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Blackberry Security Procedures

This document describes the security guidelines developed by University ITS for Blackberry devices that are supported by University ITS.

In addition to the Laptop/Portable Computer Security Guidelines (http://itpolicy.uconn.edu/laptop04.html) , there are certain security precautions that must be taken with respect to Blackberry usage.

In order to protect the contents of your Blackberry in the event that it is lost or stolen, it is highly recommended that Blackberry users utilize the Password lock facility.

To set Security options:

  1. On the Home screen, click the Options icon.
  2. Click Security.
  3. Press the space key until the Security Timeout option appears. This option sets the duration of time that your handheld is idle before it locks. The default is set to 2 minutes. You may increase the duration, but keep in mind, that the longer the duration, the more at risk you are.
  4. Click Save.
  5. On the Home screen, click the Options icon.
  6. Click Security.
  7. Press the space key until the Password option appears. Select Enabled.
  8. Click the track wheel. A menu appears.
  9. In the New Password field, type a password. Note that the minimum password length is 6 characters. While there is no enforced requirement to specify a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, it is strongly recommended that you follow the Password Guidelines ( http://itpolicy.uconn.edu/pswd2004.html ).
  10. Click the track wheel. A dialog box appears.
  11. In the Verify New Password field, type the password again.
  12. Click the track wheel. The password is enabled.

Warning: The system is set up so that after the fifth time and eighth time that you have typed your password incorrectly you are prompted to type blackberry before you can continue.

After the fifth password attempt, the characters that you type are displayed in the Enter Password field.

If you type your password incorrectly ten consecutive times, all information (including all emails, address book content, calendar entries, etc.) is erased from your handheld for security reasons.

In addition to using password protection, the following steps should be taken in the event that your Blackberry device is lost, stolen or damaged:

  1. Promptly call the UITS Help Center (860 486-4357), option 2, to report the loss. Provide the following information: your name, cell number, and your department with a detailed description of what happened.
  2. Phone service will be suspended for the device.
  3. A request will be routed to the Server Group who will then carry out the following steps:

•  Stop new mail from being directed to the device from the server.

•  Remotely lock the device in the case where the password had not been set by the individual.

•  Wipe out all information (including all e-mails, address book content, calendar entries, etc.), assuming that wireless was turned on. [In the event that wireless was turned off, there would be access to the current e-mail on the device, however no new e-mail could be retrieved from the server and no e-mails could be sent from the device.]

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Updated: 6/28/2007