The UBC community is invited to comment on the proposed amendments to the Information Systems Policy (SC14), which governs the use, management, and security of UBC electronic information and systems, and repeal of the Wireless Network Policy (SC11) (the “Policies”), with the intention that the substance of the Wireless Network Policy will be incorporated into rules established under the Information Systems Policy.
The Wireless Network Policy was first approved by the Board of Governors (the “Board”) on January 26, 2006. The Information Systems Policy was first approved by the Board on June 4, 2013 through the combination of Board Policy #104 (Responsible Use of Information Technology Facilities and Services) and Board Policy #106 (Access to and Security of Administrative Information), which were repealed and replaced by the current policy. Neither the Information Systems Policy nor the Wireless Network Policy have been substantially updated since they were approved.
A Policy Development Committee (the “Committee”) has been convened to develop proposed amendments and has prepared a draft proposal. The primary objectives of the proposed amendments are to align the Policies with best practices and ensure consistency with other Board policies.
Key elements of the Committee’s recommendations and proposed amendments are as follows:
- provide obligations for reporting cybersecurity incidents and allow the Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) and Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) to take immediate action in response to a cybersecurity incident;
- require the CIO to report cybersecurity incidents that have significant reputational, operational, or financial impacts or are otherwise material, to the Responsible Executives;
- provide for reporting and investigation of Policy breaches;
- provide clarity on roles of the Office of the CIO, CIO, and CISO in the administration of the Policy;
- allow the Responsible Executives to establish and maintain Rules related to the subject matter of the Policy and Procedures;
- addition of a Procedures section to provide direction regarding the operational application of the Policy; and
- repeal of the Wireless Network Policy, with the expectation that it will be replaced by Rules under the amended Information Systems Policy.
For further information about the proposed amendments, please see the information package that was provided to the Board at: https://bog3.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2025/11/3_2025_11_Proposed-Amendments-to-the-Information-Systems-Policy-SC14-and-Proposed-Repeal-of-the-Wireless-Network-Policy-SC11.pdf.
The proposed amendments are now being published and all members of UBC’s community are encouraged to provide their comments. Please submit feedback to the Office of the University Counsel at university.counsel@ubc.ca by January 9, 2026.
Feedback received by the Office of the University Counsel from the UBC community will be provided to the members of the Committee for review and consideration. The Committee does not provide individual responses to persons submitting feedback. However, the feedback received will be summarized, along with the Committee’s response, in a Community Consultation Summary that will be included in the submission materials that are generally shared in open sessions of meetings of the responsible Board committee and the Board.