New Mobile Computing Regulation

ECU has a newly approved Mobile Computing Regulation, which was posted to our University Policy Manual on 11/26/19. This regulation defines employee responsibilities pertaining to mobile computing, including laptops, tablets, or smartphones The policy covers such matters as authorization to access or store sensitive information on mobile devices, device security, device replacement and disposal, and loss or theft of a covered device. One big area to highlight in the regulation concerns the importance of encryption. Employees will ensure all sensitive university information stored on covered devices is encrypted, whether it involves a personally owned device or one owned and provided by the University. Regarding university-owned equipment, the policy defines responsibilities of IT support staff to enable encryption on university-owned laptops and mobile computing devices prior to being provided to users, and following each time serviced thereafter. The policy also highlights the importance of administrative heads and supervisors ensuring that other employees are aware of their responsibilities to use mobile computing devices appropriately in order to safeguard university information.