The Information Technology Security Officer (ITSO) oversees the U of A’s efforts to protect its computing and information assets and to comply with applicable regulations, laws, and policies. The ITSO reports to Vice-Provost Information Technology.
The ITSO’s approach to security is more proactive than reactive, and prioritizes according to risk and threat level. Priority is also given to those threats and incidents that have institution-level impact and/or require university-wide coordination.
Safeguarding the U of A’s Information Technology (IT) resources and information requires more than just anti-virus software. It requires you!
Protecting university IT resources and data requires diligence and cooperation from all stakeholders including faculty, staff, and students. Risks and exposures to the university’s IT resources, which includes but is not limited to the network, computers, and data, are many and varied. We therefore need your commitment to secure your computer, keep your data safe, and use IT resources in a responsible and appropriate manner.
The time required to keep your computer and use of IT resources secure is vastly less than recovering from a security breach. Your computer and records/data is unavailable to you after compromise, and the negative impact in terms of monetary, legal liability, regulatory body sanction, and public relations is potentially enormous.
The ITSO office is developing policies, standards, guidelines, security awareness training, and other resources to empower and help the U of A community safeguard and protect IT resources and data.
Information Technology Security Officer: Gordie Mah
Phone: +1 780 492-8607
Email: gordie.mah@ualberta.ca