A data breach is costly in terms of resources required to conduct an investigation and what it can do to the reputation of UMass Lowell. Encryption offers an additional layer of security beyond simple password protection and provides assurance that the data is safe—even if lost or stolen.
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93H requires safeguarding residents’ personal information and public disclosure in the event of a data breach.
IT Security recommends that all laptops, smartphones and other mobile devices used on the UMass Lowell campus be encrypted to prevent a data breach.
Any UMass Lowell faculty or staff member who works with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) should contact IT Security (978-934-3645) to ensure their laptops and portable devices are encrypted.