UCSF Offers Laptop Insurance, Encryption Software to Secure Data

UCSF Risk Management and Insurance Services (RMIS) office has partnered with UCSF Enterprise Information Security (EIS) to offer an additional incentive to better protect laptops. During this year’s theft buy-down deductible insurance program, the cost of the first year’s license for laptop encryption software called Pointsec will be paid for the first 100 users who complete “Information Security and Practices” training from EIS and have Pointsec successfully installed on their laptops, according to Bruce Flynn, director RMIS. In recent years, laptop computers – some containing protected information – have been targeted in many thefts. Property owned by or in the custody, care, and control of the University is protected under a self-insurance program, which is provided at no charge, but is subject to deductibles, paid by the department, after losses due to theft. For non-forced entry, such as when there are no visible signs of forced entry, the deductible is $5000; for forced entry, a $1000 deductible applies, still a sizeable expense. UCSF is working to ensure the security of protected health information and other sensitive data and to reinforce to the campus community that safeguarding electronic information is everyone’s responsibility. In May, Chancellor Mike Bishop, MD, appointed a Data Security Task Force and charged it with conducting a comprehensive, expedited review of actions taken and determining further actions needed to protect such data. The creation of this task force underscores the University’s commitment to securing its data. To help carry out its charge, the task force is conducting a campuswide review of computer and data security to identify where systems are vulnerable and to recommend how to secure them. Managers and supervisors are being contacted by the EIS office to assist in the assessment. For details on best security practices for faculty, staff, students, trainees and guests, go to the Office of Academic and Administrative Information Systems (OAAIS) website. If you wish to purchase this coverage, please contact Risk Management and Insurance Services, Box 1338, no later than Wednesday, Sept. 17. For questions regarding this coverage or for a risk assessment consultation to evaluate and control theft risks, please contact Angela Lucien, Property Program Coordinator, at 415/476-3661. For more information about Pointsec please see the EIS website.