Supervisors and Managers – Point Your Staff to the New Information Security Web Site

by Roberta Lembke

Undoubtedly you are becoming more familiar with the concept of Information Security.  Every issue of the Informer has had an article that discussed security, be it general safety tops or laptop security.  The College is also in phase one of a campus wide data inventory project to determine which offices have or have access to confidential data.  Staff have also been asked by Alan Norton, Treasurer, to complete a data inventory survey.  Sometime later this spring, faculty will also be asked to complete this short survey.

The college takes data security very seriously and anyone who handles or has access to confidential data is required to understand and abide by college, state, and federal policies and guidelines.  This can be a daunting task if you are unfamiliar with all the issues surrounding information security.  To help everyone understand the issue and to provide a source of quick reference help, IIT has developed a new web site on Information Security at St. Olaf. 

I encourage you to read through the web site to familiarize yourself with the concepts, the practices, your responsibilities, and the laws.  If you supervise staff, I ask that you require your staff to read through the site.  The document could also be used as an excellent discussion item for your next meeting.

I know the material is a bit dry but you need to put it in the perspective of your own personal data.  You undoubtedly want those individuals handling your personal data (bank accounts, social security numbers, and credit card numbers) to be fully versed on information security.  You want these companies to do everything in their power to protect you and your data.  Don’t you feel that our students, staff, faculty, parents, and alumni expect the same from us?