General Guidelines

Cloud Storage Options

Use a Cornell-approved, cloud-based file service to securely store and collaborate on low and moderate-risk data types. These include:

• Box
• Microsoft 365 (OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams)
• Google Shared Drive (Note: Do not share from Google My Drive because of significant ownership issues).

Use Your Cornell Login Credentials

Sign in using your Cornell NetID (NetID@cornell.edu) for the Cornell-contracted service; do not use a personally purchased account. Cornell vendor contract language that legally covers Cornell’s services does not apply to personal accounts.

Cornell services are configured to be as secure as possible and provide a complete directory of Cornell employees for applying permissions and sending notifications.

Microsoft 365 on the Web

To check your Microsoft 365 account, look for the personal logo at the top right of the browser window. It may display a personal icon (if you set that up) or your initials. Click on that icon:

Review the information on the box that appears. Look for Cornell University as well as your NetID@cornell.edu.

Box and Google

The Cornell Logo will be displayed in the banner at the top of the page.

A Cornell Box Account

A Cornell Google Account

Create Shared Folders

When collaborating on files, it is good practice to create a shared, well-structured group file space that is separate from your personal file space. This ensures that more than one person knows where essential files are after you move on from your position, and that the shared files do not use your personal drive storage quotas.

Recommendations for Shared Folders 

Set Permissions Carefully

When you share a resource (file or folder) use explicit permissions. This means give specific people access at a specific level, such as edit or view only. All the file services are set up with restricted sharing by default. 

In addition:

• Provide access to sensitive data only if needed to fulfill professional responsibilities. 
• Give at least one other person administrative-level access so they can manage permissions if you are unavailable or leave your position.
• Ensure your unit or organization has a process to review and remove access to sensitive data when people leave, and for those who no longer need access (such as a role change.) 

Check Permissions When You Reorganize Folders

If you move or copy a folder into an existing shared folder (the parent), it will inherit the parent folder’s permissions. This means its contents will be available to everyone who can access the parent folder.

Restrict Sharing

You can restrict collaborators’ ability to further share folders or files to prevent inappropriate distribution. These capabilities vary by service.

Label Sensitive Content

Apply labels to remind collaborators that they should be careful about sharing access to a specific file.

Using Links to Share Information

The cloud services offered at Cornell make it easy to share a resource using a URL or hyperlink. Keep in mind the following:

• When sharing a link, do not use “All of Cornell” or “Anyone with a Link” (available in Google Drive and Box). Even if you send that link to a specific email address or group, there is nothing to prevent it from being shared beyond what is intended.
• The best practice is to apply specific permissions for the individuals involved to the folder, files, or other resources and then send the link to those with access.

Synchronizing for Offline Work

All the file services allow files, folders, or entire file libraries to be synchronized (mirrored) between the cloud file service and a personal device. This allows you, and other collaborators, to work on files locally, then merge changes with the online file. This is particularly helpful if you expect to have no, or poor, internet access, or are working with a large file, especially with many images.

Minimum Device Security

If you synchronize files containing sensitive data, it must be stored on:

• A Cornell Certified Desktop Device
  • Certified Desktop provides cybersecurity software and configuration to secure your device.
  • Check your Certified Desktop security status using the Cornell Certified Desktop Self-Check App.
• Encrypted Tablet or Smartphone
  • A fully encrypted smartphone used only by you that is never shared (say, with a family member).
  • If your smartphone is protected by any authentication method (PIN, Password, Fingerprint, or Face) for any device running IOS 7 (2014) or Android 6 Marshmallow (2015) or later, then it is automatically encrypted.
  • For more information, refer to Mobile Devices in Policy 5.10, Information Security.

Limit Synchronized Files

The fewer places sensitive data is kept, the less likely it is to result in unauthorized disclosure. Details for configuring synchronization is available for Box,  Microsoft OneDrive, and Google Drive.

• Select Specific Folders
  • You can mark the specific folders you need to access from your device. The contents of these folders will then be displayed in the file manager features of your device.
  • One way to simplify the secure management of your work is to create a single folder for synchronizing sensitive data (name it something obvious like “Sensitive Data on My Device”).
  • Use the online web file management interface to move folders or files you need on your device into and out of this folder as needed; this makes it easier to see and manage the sensitive data on your device.
• On-Demand or Offline Synchronization
  • You can specify whether folders should synchronize to your device immediately or if they should download to your device when you first open them.
  • If you expect no or poor internet access, configure your synchronization service to make files available offline.

Data Retention

Data must not be retained beyond the retention period defined in Data Retention Policy 4.7. 

Cornell Secure File Transfer

Although Cornell Secure File Transfer is not suitable for active collaboration, it is good for occasional transfers.