As the academic year wraps up, it’s a perfect moment for faculty and staff at the University of Pennsylvania to secure their data and devices. With changing schedules and time away from campus, the risk of losing data or facing unauthorized access increases. Let’s go through some essential steps to keep everything safe.
First, check where your data is stored. Make sure sensitive information, like student records or financial details, is kept in secure locations such as approved network drives, OneDrive, or PennBox. Avoid keeping this data solely on personal desktops, laptops, or USB drives.
Next, let’s strengthen your account security. Your PennKey password should be strong and unique. It’s crucial not to reuse it on other sites. Also, ensure that Two-Step Verification (Duo) is set up on all your devices. This way, you won’t be locked out when you’re traveling.
If you’re using shared or lab computers, always log out of applications and browsers. Avoid sharing accounts, and utilize the University VPN when accessing Penn systems off-campus.
Before you take a break, update all your devices. Install any pending updates for your operating system, browser, and applications. These updates often fix security vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.
Physical security is just as important. Always shut down or lock your computer when you’re not using it. Keep laptops and tablets secure in locked offices, especially in shared spaces. If you’re traveling, carry devices with you instead of putting them in checked bags, and be wary of using public WiFi.
Setting up an out-of-office message is also a good idea. Specify who can access essential files or systems if necessary, but never share passwords. If a device goes missing or is compromised, make sure to report it immediately.
In fact, a recent survey found that nearly 60% of data breaches happen because of unprotected devices. Keeping secure practices in mind is essential.
You can find a comprehensive Penn Global Departure Checklist here: https://global.upenn.edu/gss/travel-guidance/pre-departure/pre-departure-checklist/.
For more tips, visit the One Step Ahead section on the Information Security website: https://isc.upenn.edu/security/news-alerts%23One-Step-Ahead.
