Data in Transit Policy
Version 1.1
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to define how University data is electronically transmitted.
Scope
This IT policy, and all policies referenced herein, shall apply to all members of the University community, including faculty, students, administrative officials, staff, alumni, authorized guests, delegates, and independent contractors (the “User(s)” or “you”) who use, access, or otherwise employ, locally or remotely, the University’s IT Resources, whether individually controlled, shared, stand-alone, or networked.
Policy Statement
- The requirements for transmitting Fordham Protected, Fordham Sensitive, or Public Data via email or other electronic methods are listed in the table below.
- The type of data dictates the method of transmission as per the Data Classification Guidelines.
Rules for transmitting Fordham Protected, Fordham Sensitive, or Public Data1
| Fordham Protected Data | Fordham Sensitive Data | Public Data | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Not permitted without express authorization or unless required by law. HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) Transport Layer Security (TLS) Encrypt email Encrypt file |
Messages shall only be sent to authorized individuals with a legitimate need to know. HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) Transport Layer Security (TLS) Encrypt email Encrypt file |
No protection requirements | |
| Electronic Transmission or Forwarding (e.g., LAN, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) |
Secure, authenticated connections or secure protocols must be used for transmission of protected data via: HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) server Transport Layer Security (TLS) |
Data must be transmitted in either an encrypted file format or over a secure protocol or connection via: Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) server HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) Transport Layer Security (TLS) |
No protection requirements. |
[1] The information included in this table is not comprehensive. Refer to other IT policies for details related to the topics mentioned.
Definitions
Authentication is used when the server needs to identify who is accessing the information or site. Authentication does not determine what tasks the individual can do or what files the individual can view.
Authorization is when a server determines if the individual has permission to use a resource or access a file. Authorization is usually coupled with authentication so that the server can identify the individual requesting access.
Encryption involves the process of transforming data so that it is unreadable by anyone who does not have a decryption key. Encryption in transit refers to ensuring that all data sent over a network is encrypted.
IT Resources include computing, networking, communications, application, telecommunications systems, infrastructure, hardware, software, data, databases, personnel, procedures, physical facilities, cloud-based vendors, Software as a Service (SaaS) vendors, and any related materials and services.
Related Policies and Procedures
- Data Classification and Protection Policy
- Data Classification Guidelines
- Acceptable Uses of IT Infrastructure and Resources
- Third-Party Data Transfer Policy
- Data at Rest Policy
Implementation Information
| Review Frequency | Biennial |
|---|---|
| Responsible Person | Director, IT Risk and Data Integrity |
| Approved By | CISO |
| Approval Date | May 22, 2018 |
Revision History
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 04/06/2018 | Initial policy |
| 1.0.1 | 05/22/2018 | Updated disclaimer statement |
| 1.1 | 06/09/2020 | Updated table |
Policy Disclaimer Statement
Deviations from policies, procedures, or guidelines published and approved by the University Information Security Office (UISO) may only be done cooperatively between the UISO and the requesting entity with sufficient time to allow for appropriate risk analysis, documentation, and possible presentation to authorized University representatives. Failure to adhere to UISO written policies may be met with University sanctions.