Protecting and securing electronic devices, other valuable belongings

April 08, 2019

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Chief of Police Nader Oweis, and Chief Information Security Officer Byron Walker

Re: Protecting and securing electronic devices, other valuable belongings

 

Following a rash of thefts on and off campus, we want to encourage our community members to remain vigilant in protecting their valuable personal and professional belongings.

UC Santa Cruz police officers have seen a spike in crimes of opportunity—theft of electronic devices (e.g., phones, computers, tablets, etc.), bags, and more. Many of the reports have stemmed from the items being left unattended, and we have learned of an increase of burglaries from locked vehicles off campus. People should avoid leaving their electronic devices in a vehicle, as thieves may still try to break in to steal the device.

Campus community members are encouraged to keep their belongings with them or in a secure location to reduce the risk of theft. In addition, electronic devices should have a strong password, and full disk encryption should be considered. This practice means the contents of the computer’s hard drive are protected, even if it is stolen. This is particularly important for campus employees who work with sensitive and confidential information.

Anyone who witnesses something suspicious or a crime, or who has information regarding any crime is encouraged to dial 911 or call the UC Santa Cruz Police Department at 831-459-2231, ext. 1.

Safety Tips

Secure your vehicle

  • Do not leave anything in plain view
  • Always remember to lock your doors and roll up windows to a safe height
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • If you leave your vehicle, bring your car keys! A thief’s window of opportunity is less than a minute

At home or on campus

  • Make sure all doors and windows are closed and locked, even if you are leaving for just a brief moment
  • Try to keep valuables out of sight from windows or away from doors
  • Beware of extortion schemes

Out and about

  • Remember that the cubbies at OPERS and at dining halls are unmonitored
  • Don’t leave your backpack or computer unattended

ITS Support

To report a security incident:  https://its.ucsc.edu/security/report.html

More information about protecting laptops: https://its.ucsc.edu/news/laptop-data-security.html

For questions or assistance from ITS, open a support ticket, call 831-459-HELP (9-4357), or email help@ucsc.edu.