Ibrahim Gardner
Utah State University (USU) employs various methods to keep student information secure. The university uses student data for specific purposes, such as optimizing website content and maintaining IT system stability. To prevent unauthorized access, USU implements physical, technical, and administrative controls, adhering to laws regarding data safeguarding. USU also partners with third-party organizations for mobile applications, which may access personal information with user permission. As a state institution, USU is subject to the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), allowing disclosure of information to third parties when legally required. While USU takes measures to secure data, it disclaims responsibility for information transmitted over uncontrolled networks. Students are responsible for protecting their usernames and passwords, advised to use strong and unique passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication. The university also provides guidelines for disclosing student information, adhering to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which prohibits releasing personally identifiable student records without written consent, except in specified circumstances.
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What You'll Learn
Password security
Utah State University has a strict password policy in place to ensure the security of student information. Students are required to keep their UNIDs/usernames and passwords confidential, using unique logins and complex passwords, and storing them securely.
Students are advised to use cryptic passwords with a minimum of 12 characters, including a mixture of numbers, symbols, and upper and lower-case letters. The longer password offers significantly greater protection as shorter passwords can be cracked much more quickly. Students are also encouraged to use password managers to securely store passwords across devices, rather than writing them down or storing them in a browser.
It is important to keep passwords safe and hard to guess to ensure that information is not compromised. Students should avoid including personal information such as usernames, names of friends or family, pet names, addresses, birthdays, or hobbies in their passwords.
In addition to the password policy, Utah State University also follows the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which governs student records and forbids the release of personally identifiable student educational records without written consent, except in specified situations.
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Encryption and data classification
The University of Utah takes student information security very seriously and has a range of measures in place to protect its students' data. The Information Security Office (ISO) works to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of university information technology systems and data through appropriate security resources and best practices.
The university classifies data into three categories: restricted, sensitive, and public. Restricted data, which includes personally identifiable information, must be protected as required by federal and state laws. It must be encrypted at rest or in transit. Restricted data types include personally identifiable information (PII), protected health information (PHI), payment card industry (PCI), and financial and donor information.
On the other hand, sensitive data, which includes student information, must be safeguarded by a data steward, who ensures compliance with relevant policies and confidentiality agreements. University regulation states that encryption for sensitive data is strongly recommended, at rest and in transit, and should be in accordance with the data steward's requirements. However, it is ultimately at the discretion of the designated data steward. Public data does not require encryption, although it is encouraged.
To ensure the security of restricted and sensitive data, the university recommends that all such data be kept on a university-managed device. Personal devices must comply 100% with Policy 4-004: University of Utah Information Security if they create, process, store, or transmit restricted or sensitive university data.
The university also provides guidelines for students to protect their personal information. Students are advised to use strong, cryptic passwords with a minimum of 12 characters and a mixture of numbers, symbols, and upper and lower-case letters. They should also enable multi-factor authentication and report any suspicious activity or phishing attempts.
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Phishing and malicious attacks
Phishing is a type of cyber attack where malicious actors send messages pretending to be a trusted person or entity. Phishing messages manipulate the user, causing them to perform actions like installing a malicious file, clicking a malicious link, or divulging sensitive information such as login credentials and passwords. Phishing is a popular form of cybercrime because of how effective it is. Cybercriminals have been successful in using emails, text messages, and direct messages on social media to get people to respond with their personal information.
Utah State University (USU) has implemented measures to protect against phishing and malicious attacks. Firstly, USU has established suitable physical, technical, and administrative controls and procedures to safeguard the information collected online. They also recommend that users keep their passwords safe and hard to guess to ensure that information is not compromised. USU also classifies data into three categories – restricted, sensitive, and public – according to its level of sensitivity and associated legal requirements. Restricted data, the highest level of sensitivity, must be protected as required by federal or state laws and regulations, and contractual obligations. Encryption of restricted data is mandatory, while encryption of sensitive data is strongly recommended. USU also encourages the use of university-managed devices to store restricted and sensitive data, as personal devices must comply 100% with the university's security policies.
In addition, USU provides guidelines and best practices to help users protect themselves and the university from cyber threats. Users are advised to report any suspected phishing attempts received through university email accounts. They can use the Phish Alert button or forward the email as an attachment to the dedicated email address for reporting phishing attempts. By following these measures and guidelines, USU strives to safeguard student information and prevent unauthorized access or disclosure.
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Physical and network security
Utah State University employs various measures to ensure the physical and network security of student information. Firstly, the university encourages students to use strong and complex passwords for their accounts. Students are advised to use a combination of numbers, symbols, and upper and lower-case letters, ensuring that passwords are unique and difficult to guess. Students are also encouraged to use password managers to securely store their passwords across devices, rather than writing them down or storing them in a browser.
In addition to password protection, Utah State University recommends that students enable multi-factor authentication for added security. The university also provides guidelines for students to follow when using their UMail accounts, including keeping their UNIDs/usernames confidential and regularly changing their passwords if they believe they have been compromised.
To protect against cyber threats, the university advises students to use a secure virtual private network (VPN) when accessing university resources on public Wi-Fi. Students, faculty, and staff are also encouraged to protect their devices and information with antivirus software and security patches. The university offers discounted rates for antivirus software through its Office of Software Licensing.
Utah State University also classifies data into different categories, such as restricted, sensitive, and public, depending on its level of sensitivity and associated legal requirements. Restricted data, which includes personally identifiable information, is protected by federal and state laws. Sensitive data, which covers student information, is safeguarded by a data steward who ensures compliance with relevant policies and confidentiality agreements.
Furthermore, the university recommends that students only enter personal or sensitive information on trusted and secure webpages, looking for "https" in the URL to confirm a secure connection. Students are also advised to avoid file-sharing software, as it can open their devices to malicious files and attackers, and to only use official university email systems for conducting university business.
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Disclosure of student information
Utah State University (USU) has a range of measures in place to protect its students' data and privacy. The university employs various IT security measures, such as data classification and encryption, to ensure the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of university information technology systems and student data.
USU classifies data into three categories: restricted, sensitive, and public. Restricted data, which includes personally identifiable information, must be protected as required by federal and state laws. Sensitive data, which includes student information, must be safeguarded by a data steward who ensures compliance with relevant policies and confidentiality agreements. Public data does not require encryption, although it is encouraged.
USU also has clear guidelines regarding the disclosure of student information. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) governs student records and forbids the release of personally identifiable student educational records, files, or personal information contained in those files without the student's written consent, except in specified situations. As a state institution, some information collected from USU websites and mobile applications may be subject to the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). In addition, USU may disclose information to third parties when such disclosure is required or permitted by law.
To further protect student information, USU recommends that students use strong, cryptic passwords with a minimum of 12 characters and enable multi-factor authentication. Students should also report any suspicious activity or phishing attempts and follow password policies and IT security best practices, such as keeping their UNIDs/usernames and passwords confidential and using unique logins. Students are advised to use a password manager to securely store passwords across devices rather than writing them down or storing them in a browser.
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