Information Security Resources

The University of Regina is seeks to provide an environment that is safe for your information. However, one of the key principles of Information Security is that information security is everyone’s responsibility. This includes all Faculty, Staff, and Students. It is each individual’s responsibility to ensure that devices and data in their care are properly protected.

To help ensure your information remains yours, please review the following resources and practice the recommendations within.

Patches and Updates

• Ensure all your devices are running current versions, and have applied all software updates. Failing to do so, will allow the exploitation of well-known vulnerabilities. This includes operating systems, applications, and plug-ins. Whenever possible, turn on automatic updates.
• If you are using a managed Micro Focus OES desktop, Information Services will provide updates for the operating system and core software.

Anti-Virus and Anti-Malware

• Ensure you have installed and updated Anti-Virus clients. Sophos Antivirus is a part of the Micro Focus OES managed desktops for Faculty, Staff, and Labs.
• For non-managed machines and personal computers, use the recommended (and free) Anti-Virus tools.
• Also, Anti-Malware tools are becoming increasingly important.
• Protect your home and personally managed system by using the Canadian Shield Personal DNS firewall.  It is free and helps defend against malware/ransomware and phishing.

Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)

• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), adds an extra layer of security to University of Regina accounts to protect you, and University systems from attacks on your account, which could result in unauthorized access to your accounts.
  

Passwords

• Passwords are often the only proof that we are who we say we are.
• Do not let your passwords be compromised.
• Learn how to create and use strong passwords by choosing passwords which follow password guidelines.
• Use password tools such as two factor authentication and password managers to help strengthen your passwords to keep your information secure.
• Learn about the password standards which govern user accounts and applications/systems authentication at the University of Regina, including the Password Management Standard  and Authentication Management Standard .
  

Phishing - Do Not Take the Bait

• You have probably recieved a fraudulent email message at some point. Email fraud can take many forms, such as requests for help, bogus offers, or requests for account information. All these fraudulent emails are after your information.
• Protect yourself and the University against phishing attempts. 

Protect Your Assets

• Multi-factor Authentication Information
• Limit network access to your computer with campus firewalls.
• Protect the availablity and integrity of your data by backing up. 
• Reduce risk of compromise of data with file encryption or theft of hardware by practising good physical security. 
• By following mobile device security practices, your smallest device will not be your biggest loss.

Keep Informed

• Review security news and headlines, be aware of applicable policies to your activities, partake in Information Security Awareness Training, and be aware of any information security advisories affecting the IT environment.  
• Safe Computing: Virus Safety, Backing Up Data, and Using Network Drives
• Computer Security Brochure