January 28th is Data Privacy Day!

January 28th is Data Privacy Day! This day highlights the importance of protecting personal and confidential information by raising awareness about the relationship between technology, privacy and data.

Data privacy plays a major role in higher education. In broad terms, data privacy is about how information is collected, stored and managed according to institutional policies and legislation — all to protect you and your information. At McMaster, the Information Security Services team and the Privacy Office (University Secretariat) lead the defense for the community.  

McMaster’s Privacy Office ensures organizational and data compliance through institutional policies and ensures they are aligned with relevant legislation.

“McMaster is committed to openness and transparency of its operations, activities, policies and procedures through regular publications, training and online resources. Ensuring organizational compliance with data privacy laws is a priority across the university community, and the privacy office acts as a partner providing advice, guidance and policy direction to ensure McMaster embraces privacy best practices and complies with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and other relevant legislation,“ says Trudi Wright, Privacy & Records Management Specialist.

As the pandemic has required more digital learning environments, instructors have greater abilities to share course information in diverse ways. The University Secretariat has many resources for you to gather more information on data privacy and policies. 

With day-to-day technical operations, the Information Security Services team, in collaboration with all of McMaster IT, maintain data protection for the community.  

“Every member of the McMaster community has access to sensitive information such as research data, student records, financial data, or your own personal information. Because of that, we all have a role to play in protecting the information we access, as well as ensuring everyone’s privacy – including our own. Our Information Security policies provide concrete procedures, guidelines and standards that will help everyone identify sensitive information and make informed decisions to protect it,” says Tracy Dallaire, Director of Information Security.

Data privacy is a team effort, and every member of the McMaster community has a role in keeping your data and your peers’ data safe. McMaster’s Information Security Services team has many resources to help spread awareness of cyber security. A new phishing awareness course, offered through Avenue to Learn, is also available for the community. 

Mark January 28th by learning more about how to protect your data!