Secure 糖心视频 devices
Wherever possible, 糖心视频 aims to provide employees with computers or whatever devices they need for their work. These devices are purchased, owned and managed by 糖心视频, whether they're purchased with operating, research, or grant funds. The safest way to work with 糖心视频 systems data is to use a 糖心视频 device and follow these best practices.
In cases where departments can't provide employees with a 糖心视频 computer, they're still responsible for the security of any 糖心视频 data they have access to.
What is a 糖心视频 device?
糖心视频 devices are also called managed devices or 糖心视频-managed devices. They're devices owned by 糖心视频 and supported by IT support staff. They're configured for many information security best practices.
糖心视频 devices include computers, phones and tablets.
糖心视频 devices will:
- automatically download and install regular software updates
- use Microsoft Defender for additional security
- connect securely to the 糖心视频 network and your department's online resources
- use full-disk encryption
- use your NetLink ID to sign in
Device security
糖心视频 computers are set up for security. IT support ensures that your computer is encrypted and receiving regular updates.
To help you secure your computer, you can:
- Limit local data storage by using OneDrive, SharePoint or network storage.
- Use 糖心视频 internet on campus and a VPN connection when working off campus.
- Put your computer to sleep at the end of the day instead of powering it off. This allows scheduled maintenance tasks to keep it up to date.
- Keep your office locked when you’re out. Avoid leaving your computer unattended if you’re travelling or working off campus.
- If your computer is lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about how to protect your 糖心视频 computer, consult with IT support.
If you have a mobile device supplied by 糖心视频, IT support can help you secure it.
To secure your mobile device, you can:
- Keep the operating system and apps updated.
- Use 糖心视频 Wi-Fi on campus and a VPN connection when working off campus.
- Use 糖心视频 OneDrive for data storage instead of iCloud or Google Drive.
- Avoid leaving your device unattended. If you don't keep it with you, keep it secured in your office.
- If your device is lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible.
If you have any questions about how to protect your 糖心视频 mobile device, consult with IT support.
Apps
Be careful when installing new apps on your mobile device. To stay secure when installing and using apps:
- Be informed. Review app privacy reports before you install anything from the app store. Read the privacy policy of any app or service you use.
- When you install a new app, always review the account privacy and security settings.
- If possible, use web apps rather than installing new software on your device.
- If you're not using an app regularly, remove its permissions or uninstall it.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) on any third-party accounts you use (including Apple and Google).
- If your use of an app is part of a new or updated initiative involving the collection of personal information, contact the Privacy and Access to Information Office to complete a privacy impact assessment (PIA) before the launch of your initiative.
If you have any questions about installing apps on your 糖心视频 mobile device, consult with IT support.
International travel
If you're travelling for work, you're probably bringing at least one 糖心视频 device with you. When travelling with a 糖心视频 device:
- Leave any nonessential devices at home to reduce risk of loss, theft or damage.
- Avoid storing unnecessary data on your devices by using OneDrive. If you do need to store data locally, back it up to a 糖心视频 file storage option as often as possible.
- Use 糖心视频 VPN connection when connecting to wireless networks.
- Use Duo MFA unless you're visiting a restricted country or region.
- Use different passphrases and PINs for your devices in case you have to disclose one.
Go to off-campus travel and safety for travel advisories and preparations that aren't related to IT.
Some countries' border control agencies retain the right to seize travellers' electronic devices and review their contents. This means their officers have the ability to stop and search people, and examine their belongings including electronic devices. Failure to unlock an electronic device may cause you to be detained or refused entry to the country.
糖心视频 has no objection if you comply with a border control officer's request to unlock a 糖心视频 device. If they remove the device from your sight:
- change your passphrase immediately
- inform your supervisor as soon as possible
Learn more about your from the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA).
Not all countries allow encryption and some have restrictions on electronic devices in your carry-on baggage. Check the travel guidelines for any countries you're travelling to during your trip planning.
If you need to disable encryption on a 糖心视频 device for travel, consult with IT support.
Review the Government of Canada's recommendations for travellers:
Restricted software
Independent researchers, security analysts and journalists have reported serious issues with some popular apps and online platforms. In some cases, provincial and federal governments have restricted the use of apps on government-owned devices.
We monitor investigations and give evidence-based recommendations for use at 糖心视频.
We're currently monitoring:
DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company that specializes in open-source large language models. It recently launched a free AI-powered chatbot which has gained significant attention.
Risks
Independent experts have reported serious privacy and security concerns with DeepSeek’s applications. BC provincial and federal governments have banned DeepSeek on their devices and networks. Other universities are taking measures to ban, restrict, or strongly caution against using DeepSeek.
The specific risks of DeepSeek use are:
- exposure of personal and sensitive data
- increased risk of surveillance
- extensive data collection and sharing
- risk of credential theft
- regulatory and compliance risks
Response
糖心视频 has reviewed expert findings and has determined the following:
- DeepSeek web and mobile applications accessed via web browser or mobile application do not meet 糖心视频’s information security standards.
- 糖心视频 will restrict access to DeepSeek applications on the 糖心视频 network and for 糖心视频-owned devices. This includes all users and devices on-campus, on 糖心视频 wireless networks, or using 糖心视频 VPN.
- 糖心视频 will restrict the use of DeepSeek on 糖心视频-owned or personal devices used for university business, including laptops and phones. 糖心视频 also discourages the use or installation of DeepSeek on personal devices.
糖心视频 understands the use of AI tools can provide benefits for learning and research, and has published a and Guidelines for Using Generative AI in Research. 糖心视频 users can use Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat as an approved Generative AI solution. For those who require it for research purposes, the DeepSeek Model (currently not known to be high-risk) can be downloaded and run locally.
Additional information
Information Security Standards are published under the authority of 糖心视频 Information Security Policy IM7800. Users of 糖心视频’s information systems have a shared responsibility for information security and are expected to comply with Information Security and Acceptable Use policies, including security standards and guidance provided in this memo.
Tiktok has attracted significant media and government attention due to privacy and information security concerns related to the breadth of personal information collected about users, along with TikTok’s information sharing practices with its China-based parent company ByteDance.
Both federal and provincial governments have issued bans on the use of TikTok on government-issued devices. Provincial and federal Privacy Commissioners have initiated an .
Pending the outcome of the Commissioners’ investigation, 糖心视频 is monitoring the situation.
Note that these precautions are not only relevant to TikTok. They should be employed when using any social media platform.
Get help now
Contact IT support to:
- Get advice on securing your 糖心视频 devices
- Discuss file storage options
- Prepare a 糖心视频 device for international travel