Technology

Please be advised of the following upcoming change to the way your computer handles USB sticks (a.k.a. flash drives or memory sticks).

Change Description

In an effort to improve the security of your computer and the wider company network and data, the Technology department will be restricting the use of ‘mass storage devices’. This includes:

• Memory cards (SD cards & Micro-SD cards).
• USB external hard drives.
• USB connections to Digital cameras (not Webcams).
• USB connections to Mobile phones/tablets (does not prevent charging).
• USB sticks.

We will apply settings which will block the use of any USB stick except those supplied by Technology.

 Ahead of this change, Technology will:

• Supply new USB sticks to all Clinics.
• Supply new USB sticks to all Hospitals.
• Supply new USB sticks to any Support Office staff (upon request). 

In all cases we will only supply where there is sufficient business justification and no alternative solutions. 

We will provide self-addressed envelopes for any Clinic, Hospital or Support Office staff to return old and incompatible USB sticks to us for safe disposal.

This includes any USB sticks previously provided by the Technology department.

We will also contact each business area to confirm any other legitimate mass storage devices are excluded.

Potential Impact

Technology are aware of the wide-spread use of USB sticks by staff to carry out legitimate and safe transfer of images and data to/from corporate computers. We do not wish to stop this, only to ensure the computer (and data) is protected. As long as the Newly issued USB stick is used after the dates below, staff should not experience any issues.

Time of Change

We will be applying this change in phases:

After these times, only newly provided USB sticks will work in your corporate computer.

Should you experience any issue accessing a USB device after these dates, please contact the Service Desk.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.