Security Awareness

Protecting Sensitive Information

East Carolina University ITCS/IT Security

Objectives

Why protecting data is important

How data can be compromised

Describe some “best practices” for keeping the data entrusted to us secure

Why Should You Care?

Universities hold massive quantities of sensitive data

Universities are traditionally seen as easy targets

We must understand the types of data that we hold, and the business processes that surround it

Sensitive Data Social Security Number (SSN) credit card number drivers license number personally identifiable patient information personally identifiable student information proprietary research data confidential legal data proprietary data that should not be shared

with the public

Compliance

The University is required to comply with Federal and State Legislations regarding the way we use and store sensitive information

• HIPAA- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

• GBLA- Gramm-Leach Bliley Act

• FERPA- Family Rights to Privacy Act

• NC Identity Theft Protection Act

NC Identity Theft Protection Act

The Identity Theft Protection Act is designed to protect individuals from identity theft by mandating that businesses and government agencies take steps to safeguard social security numbers and other personal information

Identity Theft

Approximately 10 million ID theft victims nationally per year – 19 people per minute

Identity Theft is now passing drug trafficking as the number one crime in the nation-DOJ

In NC, identity theft reported to the FTC jumped from 1,656 cases in 2001, to 5,830 in 2005

The NC ID Theft Act and ECU Effective: December 1, 2005 § 132‑1.8.  Social security numbers and other personal identifying information.

Unless disclosure is necessary to perform clearly defined duties and responsibilities or required by law the following is prohibited: 

1.      Collection of social security numbers 2.      Failing to segregate social security numbers from the rest of the

record 3.      Failing to provide Statement of Purpose when collecting social

security number 4.      Use of social security number for other purpose not stated 5.      Intentionally disclose to public 

The NC ID Theft Act and ECU Effective: July 1, 2007 § 132‑1.8.  Social security numbers and other personal identifying information.

State and local government agencies should minimize the instances where social security numbers and personal identifying information is disseminated internally or externally.

No Agency of the State, or any agent or employee shall: (unless exception is made)

6.      Print or imbed social security numbers in a card required for access to services

7.      Require a person to transmit their social security number over the Internet unless the internet is secured or the number is encrypted.

8.      Require social security number to access and Internet Web site without other authentication

9.      Print and mail social security number, unless required by law

How is Information Stolen?

Phishing Malware Hacking Stolen/Lost Computers Social Engineering

A type of Social Engineering

The practice of acquiring personal information on the internet by masquerading as a trustworthy business

Phishing

www.antiphishing.org

Malware

Usually installed onto a computer by downloading other programs such as screensavers, games, and “free” software

Trojans –malicious programs disguised or embedded within legitimate software

What Can Malware Do?

Download other malware

Crash your workstation

Capture and send sensitive information from your workstation to the hacker

Be used to perform attacks from inside our network

Social Engineering

A hacker’s favorite tool—the ability to extract information from computer users without having to touch a computer

Coercing people to give out information is known as “social engineering” and is one of the greatest security threats out there

Social Engineering

Social engineers prey on some basic human tendencies….

• The desire to be HELPFUL

• The tendency to TRUST people

• The FEAR of getting into trouble

Social Engineering

Despite all our security controls, we are wide open to an attack if an employee unwittingly gives away key information in an email, by answering questions over the phone with someone they don't know or failing to ask the right questions

Hacking

Compromising a computer, server, or network by means of software exploits or operator negligence/ignorance

Lost/Stolen Computers

What could the loss of one laptop containing sensitive information cost?

Thousands, maybe millions-WHY?

• Fines

• Public Relations Damage Control

• Class Action Litigation

Which Way did it Go?

Licensed cab drivers in London, reported that 4973 laptops, 5939 Pocket PCs, and 63135 mobile phones were left in cabs over a 6 month period

What Can I Do?

Examine Your Business Processes

WHAT-data

WHO-has access to the data

WHERE- it originates, resides, goes

HOW-it gets where its going

What data, Where is it?

Search your workstation for sensitive data

• Can it be deleted?

• Can it be moved to PirateDrive?

If you MUST store sensitive information locally ENCRYPT it

Data Security

Data should not be copied or downloaded from the university’s administrative systems to a PC, PDA, Laptop, etc unless required by your department

Piratedrive is a secure storage location which meets the requirements for storing sensitive

information, it is available to individuals and departments

Data Security

Sensitive information should never be located on a web server

Use a secure server to store sensitive data

Use an encrypted database, such as SQL or Oracle to store sensitive information

Remove the confidential part of the information

from the data if this is possible (e.g., SSN)

Data Security

Be careful to whom you give sensitive information.

Do you know who they are?

Do they have a need to know?

Do they have the proper authorization?

Your PirateID and Passphrase

Never allow others to use your PirateID or other logins –this includes your supervisor!

Use a strong passphrase on all your computer systems and change them regularly

Never give your passphrase out to anyone

Passphrase Security

Use a different passphrase on your university and home workstations or programs

Avoid using the “auto complete” option to remember your passphrase

Securing Your Workstation

Log off or lock your workstation when you leave (ALT-CTRL-DEL)

Use a screensaver with a password enabled

When you go home, turn the computer off

Steer Clear of Malware

Avoid using Instant Messaging and Chat Software

Avoid using Peer to Peer file sharing software

Don’t download or install unauthorized programs

Keep your computer up to date with the latest A/V definitions and security patches

Safe Email Practices

Don’t open unscanned, unknown or unexpected email attachments

If you receive an email with a hyperlink, don’t open it in the email –open a web browser and type the link in manually

Email is not secure and should not be used to send sensitive information. If you must use email ALWAYS encrypt sensitive data

Practice a “Clean Desk” policy

Don’t leave unattended sensitive data on your desk, FAX, printers or copiers

Keep sensitive data stored in a locked desk, drawer or cabinet

Shred sensitive data for disposal

Basic Business Rules If you don’t need it, don’t collect it

If you need it only once, don’t save it

If you don’t need to save it, dispose of it properly

If you have to save it, encrypt it, or lock it

Don’t give out information without positive conformation

If You Suspect a Problem

Notify the ITCS Help Desk at 328-9866

IF you’ve been hacked, or think you have, change the passphrase to ALL systems you have access to (and

not from the hacked workstation either)

If you have received a threat notify the ECU Campus Police

Security Awareness mindset :

“I understand that there is the potential for some people to deliberately or accidentally steal, damage or misuse the data that is stored within my computer systems and throughout our University. Therefore, it would be prudent for me to stop that from happening.”

SEC Y

For More Information

Please visit the IT Security website at

WWW.ECU.EDU/ ITSecurity