What is Information Assurance and How Does It Affect Me?

The University has developed a set of Information Assurance policies and all members of the University must abide by these policies.  These can be found on the Information Services Policy Documents website:

www.ulster.ac.uk/isd/policies

The devices and services offered by Information Services are compliant with  “Electronic Information Assurance Policy – Electronic Document Handling – Secure Storage and Archival Code of Practice”.

Download our leaflet Securing Portable IT Devices and Electronic Document Protection for an overview of the key concepts of Information Assurance and portable devices such as IronKey, encypted laptops and encrypted external hard drives.

Secure Remote Access Service (SRAS)

The University appreciates that access may be required to the corporate ICT network and services when staff and 3rd parties are working remotely in order to support business needs. The mechanism by which this is provided must be securely managed with full auditing in order to meet IT Security standards, protecting sensitive information on the corporate network.

Information Services has developed the Secure Remote Access Service (SRAS), which provides users with a multi-layered approach to remote access, from secure web-based connection, to Active Directory (AD) server file sharing, to the ability to remotely access staff University Workstations.

IronKey:  Secure USB Memory Drive

IronKey is an encrypted USB pen drive that can store sensitive data securely. It is password-protected and if an unauthorised person attempts to access the drive by trying different passwords, all data on the drive will be wiped after 10 successive, failed attempts. If someone physically tampers with the device, a self-destruct sequence is initiated.  The device can be managed remotely so that, in the event of a loss or theft, it can be disabled or terminated via the internet.
 

Costs are detailed in the table below, assuming device purchase in Autumn 2010. Device Initial Cost Maintenance (April 2011) Maintenance (April 2012) 2Gb IronKey £67* £12.50 £12.50

The key features of the IronKey Enterprise service are listed on their website

* Initial Cost includes VAT

FreeAgent GO: Encryptable External Hard Drive

FreeAgent GO is an encryptable external hard drive that can store sensitive data securely. It is password-protected.

The Seagate FreeAgent 320GB USB2 device is available from ISD at a cost of £52.00 including VAT

The key features of the FreeAgent GO 320GB USB2 device are listed on their website.

Secure Laptops Service

A secure laptop is a “business class” encrypted device with a pre-installed standard University desktop that complies with current security recommendations to protect sensitive corporate data.

Information Services has published a minimum technical specification for secure laptops retaining University data. ISD will undertake to initiate these devices and install a University standard desktop.

For advice on the Information Assurance services and products supplied by Information Services, please contact the ISD Service Desk on extension 66777 or email servicedesk@ulster.ac.uk