What Illinois State University is doing to protect your personal information
Illinois State University has taken many steps to help keep your personal information safe.
Illinois State University is committed to helping make sure your personal information is used in a safe and secure manner.
Social Security Numbers
Your Social Security number (SSN) is an important, unique identifier. As outlined in the Campus Conduct Policy, Illinois State uses your Social Security number to accurately process and maintain educational and employment records. It is also used for mandatory tax reporting purposes.
Any record that contains your Social Security number is treated as confidential. Access to such records is limited and secure.
University ID Numbers
To further limit the number of people at Illinois State who have access to Social Security numbers, the University assigns each student, faculty, and staff member a unique University ID (UID) number. Your UID number is used for all business internal to the University.
As with Social Security numbers, university employees need special permission to access UID numbers. Because it's used for things like account recovery, you should keep your UID number private.
Passwords
Your ULID password grants you access to many systems at Illinois State University. You are the only person who should know your password—do not share it with anyone. No one else at Illinois State can see your password, including the Help Desk, your local technical support staff, and the administrators who manage the systems you use.
No one at Illinois State should ever ask you what your password is, and the University will NEVER ask you to send your password in email.
Compromised Accounts
The University maintains a sophisticated system for detecting ULID accounts that have been compromised and taken over by outside sources. When a compromised account is detected, the account is automatically blocked and secured by the University's mail system.
The University Computer Help Desk works with a person whose account has been compromised. The Help Desk assists in verifying the true account holder's identity and allows that person to regain control.
Encryption (https://)
Illinois State encrypts your online personal information when it is sent across the campus network or over the Internet. Encrypted data cannot be intercepted by a third party.
Before sending your personal information through a campus website, look at the web address to make sure it uses https:// (instead of just http://). The "s" in https:// means that the website is secure (i.e. encrypted).
Restrictions on Data Access
Most systems which store sensitive data like Social Security numbers are accessible only from authorized computers by authorized staff.
These systems can only be accessed from A) authorized on-campus computers and B) authorized off-campus computers connected through VPN. Requiring VPN connections from off campus means your data is isolated and protected from the Internet.
Physical Security
Not only is your personal information electronically secure, there is also a physical layer of security that protects your data. Systems that store and access sensitive data are literally protected by lock and key.
Not just anyone can put their hands on those servers. University employees who need physical access have been granted special security clearance.
Reporting Violations
If you believe you have evidence of a security violation at Illinois State University, send a report to abuse@ilstu.edu. Serious violations, including those involving identity theft and/or physical threats should also be reported to the Illinois State University police department.