Guidance for faculty and staff on keeping university equipment and data secure at work, at home, and on the road.
For formal guidance, please reference our full policy: Device Acceptable Usage Policy.
Stewardship
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 22:3)
Theft, loss, and damage are real threats. Stewardship means protecting what has been entrusted to our care.
In This Guide
- Overview
- Keeping your device physically secure
- Traveling with your device
- Working from home
- If a device is lost, stolen, or damaged
Overview
A TMU-issued laptop or phone holds more than hardware. It provides access to university systems and to information about students, colleagues, and the institution. Because the device is entrusted to you, you are responsible for its care and for the data on it.
Keeping your device physically secure
Take reasonable precautions against theft, loss, and damage at all times.
Vehicles
Important: Never leave a device unattended in a vehicle. This applies whether or not the vehicle is locked or the device is out of sight, and includes brief stops and parking lots, including TMU’s lots.
- Reality: Break-ins can take less than 10 seconds.
- The floor and trunk are not safe-spaces.
Public spaces
- Never leave a device unattended in a public space such as a coffee shop, library, or airport. This also applies on the TMU campus.
Traveling with your device
In transit
- Pack laptops and phones in your carry-on bag.
- At airport security, keep the device in sight and collect it promptly.
- Never leave it at a gate, a charging station, or a café.
At your destination
- Store the device in the hotel safe or another locked location.
- Do not leave it in a parked rental car.
- Connect through GlobalProtect VPN on hotel, airport, and other public Wi-Fi networks.
- Tip: Check vehicle seats when leaving a ride-share or shuttle.
Working from home
- Keep the device for your own use only. Do not let children, spouses, or roommates use it or sign in to your TMU accounts.
- Use GlobalProtect VPN whenever you are connected to your home network for work.
If a device is lost, stolen, or damaged
Report the incident immediately. Prompt reporting lets IT protect university data and begin replacing your equipment sooner.
| Step 1: Report promptly | Step 2: File a police report | Step 3: Provide details |
|---|---|---|
| Notify your supervisor and IT right away for any theft, loss, or damage. | If the device was stolen, file a police report and give IT a copy. | Tell IT what happened, where, and when; the device model, color, and asset tag; and whether it was powered down or in sleep mode. |
Why timely reporting matters: Prompt reporting enables the university to act quickly to protect the device and data.
Key principles
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Stepping out of a vehicle | Take the device with you. Never leave it inside. |
| Traveling | Carry-on bag, in sight at security, hotel safe at your destination. |
| Any off-campus Wi-Fi | Connect to GlobalProtect VPN. |
| Someone asks to borrow it | Decline. The device is assigned to you alone. |
| Liquid spill | Power off, blot, and contact IT immediately. |
| Lost, stolen, or damaged | Notify your supervisor and IT immediately; file a police report if stolen. |
Need help? Contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@masters.edu or 661.362.2876. Full policy: Device Acceptable Usage Policy.
