Spider: Protect Against Data Disclosure

[Nov 23, 2009 14:09] Web access to Microsoft Live@edu accounts now works.

Many institutions, UVa included, use Social Security Numbers (SSNs) as identifiers in their computer systems. But doing so runs the risk of unintended data disclosure and possible harm to members of the community. In response to this concern, VP/CIO James Hilton sent an email to all University faculty and staff outlining the importance of safeguarding all identifying information that is stored electronically.

To assist in this effort, ITC is making Spider available to University departments. Spider searches your computer or other media for numbers in the format of Social Security Numbers, and then tells you the names of the files in which they're found. Use of Spider will enable the University to keep an accurate accounting of the whereabouts of all SSNs stored on laptops, desktop computers, servers, and other media (CDs, DVDs, tape backups, USB thumb drives, and so on).

The Office of Information Technologies at the University of Virginia would like to offer special thanks to our colleagues at Cornell University for creating and maintaining Spider.

© 2009 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia.

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