The University has a highly complex and resource-rich information technology environment upon which there is increasing reliance to provide mission-critical teaching, research, public service, and healthcare functions. In support of the University’s Information Technology Security Program’s framework for safeguarding the institution’s computing assets in the face of growing security threats, effective security practices are necessary to protect the University’s computing infrastructure.
This policy:
Defines requirements for owners and overseers of University information technology resources to take reasonable care to eliminate security vulnerabilities from those resources.
Establishes the requirement to report information security incidents to appropriate University officials so proper and timely response procedures can be initiated. Such reporting addresses particularly serious incidents, such as violations of confidentiality or integrity of sensitive University data, in order to:
Reporting also enhances awareness of troublesome trends in security incidents that indicate the need for adjustments in the University’s overall security program.
Establishes the role of the University Information Security Office and the Health Information and Technology Security Office in monitoring the University’s information technology resources for potentially malicious and/or harmful activities and responding to any information security incidents.
Establishes the requirement for all departments to participate in the University’s Information Security Risk Management Program. The program provides insight into existing risks within a given information technology environment and strategies for reducing or eliminating those risks.
Electronic equipment, whether owned by the University or an individual, that has a processor, storage device, or persistent memory, including, but not limited to: desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cameras, audio recorders, smart phones and other mobile devices, as well as servers (including shared drives), printers, copiers, routers, switches, firewall hardware, network-aware devices with embedded electronic systems (i.e., “Internet of Things”), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and industrial control systems, etc.
All media, whether owned by the University or an individual, on which electronic data can be stored, including, but not limited to: external hard drives, magnetic tapes, diskettes, CDs, DVDs, and USB storage devices (e.g., thumb drives).
Any event that, regardless of accidental or malicious cause, results in:
Examples of such incidents include, but are not limited to:
All resources owned, leased, managed, controlled, or contracted by the University involving networking, computing, electronic communication, and the management and storage of electronic data regardless of the source of funds including, but not limited to:
The process to identify, control and manage the impact of potential harmful events, commensurate with the value of the protected assets. Risk management includes impact analysis, risk assessment, and continuity planning.
Everyone who uses University information technology (IT) resources. This includes all account holders and users of University IT resources including, but not limited to: students, applicants, faculty, staff, medical center employees, contractors, foundation employees, guests, and affiliates of any kind.
Owners and overseers of the University’s information technology (IT) resources must take reasonable care to eliminate security vulnerabilities from those resources. In cases where University IT resources and privileges are threatened by other IT resources, Information Technology Services (ITS) and Health Information and Technology (Health IT) may act on behalf of the University to eliminate the threat by working with the relevant owners or overseers. In circumstances where these collaborative efforts fail or there is an urgent situation requiring immediate action, the IT resource may be disabled or disconnected from the network by ITS or Health IT (depending upon the location of the IT resource). This policy applies to all users of the University’s information technology resources, regardless of location or affiliation.
All users of University IT resources are required to promptly report information security incidents to appropriate University officials using the procedures at the Report an Information Security Incident web page.
Individuals or departments may not release University information, electronic devices or electronic media to any outside entity, including law enforcement organizations, before making the notifications required by this policy.
The University Information Security and the Health IT Security offices are responsible for responding to information security incidents. In addition to following up on reported incidents, these offices may monitor IT resources for potentially malicious and/or harmful activity and take action deemed necessary based on detected activity or in order to enforce a University policy.
The management of each University department or unit is required to complete the process outlined in the Information Security Risk Management Standard and Information Security Risk Management Procedures at least annually, when there are significant changes to departmental or unit IT resources, or when there are significant changes to the risk environment. The department or unit head will sign off on the deliverables from this process, which will be stored in the University's central repository for these documents.
Compliance with Policy:
Any misuse of data or IT resources may result in the limitation or revocation of access to University IT resources. In addition, failure to comply with requirements of this policy and/or its standards may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion in accordance with relevant University policies, and may also violate federal, state, or local laws.
Questions about this policy should be directed to the Contact Office.