it security awarenesss by northern virginia community college

IT Security Awareness:Information Security is

Everyone’s BusinessA Guide to Information Technology Security at

Northern Virginia Community College

Goals of IT Security Awareness Training

To assist faculty and staff in using safe, secure computer practice to safeguard College computing systems and data they store or access.

To answer any questions about information security requirements and procedures

To promote Computer Security Awareness

Information Technology Security

Awareness

What Is IT Security Awareness?

Information Technology Security Awareness means understanding various information technology threats that exist in one's computing environment and taking reasonable steps to guard against them.

Who Is Responsible for IT Security?

Everyone who uses a computer needs to know how to keep his or her computer and data secure to ensure a safe working environment.

NOTE: Security Awareness is one of the thirteen security components required in the COV ITRM Standard SEC2001-01.1.

Who Must Have Security Awareness Training?

All new employees who use information technology or have access to areas where information resources reside, must receive formal training within 30 days

Refresher training must be provided to all personnel annually at a minimum

What Are User Personal Responsibilities?

Report security violations Develop “end-of-day” security procedures Practice proper telephone and e-mail security Clear physical area in office of sensitive data

when not in office Do not leave your portable unattended Lock your office, if possible

What Are the Consequences for

Security Violations? Risk to security and integrity of personal or

confidential information Los of employee and public trust resulting in

embarrassment and bad publicity Costly reporting requirements in case of compromise

of sensitive information Internal disciplinary action(s) up to and including

termination of employment, possible penalties, prosecution, & potential for sanctions/lawsuits

What Must Be Included in the Security Awareness

Training Program? Provide both general and position

appropriate security awareness content Specify timeframes for receiving initial,

ongoing and refresher training Be documented on an auditable medium Be approved by the Information Systems

Security Officer

How Is Security Awareness Training

Documented? Receipt of training must be documented in

employee’s personnel file with employee’s acknowledgement of receipt and understanding

All training must be documented and filed with Information Systems Security Officer and available for audit

How Can Training Be Delivered?

New employee orientation General sessions Departmental sessions Web delivery via Web Pages, PowerPoint or

video Tip of the month via email to distribution lists

How Can Training Be Delivered?

Posters Brochures “Security Day” Brown bag lunch sessions

Computer Security

How Do I Secure My Computer?

Use a firewall Use strong passwords Use antivirus software Install security patches Share files correctly Back up files regularly Don’t store sensitive information on hard

drive

How Can I Prevent Spyware on my

Computer? Avoid free tool bars for your browser since

they may come with spyware Regularly use spam cleaners to remove

spyware.

Using USB Drives Safely

How Do I Use USB Flash Drives Safely?

Back up files on USB flash drive Do not store sensitive data, such as SSNs or

student grades, on USB flash drive If possible, use password to protect data on

USB flash drive Remember to remove drive from your

computer before walking away

Safe Email Practice

What Is Safe Email Practice?

Don’t open email attachments unless you know what they are.

Don’t open, forward or reply to spam or suspicious emails; delete them.

Be aware of sure signs of scam email.• Not addressed to you by name• Asks for personal or financial information• Asks you for password• Asks you to forward it to lots of other people

Safe Email Practice

Don’t click on website addresses in emails unless you know what you are opening.

Use official VCCS student email to communicate with students about grades or to provide feedback on assignments.

Report email security concerns to IT Help Desk.

How Do I Recognize Phishing?

Phishing is type of email or instant message scam designed to steal your identity.

Phishing is the act of attempting to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details, by masquerading as trustworthy entity in electronic communication using email or instant message.

How Can I Safeguard Against Phishing?

Don’t reply to email or pop-up messages that ask for personal or financial information.

Don’t click on links in email or instant message. Don’t cut and paste link from questionable

message into your Web browser. Use antivirus and firewalls and update them

regularly. Don’t email personal or financial information.

If you are scammed, visit Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft website – www.consumer.gov/idtheft

Protecting Sensitive Information

How Do I Protect Sensitive Data? Protect sensitive information on lists and

reports with social security numbers (SSNs). Limit access to lists and reports with SSNs to

those who specifically need SSNs for official college business.

Never store SSNs or lists with SSNs on laptops or home computers.

Save and store sensitive information on server managed by campus or college IT staff.

Protection of Sensitive Data

Never copy sensitive data to CDs, disks, or portable storage devices.

Do not sore lists with sensitive information on the Web.

Lock printed materials with sensitive data in drawers or cabinets when you leave at night.

When done with printed sensitive material, shred them.

Protection of Sensitive Data

Remove sensitive materials from printer right away.

If problem with printer, turn off printer to remove sensitive material from printer’s memory.

Personally deliver sensitive materials to recipient or distribute information electronically using College’s email system.

Arrange for shared electronic file that requires user ID and password.

Password Security Guidelines

What Are the Password Security Guidelines?

Passwords must be treated as sensitive and confidential information.

Never share your password with anyone for any reason.

Passwords should not be written down, stored electronically, or published.

Password Security Guidelines

Be sure to change initial passwords, password resets and default passwords first time you log in.

Use different passwords for your different accounts.

Create passwords that are • not common, • avoid common keyboard sequences, • contain personal information, such as pets & birthdays.

Top Ten List of Good Computing

Practices

What Are the Steps to Take to Ensure Safe Computing?

Use cryptic passwords that can’t be easily guessed and protect your passwords.

Secure your area, files and portable equipment before leaving them unattended.

Make sure your computer is protected with anti-virus and all security patches and updates.

Steps to Ensure Safe Computing

Make backup copies of data you do not want to lose and store the copies very securely.

Don’t save sensitive information on portable devises, such as laptops, memory sticks, PDAs data phones, CDs/DVDs.

Practice safe emailing. Be responsible when using the Internet.

Steps to Ensure Safe Computing Don’t install unknown or suspicious programs

on your computer. Prevent illegal duplication of proprietary

software. Protect against sypware/adware.

How Should I Report Security Incidents?

Immediately report suspected security incidents & breaches to your supervisor and the IT Help Desk.

Resources

Resource Handout

Use the handout found on the IT Security Awareness Training website as easy reference for steps to follow to ensure information security.

College and Campus Resources

Contact the IT HelpDeskithelpdesk@nvcc.vccs.edu703-426-4141

Contact the Office of Instructional & Information Technology Support Services 703-323-3278

Contact your campus Information Technology Manager (ITMs)

Campus IT Staff Contacts Dave Babel (AL) dbabel@nvcc.vccs.edu

703-845-6019 Bruce Ghofrany (AN) bghofrany@nvcc.edu

323-4259 Jeff Howlett (MEC) jhowlett@nvcc.vccs.edu

703-822-6666 Kevin Kelley (LO) kkelley@nvcc.edu

703-450-2569 Lynn Bowers (MA) lbowers@nvcc.vccs.edu

703-257-6652 Lynn Feist (WO) nvfeisl@nvcc.vccs.edu

703-878-5659 Peter Tharp (CS) ptharp@nvcc.vccs.edu

703-323-3705 Tom Pyron (ELI) jpyron@nvcc.edu

703-323-3800