Strengthening Data Security: New Sensitivity Labeling for PII & Financial Data
Dear Howard University Community,
As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations, we are excited to announce the implementation of Data Sensitivity Labeling for Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and financial data across our Microsoft 365 environment.
What to Expect
Beginning February 17, you will begin to see sensitivity labels applied to documents and emails containing PII and financial data. Additionally, when you attempt to handle or share such sensitive information, you will receive warning alerts to remind you of the data’s confidentiality and the necessary precautions required.
Example of a Warning Alert & Label
When you try to share a document labeled as "Confidential", a warning alert will appear with the following message:
“Warning: You are about to share a document containing Confidential information. Please ensure that you are authorized to share this data and that you are using a secure method of transmission.”
Find answers on our FAQ sheet, if you have any questions.
Your Role in Protecting Sensitive Data
To ensure the success of this initiative, please:
- Pay attention to labels - Always be aware of the sensitivity labels on documents and emails. Handle each type of data according to its classification.
- Respond to alerts - When you receive a warning alert, review the information and follow best practices for data protection.
- Protect sensitive information - Avoid sharing confidential data through unsecured channels. Use approved methods for transmitting sensitive information.
- Report issues - If you encounter any problems or have questions about handling sensitive data, contact the ETS at 202-806-2020 or report an incident via the ESC Portal.
Implementing Data Sensitivity Labeling is a vital step in strengthening our data protection efforts and maintaining the trust of our clients and partners. Your cooperation and diligence are essential to the success of this initiative. The Data Sensitivity training is available on your cybersecurity training platform. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with this portal, and all of the available resources to enhance your cyber knowledge. Thank you for your attention and commitment to keeping our data secure.
In Truth and Service,
Enterprise Technology Service