News & Updates
Small Talk from the VP: Intentional Acts of Kindness: Protecting Confidential Information
By Dave Smallen
March 11, 2015
Dave Smallen
Recently, I noticed that one of my credit cards was missing from my wallet. I did the proverbial high-low search with no success. Maybe it dropped out of my pocket somewhere in the snow, or at some store. In any case, I quickly checked with the credit card company and there hadn’t been any fraudulent charges - yet. Nevertheless, I canceled my card and ordered a new one (which took a week to arrive). As anyone who uses online services knows, I had to redo my automatic payment options for all my online services (e.g., Amazon, iTunes). In some cases I wasn’t quick enough and companies notified me that my card no longer worked for automatic payments. This was a pretty simple case, one that you have probably experienced. Now imagine if someone had stolen your confidential information and was using it to create a “new you” complete with credit cards and bank accounts.
In 2014, over 300,000 electronic student and personnel records at the University of Maryland were stolen. According to an article in University Business Magazine, “Higher education is particularly vulnerable because—in contrast to hacking targets like banks—college and university computer networks have historically been as open and inviting as their campuses.” The direct financial cost of a breach of information at Hamilton can be thousands of dollars and the impact on you if your information is stolen can go on for a long time. How can you help reduce the risk of your confidential or sensitive information falling into the wrong hands?
I need just ten minutes of your time!
Passwords that are used to access computer systems and networks play a critical part in protecting your information, at work and in your personal life. Using STRONG passwords - ones that are not easily guessed - are the foundation for this protection. While Hamilton has always recommended that you use strong passwords, we have never had a simple way to help everyone do so. That is about to change. Working with the Committee on the Library and Information Technology and the Information Security Board of Review (created by President Stewart in 2013) a new password policy was developed that explains what constitutes a strong password and a new system was created to implement this policy.
Starting in late March we will help everyone enroll in the new password system. Everyone will be required to create a strong password for use on the campus network and email. The whole process of enrolling and creating a password should take at most TEN minutes. The new system will also allow you to create a new password if you should ever forget it. This is all done through a simple web interface which you can use from anywhere.
Everyone will also be required to change their password at least once per year. That process should take no more than TWO minutes. In the coming months you will hear more about this new system and how to enroll. Members of LITS will be available to answer your questions and help you work through the transition to the new system before the end of the spring term.
In the spirit of the Whole Life Challenge, think of your one-time investment of 10 minutes, plus another 2 minutes per year, as an intentional act of kindness for your fellow community members to keep their information safe.
