL 62706.  You also have the right to seek judicial review of your denial by filing a lawsuit in the State circuit court; 5 ILCS 140/11. Thank you for your request. Sincerely, Ana Diaz Freedom of Information Act Officer Chicago Public Schools

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07/21/2023
Dear Jordan:
RE:   Chicago Public Schools FOIA Request N013429-030523
Thank you for your recent Freedom of Information Act Request. You have requested: To Whom It May Concern:

We are in receipt of multiple, apparently automatically generated fax communications inquiring about the status of this request. We are re-iterating our original 3/15/23 response, noting the burdensome nature of your request and the confidentiality of the information under the security and technical security exemptions previously noted. Should you wish to narrow your request, please submit a new request as this one is closed.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at 773-553-3500.
Sincerely,
Ana Diaz Freedom of Information Act Office

Chicago Public Schools