Digital Safety Guidance

Consult these official University regulations and policies to help you manage your digital footprint on social media and beyond and to comply with the University's computing and data management regulations.

Managing Your Digital Footprint

The University's Institute for Academic Development (IAD) offers helpful workshops, resources and advice to help you manage your digital footprint. 

IAD Managing Your Digital Footprint service

Social Media Use

University guidelines and advice for using social media as a member of the University of Edinburgh community.

University of Edinburgh social media guidelines

Guidelines for those using social media in a work context, while representing the University. While the University encourages colleagues to engage, collaborate and innovate using social media, it is important to be mindful of the potential impact of your online engagements. This page also contains a downloadable guide for students using social media both within and outside of the University context.

University of Edinburgh social media guidelines

Careers Service guide to using social media

Curated links and general social media tips on the best ways to use LinkedIn and Twitter for your job search, provided by the University Careers Service.

Careers Service guide to using social media

Information Security Policy and Regulations

Official University guidelines and regulations for the secure use of University of Edinburgh networks and devices, written and curated by the University’s Information Security Division.

University of Edinburgh Computing Regulations

These regulations govern the use of all University computing and network facilities by staff, students and all authorised users.

University of Edinburgh Computing Regulations

University of Edinburgh Information Security Policy

University policy states that the information it is responsible for will be appropriately secured. The Information Security Policy provides a framework for how this will be done.

University of Edinburgh Information Security Policy

Guidance on How to Conform with Policy

University of Edinburgh Information Security Strategy

This document outlines the current security landscape at the University and plans to address it.

University of Edinburgh Information Security Strategy

Policy on Taking Sensitive Data Out of the Secure Computing Environment

The University’s policy on taking sensitive information and personal data outside the secure computing environment.

University of Edinburgh Sensitive Data Policy

University of Edinburgh BYOD (bring your own device) Policy

Resources for all staff (including Postgraduate Researcher tutors and demonstrators) using personally owned devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, laptops, netbooks, and similar equipment to store, access, carry, transmit, receive or use University information or data on an occasional or regular basis.

University of Edinburgh BYOD Policy

University of Edinburgh Advice for Encrypting Devices and Documents

Encryption is easy to use and provides strong protection for University information. Encrypt your devices (laptops, mobile phone, tablets) as well as your USB sticks to keep your data safe.

Advice for Encrypting Devices and Documents

Using LastPass Password Manager – free for all students

Password Managers take a lot of the stress out of remembering and maintaining large numbers of passwords and keeps them safe. LastPass Premium Password Manager is now available to all students of the University for free and will be available for all staff by 31 March 2020.

Information about LastPass free password manager

Data Protection

The University is committed to data protection and supports the data protection rights of all those with whom it works including, but not limited to, staff, students, visitors, alumni and research participants.

University of Edinburgh Data Protection Policy

This document sets out the accountability and responsibilities of the University, its staff and its students to comply fully with the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (“the GDPR”) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (“the DPA”).

University of Edinburgh Data Protection Policy

© Victoria Madden, University of Edinburgh, 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0, unless otherwise indicated.