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Identity Management
and Social Security Number Privacy

Brochure: Removing Social Security Numbers

Over the years, institutions, businesses, organizations, and government agencies have developed electronic digital identity management systems, and many of them rely on the Social Security Number as a unique identifier.

At Ohio State, this is also the case, but the university acknowledges the need to move to a new system that better protects the identities of students, faculty, and staff and unifies its various administrative systems.

To this end, Ohio State has launched an initiative called BuckeyeSecure that will create a SSN privacy and safeguarding policy, define a method to consolidate and secure information about users, and develop standards and policies for identity management.

A single identity management system can alleviate such problems as  inconsistent practices, difficulties in matching identities, duplicate accounts, high maintenance costs, and high security risks. Removing the use of the SSN wherever possible in university transactions will ensure its greater protection and reduce the risk of identity theft for members of the campus community.

Colleges and units, as well as individuals members of the campus community, can begin now to safeguard SSNs and minimize their use through a combination of short- and long-term actions, including remediation strategies, best practices, and heightened awareness.

To get more information on these linked initiatives and to follow their progress, check the BuckeyeSecure web site. BuckeyeSecure, from which this information on this page was taken, is an initiative of the Office of the Chief Information Officer.
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Quick Tips

Start now to safeguard SSNs and minimize their use by adopting these remediation strategies and best practices.

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