Data Security
Data security is the responsibility of all of us. Researchers, faculty, students, and admin staff will from time to time have personal and identifiable data in their custody. When this information is in electronic format, we advise you to take the necessary steps to ensure that it is properly secured.
Step 1
Ensure that your computer is password protected. This will make it more difficult to compromise your computer if it is in the physical presence of someone else.
Step 2
For all faculty, researchers, and admin staff, please make sure that personal and identifiable data is stored on your personal shared drive space (H: drive) with the university. If your computer is lost or comprised, you will still have access to your data and your data can be secured with access being immediately disconnected from the lost or compromised computer.
Step 3
Password protection is not enough. It is necessary to additionally turn on file encryption on your machine. Encryption is a security method that scrambles information on a computer so that it can only be read with the use of a special password. For Windows, Mac, or Linux computers, we recommend the use of TrueCrypt. Detailed instructions on the installation and use of TrueCrypt can be found here:
http://www.trentu.ca/it/userguides_DiskEncryption.php
If you are an exclusive Mac user, we recommend that you use the native encryption available with your Mac, known as FileVault. To turn on FileVault, please follow the instructions found here;
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4790
Step 4
If you have a mobile device, such as a Smart Phone or a Tablet PC, password protect it. Additionally, if available on your device, we recommend that you set a limit to the number of retries on entering the password before all the data is erased. This is an added measure of security.
Securing personal and identifiable data is a job for all of us. Please do your part in helping us to ensure that we have a secure environment of data storage.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or require assistance. We can be reached at: it@trentu.ca
Thank You,