Humanities Information Systems

Sensitive Data Guide

• For More Information
• Sensitive Data and You
• What is Sensitive Data?
• What Laws Regulate Sensitive Data?
• Care and Handling of Sensitive Data
• Disposal of Sensitive Data
• Data Exposures
• Examples of Recent Data Exposures

For More Information:

• Humanities Information Systems
  Support Services
• By Phone: 614-292-8662
• By Email: hishelp@osu.edu
• In Person:
  455 Hagerty Hall
  1775 College Road
• Support Services Staff

Security

Sensitive Data Guide

Disposal of Sensitive Data

Handling and storing sensitive data are only half of the battle to protect our data. Many overlook the need to ensure proper disposal of computers and physical files containing sensitive data.

Shredding:

Documents containing sensitive data should never be thrown into the trash intact. Any data exposed by someone by riffling through our trash is still our responsibility. Stewards of sensitive data are expected to take reasonable measures to ensure the documents are destroyed and not easy to reassemble by outside parties. Using a paper shredder with a cross shredding blade will make it significantly more difficult for the data to be reconstructed and exposed. Many inexpensive shredders can also be used to destroy compact discs that contain sensitive data.

Hard Drive Disposal:

A normal format performed from Windows or OS X is not enough when dealing with sensitive data. Make sure to inform HIS Support Services staff that you maintained sensitive files on your computer whenever service is performed. Depending on the level of sensitivity, extra steps may be required to irrevocably destroy stored data and prevent subsequent recovery.