Purpose

Keeping your system secure is essential to maintaining productivity, protecting data and intellectual property, and abiding by University and partners' policies and requirements. 

Audience

On this page

Initial considerations

Evaluate possible institutional options.

• Consult with your local IT group about whether an institutionally managed system would meet your needs. These systems are managed by technical experts at the University, divisional, or departmental level, allowing you to focus more on the task at hand, rather than maintaining the security of unmanaged systems.

  • https://handbook.security.utoronto.ca/wiki/spaces/ISH/pages/4948958/Contact+us#Information-Technology-(IT)

What can I do? (Top 5)

Set up full disk encryption on your devices.

• https://handbook.security.utoronto.ca/wiki/spaces/ISH/pages/3571764/Encrypt+data+and+devices#Enable-or-install-full-disk-encryption-packages.

Establish and follow a backup strategy for your important data.

• Resilient backups strategy

• Back up data

Install and/or enable end-point protection (antivirus, antimalware, etc.) software.

• Virus and malware protection

Keep your devices up-to-date.

• Updates and patching

Protect devices with unique usernames, strong passwords and/or biometrics.

• Passwords, passphrases and passkeys

What else can I do?

Keep an inventory of all devices, data, and services related to your work.

• Asset management; data and devices

Physically secure your devices and data.

• Physically secure data and devices

Use secure, encrypted methods to transfer data to and from systems.

• Send, share or transfer data

Securely destroy data when it is no longer required for your project or subject to retention obligations.

• Delete or destroy data and devices

Install ad blocking and/or content filter software.

• Block malicious or invasive ads and webpage content

Notify necessary parties immediately if a device is compromised, lost, or stolen.

• Report a security event or incident