Technology Security

This section helps student pharmacists understand many of the topics of technology security at UCSF. We protect data in a variety of ways.

Always

• Keep confidential data secure.
• Securely erase or have destroyed devices you no longer need - see Drive, Tape, and Data Destruction.

As needed

• Lock your device when you step away from it.
• Access UCSF-restricted resources:
  • Library resources: Getting Access to UC-Licensed Resources.
  • Other resources: Virtual Private Network (VPN).
• Send e-mail securely using our Secure Email system.

Set it and forget it

• Anti-virus - get UCSF-licensed software to protect all your Mac and Windows computers from viruses - see Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP).
• Encryption - encrypt computer hard drives - see How to Encrypt Your Computer. (Faculty and staff members: contact your computer support coordinator for help with encryption.)
• Online backup - get a UCSF discount to back up data with the online service called CrashPlan.

Set it and check regularly

• Software updates - whenever possible, configure software to update automatically then check it regularly—some updates require manual action.

Be aware of

• Social engineering - the manipulation of people to perform certain actions or divulge confidential information.