USU's Computer Management Policy #558 outlines in its procedures that any university computer that is used to display, process, store or transmit Private Sensitive Information (PSI) or Critical Institutional Data (CID) must be managed according to the appropriate "High Security Setup" procedure. Part of the "High Security Setup" is encrypting the hard drive containing or accessing PSI and CID. This article will outline the necessity of encryption, how to enable encryption for your USU or personal devices, and the implications of data encryption.
Why Encryption?:
Data Encryption has a variety of benefits such as achieving data safety regardless of device, promoting data integrity, minimizing risk of unauthorized exposure, and ensuring compliance with various USU, government, and insurance policies.
Encryption FAQs:
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- What devices need to be encrypted?
- How do we identify which computers access PSI?
- What tools are provided by USU to encrypt devices?
- Where can I learn how to use and manage encryption tools?
- Where do I store encryption keys?
- What are my auditing responsibilities on encrypted systems?
- What are implementation costs?
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How-To Enable Encryption:
It is recommended to test the encryption process on a practice device. Additionally, remember to backup data of every device before encrypting.
Implications of Encryption:
Hard drive encryption should be completed by or under the supervision of qualified IT Support Personnel. Mishandled encryption could result in the loss of critical data and information. IT support staff may contact the Help Desk at (435) 797-HELP for assistance.
USB Drives:
USB drives (thumb drives and portable hard drives) are specifically prohibited from being used to access, store, or transmit University PSI due to greater risk of loss.
Mobile Devices:
At this time tablets and smartphones are not included in this category and do not require encryption. However, they must be locked by a PIN, passcode, or other form of authentication.
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For further assistance, please contact your Department IT Support or the IT Service Desk