Data Privacy Week is Jan. 26 through Feb. 1. It serves as a reminder that protecting personal and institutional information is everyone’s responsibility.
This year’s theme, “Take Control of Your Data,” encourages everyone to be proactive about data literacy and privacy.
Ways to take control of your data
Know what you share: Review the data you collect, store and share in your device settings.
Protect your information: Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication when available. Always store sensitive and confidential university files in approved systems.
Prompt responsibly: Avoid entering sensitive, confidential or proprietary university data into public AI tools. Information shared with AI chatbots can often be used to train future models, making it part of the public domain.
Understand privacy settings: Check privacy settings on platforms and tools you use for professional and personal use.
Be alert: Phishing, social engineering and accidental disclosures are common threats. Report suspicious activity to phish@appstate.edu.
By practicing good data habits, you help protect your own information and the university’s resources and reputation.
Resources
Data Privacy and Security Measures Checklist: Review best practices for devices, apps, internet browsing, email and social media
Faculty and Staff only–KnowBe4 training platform: Log in with your App State email address to access free videos and an interactive game on data privacy
National Cybersecurity Alliance:
Support and questions
Faculty & Staff
Visit the Training page on the Data at App State website for details on university data use and role-based training
Contact your division's data steward (login required)
Report a data or privacy security concern
Students
Report a data or privacy concern to the Information Technology Services Office of Information Security
Call the ITS Help Desk, 828-262-6266, weekdays, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Drop by the Tech Support Center for assistance with personal devices
In Boone — Anne Belk Hall, room 140
In Hickory — room 1414
Submit a support ticket
Two hands holding a lock with data (numbers) and information scattered around.
Data Privacy week is an international event occurring every January to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. This year's theme is: Take control of your data.