Think twice before you attach a document!

27 Sep 2012

The majority of data breaches occur as a result of human error

Being mindful when sending documents as email attachments is paramount, particularly when sharing Excel spreadsheets.

Documents can end up in the inbox of the wrong person or confidential information may be unnecessarily included in attachments and accidentally disclosed.

Protecting personal information is vital to ensure both you and the University are not liable for any breach of data.

Consequences not only include severe financial penalties for the University and loss of reputation, but breaches cause considerable harm and distress to the staff and students who are the subjects of the data.

Imagine if it was personal data about you, such as medical, financial or legal, which had been wrongly disclosed?

So think:
 

• Do you know exactly what you are attaching? Are you sending the attachment to the right person? It is easy to click on the wrong person in a dropdown list!
   
• Do you know how easy it is to encrypt a document?