Laptops and handheld devices are easily lost or stolen.  Frequently these devices are not backed up, may not be password protected, and data is unencrypted.  This makes the data extremely vulnerable.  To protect your data against loss, please keep in mind the following security suggestions.

If you use a laptop or other handheld device:

• If at all possible, don’t store data on the device
• If data must be stored on the device, regularly copy the data to a file server or other system that is backed up frequently, preferably nightly
• Password protect the system, using the UCD password standards
• Encrypt the data.  IT Services offers the Pretty Good Protection (PGP) encrypting software at a reasonable price.  Contact the IT Services Help Desk for additional information. 

If your personal or UCD-owned computer, laptop or other handheld device is lost or stolen from an on-campus location:

• Inform your supervisor
• Either you or your supervisor should contact campus police (Anschutz Medical Campus – 303-724-4444; 9^th Ave. – 303-315-8888)
• Contact the UCD HIPAA Security Officer (www.uchsc.edu/hippa/contacts.htm)
• If a data breach is suspected, where Protected Health Information (PHI), or employee or student identifying information may have been residing on stolen computer equipment, please notify the UCD HIPAA Privacy Officer (www.uchsc.edu/hipaa/contacts.htm)

Last updated 05-15-2006