IT Security a Shared Responsibility

When you are entrusted with sensitive data, we're sure you care that the UCit security team takes its responsibility seriously. We work hard to do the right thing - by striving to provide excellent security management and the best service possible. We apply that same integrity to protecting your privacy. All community members of the University of Cincinnati share responsibility for the protection of University data and information. This includes a shared responsibility for the maintenance, proper operation, transportation, and protection of all information processing resources, software, databases, and services at UC.

Any data or information discovered, learned, derived, or handled during the course of business that is generated within the University must be protected. This includes University, student, health, faculty, staff, and research data.

Protecting data privacy, security and online transactions, and transportation is a shared responsibility. We affirm our commitment to safeguard information; however, it is imperative that you protect your computer to prevent unauthorized access to data stored on the system.

We strongly suggest that you follow these simple, basic, security guidelines:  

1. Use a strong password by using seven characters or more.
2. Lock your workstation - Ctrl _Alt _ Delete - when you leave your area.
3. Use anti-virus software and update it daily.
4. Do not open email from anyone you do not know.
5. If someone calls or writes asking for your user ID and password do not tell them.
6. Do not use peer-to-peer software to share copyrighted data. When traveling, do not leave your laptop unattended.
   

Be responsible; make every effort to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your computer. Agree to make every reasonable effort to prevent use of the machine for illegal or unethical purposes, and understand that intruders who gain access to your computer may use it to attempt to gain access to other computer. You are responsible for taking all reasonable precautions to ensure that this does not occur.

Immediately report any breach of information security to the UCit security incident team by contacting the Help Desk at 556-HELP or send email to abuse@uc.edu.

Visit the UCit Security Team's web page at http://www.ucit.uc.edu/security/ for more information on basic computer security.

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