Colleges and universities have made national headlines when data breaches occur in which university systems (desktop and laptop computers, departmental file servers, etc.) containing personal information are accessed by unauthorized individuals. This personal information -- usually in the form of names and Social Security numbers -- may potentially be exploited to perpetrate identity theft, and that is why LSU, in addition to aggressive approaches to address computer security and data integrity on campus, took this next step to protect the campus community.
"LSU is making great strides in securing its information technology infrastructure and data repositories, but this new agreement gives us a way to proactively protect our community while we undertake the massive job of securing our environment," said Brian D. Voss, LSU's chief information officer.
LSU has other efforts underway to address information technology security and information integrity. The university is actively tightening its network and infrastructure security with new policies, processes and tools to monitor and remedy security shortcomings. LSU also is working to eliminate the use of Social Security numbers as identifiers in its information systems. The university has developed processes for analyzing security incidents and is taking the appropriate steps to notify anyone who might be impacted by those incidents.
"The problem of breaches of personal information is very acute at this moment across the country, especially in higher education," said Harold Sivlerman, LSU's incoming interim provost. "By taking this innovative approach LSU is working to be proactive in protecting the institution by protecting our community members."
