Security

The Holyoke Community College Information Technology Division has provided software to help protect our students through agreements with our vendors. Additional protections are also in place as part of network services provided to mitigate the potential damage malicious software may cause.

Even though many things are in place to assist in preventing the spread of malicious software and unauthorized use of data, the most important thing anyone can do is take individual responsibility for protecting the computers you use and any personally identifiable information that may be stored on them. For example, it's not enough to just have antivirus software installed on a computer. Periodic updates of the antivirus software and scans of the computer must be done as well. These can be set to occur automatically. But you should be proactive in testing and checking these scans. Information Technology Division members can provide training and assistance if needed.

There are also a lot of scams out there like Phishing schemes, pop ups and fraudulent links. Please read through the information provided by clicking on the links to learn more about protecting your machine and your personal identity.

Training

Pioneer Valley Information Security Awareness Conference (PVISAC)

Information Security @ HCC

Utilities to help protect yourself

Microsoft Essentials (Our Antimalware provider)

Malwarebytes

Truecrypt - Encryption software

Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines

College

HCC Acceptable Use Policy - page 36 of Student Handbook

HCC Information Security Policy

Red Flags Policy

Federal

Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (PDF) Attempts to balance the interest of the Internet Service Providers and copyright owners when copyright infringement occurs in the digital environment.

HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, also known as the Buckley Amendment

Gramm-Leach-Biley Act - The Financial Modernization Act of 1999, also known as the GLB Act, includes provisions to protect consumers' personal financial information held by financial institutions.

Section 1030 - Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers (Cornell School of Law)

HEOA - Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

State

Mass General Law 93H - Security Breaches

Mass General Law 93I - Disposition and Destruction of Records

201 CMR 17 - Standards for the Protection of Personal Information of Residents of the Commonwealth

Resources:

Computer Crime and Intellectual Property - From Department of Justice

Gigalaw.com Legal Information for Internet Professionals addresses business law, crime, copyright, privacy, etc.

CyberLaw Encyclopedia - Collection of articles pertaining E-Commerce and Information Technology Law

Internet Legal Issues - A collection of Internet Legal Issues from Bitlaw.com

OnGuard OnLine - Practical Tips