Why is the University of Connecticut encrypting its data?
Many University staff and faculty access and store information which is either sensitive or confidential. Exposing this information to unauthorized sources may be costly for both the University and for anyone whose identity may be stolen as a result of unauthorized access to such confidential information. Passwords for computer accounts provide minimal security for computer systems. If a computer is lost or stolen, data from a password-protected computer can be retrieved within minutes. Protecting a computer with a password is simply not enough. Each week several cases are reported describing a lost or stolen laptop or desktop computer containing social security numbers, or other personally identifiable information. The University of Connecticut is acting proactively to avoid data exposure to protect its students, faculty, staff, donors, vendors, and other constituents. If an encrypted computer containing sensitive information is lost or stolen, data retrieval by someone who shouldn’t
