Shielding Your Research: How to Keep Your Data Private from Microsoft

In an era where data privacy is constantly under threat due to its value, it's important to understand what settings are available to you to best protect it. This presentation will provide you with practical, no-nonsense guidance on how to adjust privacy settings across various Microsoft products to ensure your research data remains confidential. You will be provided with a framework for assessing the privacy of software as a service provider and what you should be reviewing to help you identify potential risks and common pitfalls to avoid.
We'll dive into the often-overlooked privacy controls available in Windows, Microsoft 365, and other Azure-related services. You'll learn how to navigate these settings to protect and limit exposure to your information. We'll also discuss the implications of enabling connected experiences in Microsoft 365 and the privacy risks associated with features like Windows Recall and other recent additions.
This session is designed for researchers but will offer valuable information for anyone working with sensitive information who wants to ensure their data remains secure when using some of the most popular professional software available. By the end of this session, you will have a comprehensive understanding of the practical steps you can take to keep your research data private and protect yourself from accidental disclosure.

This presentation is offered by Taylor Bohn. Taylor is an Information Security Risk Advisor at UBC, supporting the university’s compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). Taylor conducts Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs) to help University initiatives of all sizes identify and mitigate privacy and information security risks. With a Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management from the University of Saskatchewan and a self-taught foundation in IT gathering various certifications along the way, Taylor brings a practical, adaptive approach to risk management. His experience in IT spans Vancouver-based startups in both the finance and healthcare industries, with strengths in systems administration, business process improvement and automation. Besides reading privacy policies in his spare time Taylor is passionate about doing work that drives meaningful change and makes a positive impact on others.

This event is organized by the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Click here to register.