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Security Requirements


Handheld devices provide convenience and flexibility, enabling you to access services and data when you are away from a traditional desktop or laptop computer. They are also vulnerable to many of the traditional threats we all face when using a computer: worms and viruses, loss of data and need for backups, and exposure of private or sensitive data.

Handheld devices are especially susceptible to loss or theft, given their small size and value. While loss or theft means you are not able to use the device, and may need to purchase a replacement, you or the campus may incur additional costs or hardship if sensitive data is on the device. Identity theft, unauthorized access to accounts, and release of sensitive data are all very real threats.

To minimize these threats, please:

  1. Protect your device from electronic threats by applying vendor-recommended security patches and running updated anti-virus software. If losing the information on your device would be a hardship, we recommend that you regularly back up the device.
  2. Protect your device from physical threats by keeping it on your person or in a physically secure location (such as a locked room) at all times.
  3. Avoid storing sensitive data on your device to limit the potential for high risk or personal data to be exposed. If you store sensitive data on your device, use a strong password to reduce the likelihood of unwanted access.
  4. To further protect sensitive information, use of data encryption software is recommended. This software is probably not resident on the device and a third-party product muct be installed. Encryption software is currently being tested and options will be posted to the PDA Web site.
  5. If you university-owned device is lost or stolen, the loss should immediately be reported to abuse@calpoly.edu.

Users of handheld devices must adhere to Cal Poly's Responsible Use and Information Security policies, as with any device that connects to information. Please see the Security Web site for further information on these policies.