One Step Ahead: Almanac Security Tips - 2009

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You Can't Lose Data That You Don't Have
Password Cracking: The Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow
PennKey Opens Many Doors: Keep it Safe
Software Piracy
Collect Personal Documents and Computer Hard Drives for Free Shredding at the Employee Resource Fair
Don’t Use Excessive Privileges on Your Computer
Do You Google? Know How to Protect Your Privacy
Online Statements and Bill Payments: Safer Than Paper?
Updated Purchase Order Terms and Conditions Regarding Information Privacy & Security
Sanitize Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Docs Before Publishing
Exchange Sensitive Data Securely Using Secure Share
Facebook Sharing Can Be Broader than You Think: A Birthday Example
Managing Facebook's Privacy Settings for Safe Use
Be Careful with Facebook Apps
ID Theft: Are You Worrying About the Right Things?

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Tuesday, November 3, 2009 - Almanac Vol. 56, No. 10

You Can't Lose Data That You Don't Have

A few months ago, at a peer institution, a laptop containing names and Social Security numbers of 45,000 students, faculty and staff was stolen. This was not an isolated incident. More and more data breaches are occurring as a result of lost or stolen laptops. Data is also at risk when it is stored on an unsecured desktop.

The best way to avoid risks to sensitive data, to individuals, and to Penn is simply not to download sensitive data unless you absolutely must. Your Local Support Provider (LSP) can advise you on how you can instead store and access sensitive documents on properly secured departmental file servers. They should be used whenever possible to reduce the number of points of possible data vulnerability. If you must download sensitive data, contact your LSP for assistance in encrypting the file, securing your machine, and securely deleting the information once it is no longer necessary.