Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Q: What do I do if there has been a loss of data, compromise of data or data leak, whether it is my own fault or not?
A: In the first instance, report it to your line manager and/or the Records Management Office.
Q: What do I do if my PC or laptop is stolen?
A: Report it to your line manager and the on site police liaison officer (Tel: 0161 275 7042) or the local police if you are off site. With your line manager you should consider whether the laptop contained any sensitive or personal data which could be damaging or embarrassing to yourself or the University. Contact the Records Management Office for further advice.
Q: What about sensitive data on my mobile phone or PDA?
A: The advice is not to keep sensitive data on these devices. You should consider whether you would want anyone else to see the data held on your phone or PDA and if not, then keep it somewhere else!
Q: If I encrypt a file or USB stick and forget my password or passphrase, how can the data be recovered?
A: Quite simply the data cannot be recovered and IT support staff cannot recover the data either. For this reason you must ensure that you only encrypt a copy of the data and never encrypt the only source of any data.
Q: How does the Data Protection Act define personal sensitive data?
A: Consult The Data Protection Act directly for a definition of personal sensitive data.
Q: How does the Freedom of Information Act define commercially sensitive data?
A: Consult The Freedom of Information Act for a definition of commercially sensitive data.
Q: What is the Records Management Office?
A: Visit the Records Management Office's web site for further information.
Q: How do I report any other IT security issue?
A: Report it by e-mail to cert@manchester.ac.uk. See http://www.itservices.manchester.ac.uk/secure-it/reporting for more information.