As an Acadia community member, I PLEDGE TO…
Use a strong password or passphrase
- Set unique passwords for each application
- Set a strong password to access your computer
- Install a password safe/manager for the safekeeping of your passwords
- Practice unique account, unique password
- Ensure your computer has a timeout requiring password access
- Review the Acadia Password Policy
Safeguard institutional and personal data
- Avoid storing sensitive data on thumb drives or hard drives that can be misplaced or stolen
- Understand my responsibilities regarding information privacy and confidentiality
- Update privacy and security settings in all applications
- Perform regular data backups
- Practice safe sharing: "Personal Information does not belong in email".
- Maintain a clean desk
- If not in the office, place device/computer in car trunk or location that is not visible to a passerby.
Think before I click
- Be cautious when clicking on hyperlinks and attachments in both emails and social media
- Learn how to recognize various security traps by taking available training
- If in doubt throw it out. Verify authenticity by phone or separate email.
- Report concerns. Use the Phish Alert Button or forward to phishalert@acadiau.ca
Use caution when dealing with email and other forms of electronic communication
- Never provide password or other sensitive information in an email or response to an email
- Share with care: avoid transmitting sensitive data via email and other insecure means of communication Instead, use OneDrive, SharePoint or Teams for storing and sharing sensitive information
- Ensure that sensitive data sent by insecure means is encrypted
Keep my computer and device software up-to-date
- Configure your computer to download and install security updates automatically. Due to the number of patches developed in a relatively short span of time, it can become quite cumbersome to manage patches manually
- Patch software on your personal computer
- Update operating system updates as released on your mobile devices
- Ensure you are running the latest versions of your browser, browser plug-ins like Java and Adobe Reader
Safeguard my computer
Practice Safe hygiene on all devices
Treat all devices connected to the internet (phones, fridge, speakers) like a computer, and
- Update to the latest version of the operating system
- Update to the latest version of any applications
- Obtain software and applications from legitimate sources
- Enable Multi-factor authentication, if available
- Install antivirus software, if available
- Disable or uninstall any applications that are not used
- Disable wireless and Bluetooth if not in use
- Enable encryption mechanisms, if available
Treat my mobile device like any other computer
Smartphones, tablets and other mobile devises are just small computers and experience many of the same security issues. Your pledge to cyber security applies to both your computer and mobile devices:
- Configure a password or passcode on your mobile device
- Install antivirus software, if available
- Ensure that you’re running the latest version of your device’s operating system.
- Ensure that you’re running the latest version of any applications installed on your mobile device
- Disable or uninstall any applications that you don’t use
- Disable wireless and Bluetooth if not in use
- Enable encryption mechanisms, if available
- Regularly back up data stored on your mobile device
- Follow secure disposal practices
- Enable Multi-factor authentication, when available
Report suspected security concerns immediately
- Received a phishing email, report it to TS via the Phish Alert Button or forward email to: phishalert@acadiau.ca
- Report a compromised system, account, lost or stolen device, computer, and Axcess ID Card
- Contact Technology Services Service Desk immediately at 902-585-4537 or 1-888-
609-3330
- Contact Technology Services Service Desk immediately at 902-585-4537 or 1-888-
- If you suspect your computer has been compromised or any other security breach, take the following steps:
- Disconnect the computer from the network, turn off the wireless
- Do not log off, shut down or reboot