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Data Privacy Policy

Overview

Isabela State University (ISU) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of personal information processed within the ISU Records Management System. This policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal data in compliance with the Republic Act No. 10173, also known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Effective Date: This policy is effective as of May 17, 2025, and supersedes all previous versions.

As a higher education institution, ISU collects and processes personal information for legitimate educational, administrative, research, and historical purposes. We are committed to ensuring that all personal data is:

  • Processed lawfully, fairly, and transparently
  • Collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes
  • Adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary
  • Accurate and kept up to date
  • Stored for no longer than is necessary
  • Processed securely and protected against unauthorized access

Information Collection and Processing

Types of Personal Data Collected

The ISU Records Management System may collect and process the following types of personal information:

Category Types of Information Purpose Retention Period
User Account Information Name, employee ID, email address, department, role System access, authentication, authorization Duration of employment + 1 year
Academic Records Student names, ID numbers, grades, academic history Academic administration, verification Permanent
Personnel Records Employee information, contracts, evaluations HR management, payroll, benefits Employment duration + 15 years
Financial Records Payment records, financial transactions Financial management, audit compliance 10 years
System Usage Data Login timestamps, access logs, IP addresses Security monitoring, audit trailing 3 years
Lawful Basis for Processing

We process personal data based on one or more of the following lawful bases:

  • Contractual Necessity: Processing necessary for the performance of a contract (e.g., employment contracts)
  • Legal Obligation: Processing necessary for compliance with legal obligations
  • Legitimate Interests: Processing necessary for the legitimate interests of the University
  • Consent: Processing based on specific, informed, and unambiguous consent
  • Public Interest: Processing necessary for tasks carried out in the public interest

Data Security Measures

ISU implements appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data against unauthorized or unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction, or damage. These measures include:

Technical Safeguards
  • Encryption: All sensitive data is encrypted both in transit and at rest
  • Access Controls: Role-based access controls limit data access to authorized personnel
  • Authentication: Multi-factor authentication for system access
  • Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of system activities and security events
  • Backup: Regular data backups with secure offsite storage
  • Firewalls: Network security controls to prevent unauthorized access
  • Patch Management: Regular security updates and vulnerability management
Organizational Measures
  • Training: Regular data privacy and security training for all staff
  • Policies: Documented information security and data handling policies
  • Access Management: Strict procedures for granting and revoking access
  • Risk Assessments: Regular privacy impact assessments
  • Incident Response: Documented breach notification and response procedures
  • Third-Party Management: Due diligence and contractual safeguards for vendors
  • Audit: Regular compliance audits and security assessments
Security Note: While we implement strong security measures, no electronic system can guarantee absolute security. Users must also take responsibility for safeguarding their credentials and reporting any suspected security incidents.

Data Sharing and Disclosure

ISU respects the confidentiality of personal information and limits disclosure to specific circumstances. We may share personal data with the following categories of recipients:

Recipient Category Example Purpose of Sharing Safeguards
Internal Recipients Academic departments, administrative offices Administration of university functions Role-based access, need-to-know basis
Government Agencies CHED, BIR, SSS, GSIS Regulatory compliance, reporting Secure transmission methods, minimal data
Service Providers IT vendors, cloud storage providers System maintenance, hosting Data processing agreements, security assessments
Academic Partners Research collaborators, exchange programs Academic collaboration, student exchange Anonymization where possible, consent
Conditions for Data Sharing

Personal data will only be shared when at least one of the following conditions is met:

  • The data subject has given explicit consent for the specific purpose
  • Sharing is necessary to fulfill a contractual obligation
  • Sharing is required by law or regulation
  • Sharing is necessary to protect vital interests of the data subject or others
  • Sharing serves a legitimate interest that does not override data privacy rights
International Transfers: ISU generally does not transfer personal data outside the Philippines. If such transfers become necessary, we will implement appropriate safeguards to ensure data protection in accordance with the Data Privacy Act and other applicable laws.

Data Subject Rights

Under the Data Privacy Act of 2012, individuals have certain rights regarding their personal information. ISU respects and upholds these rights, which include:

Rights to Information and Access
  • Right to be informed: Know how your data is being processed
  • Right to access: Request copies of your personal data
  • Right to know: Be informed of the recipients of your data
  • Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured format
Control and Correction Rights
  • Right to rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Right to object: Object to the processing of your personal data
  • Right to erasure: Request removal of your data under certain conditions
  • Right to damages: Claim compensation for damages due to violations
How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please follow these steps:

  1. Submit a written request to the University Data Protection Office
  2. Include your name, contact information, and specific right(s) you wish to exercise
  3. Provide sufficient information to verify your identity
  4. Specify the personal information involved and the action requested

Contact Data Protection Officer:

Email: dpo@isu.edu.ph
Address: Data Protection Office, Administration Building, Isabela State University
Phone: (123) 456-7890

ISU will respond to your request within 15 business days of receipt. This period may be extended by an additional 15 business days when necessary, taking into account the complexity and number of requests.

Children's Privacy

The ISU Records Management System primarily processes information of adults (18 years and older). However, we recognize that some records may contain information about minors, particularly in academic contexts.

When processing personal information of individuals under 18 years of age:

  • We obtain appropriate consent from parents or legal guardians
  • We implement additional safeguards to protect children's data
  • We limit access to such information on a strict need-to-know basis
  • We do not use children's data for marketing or promotional purposes
Important: Staff members must exercise additional care when handling records containing information about minors and must consult with the Data Protection Officer when in doubt.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The ISU Records Management System uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance user experience, secure the system, and collect usage information for system improvement.

Types of Cookies Used
Type Purpose Duration Data Collected
Essential Cookies System functionality, security, authentication Session / Persistent Session ID, security tokens
Functional Cookies Remember user preferences and settings Up to 1 year Language, display preferences
Analytics Cookies Measure system usage and performance Up to 2 years Page views, navigation patterns
Managing Cookies

Users can control cookies through their browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

  • Delete all cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Allow only essential cookies
  • Manage cookie preferences by site
Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect system functionality and security. We recommend keeping essential cookies enabled for proper system operation.

Policy Updates

ISU reserves the right to modify this policy to reflect changes in legal requirements, technological advancements, or system enhancements. We will notify users of significant changes through:

  • System notifications upon login
  • Email communications to registered users
  • Announcements on the university website

The most current version of this policy will always be available within the Records Management System and on the university website. Users are encouraged to review this policy periodically.

Policy Version History:
  • Version 2.1 - May 17, 2025 (Current)
  • Version 2.0 - January 10, 2024
  • Version 1.5 - March 22, 2023
  • Version 1.0 - September 15, 2022

Compliance and Legal Framework

The ISU Records Management System's privacy practices comply with the following legal frameworks:

  • Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations
  • Republic Act No. 9470 (National Archives of the Philippines Act of 2007)
  • Republic Act No. 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act)
  • CHED Memorandum Orders related to records management in higher education institutions
  • ISU Records Management Manual and related institutional policies
Data Protection Authorities

For concerns regarding data privacy that cannot be resolved directly with ISU, you may contact:

National Privacy Commission
5th Floor, Delegation Building, PICC Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Email: info@privacy.gov.ph
Website: https://www.privacy.gov.ph

By using the ISU Records Management System, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

Last Updated: May 17, 2025