What Qualifies as a Privacy or Information Security Incident?
A privacy incident occurs when personal information is accessed, collected, used, disclosed or disposed of without proper authorization.
An information security incident is the suspected or actual unauthorized access, use, disclosure, modification, or destruction of UBC electronic information or interference with information technology operations.
Some common examples of privacy or information security incidents that should be reported
You suspect there is malware or a virus on your device
You have sent personal information to the wrong person by mistake
You received or responded to a phishing email
(What is a phishing email?)
A mobile device you use to access UBC services (e.g. FASmail) was lost or stolen
Somebody broke into your office and may have seen or stolen confidential files
You think a UBC website you manage or use has been hacked
What Should I Do?
If a device you use to access UBC services (e.g. FASmail) was lost or stolen:
For all other privacy or information security incidents:
Depending on the severity of the situation, you will also need to inform:
- Your supervisor - for all incidents, except for phishing attempts.
- Departmental IT support - for all incidents involving electronic information and/or systems they support (e.g. lost devices, malware, hacked websites).
- Campus security - for all incidents that involve the physical security of the UBC campus (e.g. you suspect a crime has occurred). Call 604.822.2222 (Vancouver) or 250.807.9236 (Okanagan).
What if I Receive a Suspicious Email?
If you receive a phishing email (learn more about phishing email), a suspicious attachment, or harassing emails, please report the email to security@ubc.ca, and include the email as an attachment.
In the case of virus-infected emails, please provide the name of the virus as identified by your anti-virus software. Threatening or harassing emails should also be reported to your manager, supervisor or local HR representative.
What if My Computer is Acting Strangely?
If your computer is acting strangely, contact your local IT support to help identify the issue.
If it does not appear to be a technical issue and persists, you can either:
- Send an email to security@ubc.ca describing the issue
- Contact your local IT support
- Visit the Help Desk
- UBC Vancouver IT Help Desk at the Koerner Library (1958 Main Mall)
- UBC Okanagan IT Help Desk at ADM024B (basement of the Administration building)