Secure Data Handling Policy
Version 1.2
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure the protection of the University’s IT Resources against unauthorized use, accidental or malicious damage, and theft.
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
- Fordham Protected data, Fordham Sensitive data, or Public data must be stored or transmitted per the Data Classification Guidelines, Data at Rest Policy, or the Data in Transit Policy.
- Protection1 measures must be taken and maintained to prevent unauthorized or unlawful disclosure of University data. Protection measures are based on data classification and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Physical access control (e.g., controlled access to buildings, rooms, data centers, appropriate handling, storage, and disposal of media)
- Administrative access control (e.g., restrict access based on role or authority)
- Technical access control (e.g., information stored on a secure server and use of privacy configurations, appropriate handling, storage, and disposal of media)
1 Policy scenario example: Payment Card Industry (PCI) data viewed/maintained by University personnel (faculty, staff, etc.) needs to be secured physically (physical access control) by storing in locked cabinets. Access to Information and Information Systems containing PCI data is password-protected (administrative access control). A separate sub-set of Fordham’s main network is used to store PCI data (technical access control).
Definitions
IT Resources include computing, networking, communications, application, and 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 Policy
- Data at Rest Policy
- Data in Transit Policy
- Third-Party Data Transfer Policy
Implementation Information
Review Frequency: | Annual |
---|---|
Responsible Person: | Director, IT Risk and Data Integrity |
Approved By: | CISO |
Approval Date: | May 16, 2017 |
Revision History
Version: | Date: | Description: |
1.0 | 05/16/2017 | Initial document |
1.0.1 | 01/09/2019 | Updated policy statement |
1.2 | 07/13/2020 | Updated policy statement |
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.