The following are policies of the State of Texas that apply to all state institutions of higher education. Each institution of higher education should apply the Security Standards Policy based on documented security risk management decisions:
- (1) Information resources residing in the various institutions of higher education of state government are strategic and vital assets belonging to the people of Texas. These assets must be available and protected commensurate with the value of the assets. Measures shall be taken to protect these assets against unauthorized access, disclosure, modification or destruction, whether accidental or deliberate, as well as to assure the availability, integrity, utility, authenticity, and confidentiality of information. Access to state information resources must be appropriately managed.
- (2) All institutions of higher education are required to have an information resources security program consistent with these standards, and the institution of higher education head is responsible for the protection of information resources.
- (3) All individuals are accountable for their actions relating to information resources. Information resources shall be used only for intended purposes as defined by the institution of higher education and consistent with applicable laws.
- (4) Risks to information resources must be managed. The expense of security safeguards must be commensurate with the value of the assets being protected.
- (5) The integrity of data, its source, its destination, and processes applied to it must be assured. Changes to data must be made only in an authorized manner.
- (6) Information resources must be available when needed. Continuity of information resources supporting critical governmental services must be ensured in the event of a disaster or business disruption.
- (7) Security requirements shall be identified, documented, and addressed in all phases of development or acquisition of information resources.
- (8) Institutions of higher education must ensure adequate controls and separation of duties for tasks that are susceptible to fraudulent or other unauthorized activity.
Source Note:The provisions of this §202.70 adopted to be effective November 28, 2004, 29 TexReg 10703.