Confidential Information Access Standard

Purpose

Personnel, student, and financial information^[1] contained within the WPI’s information systems is considered confidential. Access to this confidential information and any other information made confidential by law and WPI policy is limited to those individuals whose position requires use of this information. By signing the statement below, you are acknowledging your acceptance and adherence to this confidentiality requirements imposed by federal and state law and WPI policy. If any questions about the legitimate use or release of information arise later, please contact your supervisor and/or the designated data administrator for the area.

Scope

This standard covers any employees: full-time, part-time, temporary, permanent, adjunct, or student. It also covers other WPI associates having access to WPI confidential information. It applies to all information not categorized as public, as defined by data administrators. It covers all data and information in any format: electronic, paper, email, verbal, or any other format.

Standard

Before obtaining access to confidential WPI information, employees sign either the Access to Information Compliance Form or the WPI Human Resources form indicating that the employee has read the Policy and Benefits Manual.

1: The disclosure of information from student records is governed by the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) [20 U.S.C § 1232g]. Health information is governed by and protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Financial information is protected by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). Social Security Number disclosure is governed by the Federal Privacy Act of 1974.

Revision History:

Approved: December 4, 2007

Maintained by itweb
Last modified: Jan 18, 2008, 16:35 UTC