Email Security Policy

Email Security Policy

Policy Name: Email Security Policy
Policy ID Number: 03-05-006
Version Effective Date:  April 5, 2019
Last reviewed on: January 1, 2019
Policy Applies To: University Employees and Students
Responsible Office: Information Technology


INTRODUCTION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The University recognizes the necessity of providing Email that is free from computer viruses and harmful attachments. In addition, the University views advertisements via Email, commonly known as Spam, as a waste of resources and will make every effort to prevent NJCU systems from promoting or passing these type of messages.

POLICY
The University accepts Microsoft鈥檚 definition of Level 1 & 2 attachments that present a security risk and will follow Microsoft鈥檚 recommendation that all Level 1 attachments will not be allowed to pass through the University鈥檚 Email system. Level 2 attachments will be allowed to pass through but will be rigorously tested for viruses and other harmful programs. As an additional security measure, anti-virus software is installed on all University computers. To prevent the proliferation of Spam, NJCU uses several methods, from relay blocking to the direct blocking of problematic domains listed with the following Spam tracking services:

  • Barracuda Spam Firewall
  • Barracuda block list
  • Spamhaus block list
  • SpamCop block list

Email is often the medium of hacker attacks, confidentiality breaches, viruses and other malware. These issues can compromise our reputation, legality and security of our equipment. Employees must: 

  • Select strong passwords with at least eight characters (capital and lower-case letters, symbols and numbers) without using personal information (e.g. birthdays.)
  • Remember passwords instead of writing them down and keep them secret.
  • Change their email password every six months.

Employees should always be vigilant to catch emails that carry malware or phishing attempts. We instruct employees to:

  • Avoid opening attachments and clicking on links when content is not adequately explained (e.g. 鈥淲atch this video, it鈥檚 amazing.鈥, 鈥淎re you available鈥, 鈥淕ift Cards鈥.)
  • Be suspicious of clickbait titles.
  • Check email and names of unknown senders to ensure they are legitimate.
  • Look for inconsistencies or style red flags (e.g. grammar mistakes, capital letters, excessive number of exclamation marks, misspelled words.)

If an employee is not sure that an email they received is safe, they can ask our Helpdesk. We remind our employees to keep their anti-malware and virus programs updated.

PROCEDURE
For your safety and the safety of the University network, Email that passes through the University Email system (both in-coming and out-going messages) is automatically scanned for viruses, including the attachment, using the Barracuda Spam Firewall.

Level 1 attachments, deemed too dangerous for transfer, such as URL shortcuts (.url), programs (.exe), et-cetera, are blocked.

Level 2 attachments, equally dangerous but allowed to pass through, are rigorously checked for viruses using the latest virus identifiers available.

Attachments, not on the Level 1 or Level 2 list (a.k.a. Level 3 attachments), will be scanned and usually pass through with no issues. All email, sent or received, will be scanned for viruses at two levels: Barracuda and Client.

Server Processes
The Barracuda Firewall will block any Level 1 attachment. The sender will get an error message stating why the file was blocked. Files found to contain a virus are blocked and the sender will be notified that the email was not delivered. The recipient will not receive any notice. As part of Exchange Email services, messages from domains that appear on the block list are automatically blocked.

Client Security Process
In the event a virus gets through, new and updated versions of Outlook will not allow the client to access Level 1 attachments. The client anti-virus program will scan these files for viruses. The software will attempt to clean the file anytime a virus in an email is detected. If the software cannot clean the file, it is deleted or quarantined. If Outlook is set up to filter Spam, advertisement messages will be moved to the Junk E-Mail folder.

Guidelines
Scanning messages and files at the server level is extremely processor intensive. The total number of users and the use of Email Listserv lists further exacerbate this issue. For example, a message to the University staff list generates 900+ Emails. If the message has an attachment, the list also generates 900+ copies of it! The University hosts 40,000+ Email accounts and many lists. The University Email system is very busy 24/7. To ease Email processing and delivery delays, please follow these guidelines:

  • Choose plain text over HTML-based messages: Plain text messages pass through the system without checking. HTML-based messages are checked. This option can be switched in Outlook by selecting Format Text tab and Plain Text.
  • Limit attachments size: If you need to include an attachment, send it in a form that will not exceed 15mb for the total size of the email.

DATE TO INITIATE REVIEW AND UPDATE
As deemed necessary or appropriate by the Policy Coordinator but at a minimum, at least every 5 years from the date of last review.