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Identity
Protection Initiative to Make Campus More Secure
(Beeper Article, 1/05/05)
A laptop containing names, birth dates and Social Security numbers is stolen, putting nearly 150,000 blood donors at risk for identity theft. Hackers gain access to databases containing credit card information and Social Security numbers of 20,000 students. An office visitor copies the information from an application left lying on an unattended desk. A “dumpster-diver” harvests information from discarded forms.
Scenarios such as these have raised concerns about the security of MCG documents and computer systems containing sensitive personal information. Because an estimated three to 10 million individuals are victims of identity theft annually, campus administrators have launched an Identity Protection Initiative.
“I am committed to implementing practices and procedures to ensure the protection of the personal information of our faculty, staff and students,” said MCG President Daniel W. Rahn. “I want members of the MCG community to feel safe on this campus – both physically safe and confident that we’ve taken appropriate measures to protect them from identity theft.”
The IPI was initially planned as a means “to reduce the gratuitous use of social security numbers as primary personal identifiers.” But, once underway, the initiative was expanded to address a wider range of personal information.
The IPI will be completed in two phases – identification and solutions – with four teams performing specific tasks:
- identify and prioritize data elements which need protection;
- locate the data elements and determine how they are used and/or transmitted;
- assess current risk and recommend appropriate protective actions;
- communicate the results of the IPI to raise campus awareness of the issues and encourage compliance with new policies and procedures.
The Identification Team led by Dr. Mike Miller, vice president for enrollment and student services, has complied list of 35 data elements to be examined including Social Security, credit card account and licensure numbers, e-mail addresses and computer passwords.
“The IPI steering team and the working groups have really risen to this challenge,” said IPI Project Leader Deb Barshafsky, executive assistant to the president. “This is important work that will enhance the security of personal information at MCG. And it is the kind of initiative where everyone on campus can help make a difference.”
Other steering team members include Vice President for Information Technology Beth Brigdon, Interim Vice President for Legal Affairs Andrew Newton, Interim Vice President for Finance Peter Munger and Director of Strategic Communications Caryl Brown.
Others have been asked to serve on various working groups to provide the widest range of expertise possible. A planned survey will offer the campus community a means for additional information and feedback.
Phase one of the project is targeted for completion in early 2005.
For more information, contact Jeaneanne Atkinson at ext. 1-7135.