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A Publication Featuring The Information Services Technology of Maine State Government

Volume VII, Issue 7

July/August 2004

Beach Sand

What Is All The Talk of Security?

From reading the last issue’s article, I understand what security is, but as an employee how am I supposed to help?

You can ensure that you are protecting the State’s information from unauthorized disclosure of confidential or sensitive information (Confidentiality), from unauthorized modifications to systems or information (Integrity) and from disruption of services or procedures (Availability).

How do you do this?

Be familiar with people sitting at employees’ desks, or in your facility. If visitors are to have a badge, ask to see it. Be concerned with unfamiliar people in secured areas.
Do not disclose information in writing, over the phone or in person if you are not sure of the classification of information.
Be careful when opening email that is not familiar. If you question the authenticity, follow your agency’s procedures.
Make sure your agency’s critical systems are not available to unauthorized users, or that "generic" log-on passwords and usernames are not used.
Document, Document, Document. One of the highest risks in an organization is the fact that people don’t document processes or procedures. The availability of information for anyone to perform a task is critical. When people keep the information in their head, they put the organization at risk when they are out or retire.
Ensure that your critical systems have the necessary continuity equipment, i.e. Uninterruptible Power Source, battery packs, or fail-over procedures.

Please look for more Customer Service notes regarding Information Security over the next few months. Ginnie Ricker (Ginnie.Ricker@Maine.gov) has been tasked as Project Manager for the Department of Administrative and Financial Services’ Information Technology Security Policy Project.

[ Up ] [ Change is Coming to the COLD System ] [ Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards Now Available On-line ] [ Intranet Overhaul At the Retirement System ] [ Letter to the Editor ] [ Maine Telemedicine Services ] [ Opportunity ] [ Summer Challenge ] [ To Your Health and the Environment ] [ Transitions ] [ Various Technologies Used At Maine State Museum ] [ Walk In Wireless At 50+ Public Libaries ] [ What is all the talk of security? ] [ WIC Web Ed –Nutrition Education ]