March 5, 2012

New Security Policy for Smart Devices Coming Soon

Emory's recently approved security policy for smart devices (smartphones, tablets, etc.) that access Emory email, or store sensitive Emory data, will be implemented in the coming months on devices that are configured to check Emory Exchange e-mail. You may read the policy, announced in January, at http://policies.emory.edu/5.14.

Smart device use has grown substantially over the past five years. Recent statistics show that 40 percent of US cell phone owners now have smart phones, which are becoming the dominant general phone platform. Unfortunately, thefts of these devices have also risen. Last year two million smart devices were stolen; that'ss one every 15 seconds. Protecting the information of the Emory's patients, faculty, staff, and students is vital to the institution's mission. Studies show that 54 percent of smart phone users never put a PIN on their phones, and leaving various applications logged-in all the time increases risk and vulnerability.

The policy's immediate impact to users is that any smart device accessing Emory's Exchange email will be required to enable a four-digit PIN/password and encryption of data stored on the device.  In the event that the PIN/password is entered incorrectly ten times in a row the policy will also trigger a data wipe on the device. This policy applies to all smart devices used to access Emory Exchange, regardless of whether or not the device is owned by Emory. Emory's Office of Information Technology has developed a website that will help you prepare for the policy that can be found by browsing to http://it.emory.edu/security/smart_device/. There you will find FAQs about the policy, as well as documentation about what you should expect to see on your smart device.

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