Keeping Confidential Information

No doubt most of the employees of the Maricopa County Community College District come to possess, at one time or another, personally identifiable information about employees and students. Many laws require that this information be kept strictly confidential. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), for example, District and college officials must protect personally identifiable information in student records from unauthorized disclosure to third parties. Moreover, much of the information maintained about Maricopa employees (such as Social Security numbers and other data) may not be disclosed without the employee's express permission.

The growing concern about identity theft makes it all the more important that employees realize the importance of protecting sensitive information about their Maricopa colleagues, as well as data regarding students. The law may hold a community college district liable for even the unintentional disclosure of this confidential information, especially if that disclosure leads to identity theft.

Finally, all Maricopa employees are well familiar with their role as public stewards. This stewardship responsibility extends beyond caring for public funds, or assets that have been funded by those funds. Confidential information about out employees and students are also a resource worthy of careful protection.