Using Large Language Models (LLMs) Responsibly

🔐 Understanding Data Security Levels at Northwestern

Northwestern University classifies data into four levels based on sensitivity:

• Level 1: Public data (e.g., published works already available online)
• Level 2: Internal data (e.g., unpublished research, draft manuscripts)
• Level 3: Confidential data (e.g., Protected Health Information [PHI])
• Level 4: Highly restricted data (e.g., government-classified information)

Northwestern definitions:

• Protecting Sensitive Information
• Data Classification Policy

📦 Reminder of where you can store PHI here

⚠️ What Can Be Used with Public LLMs?

Only Level 1 (public) data should be entered into publicly available LLMs such as:

• ChatGPT
• Claude
• Gemini

These tools may retain input data, share it with third-party providers, or use it for model training—posing risks even if the data doesn’t appear sensitive.

🏥 Feinberg School of Medicine Policy

Feinberg medical students must follow specific guidelines for using generative AI tools:

• FSM Generative AI Policy
  

✅ Approved Tools for Higher-Sensitivity Data

Microsoft Copilot

• May be used for Level 2 data when signed in with your @northwestern.edu or @nm.org account
• Access via: https://m365.cloud.microsoft/chat or via your Outlook email (see screenshot) – you will know you are securely protected when you see the green shield in the upper righthand corner
• Northwestern University’s guidance on Generative AI tools

• The only approved tool for handling minimally necessary PHI (Level 3)
• Must be accessed via Citrix or VPN
• Access via: https://chat.nm.org
• Official Northwestern Medicine policy 
  
  

🧪 Research Use and IRB-Approved Projects

For IRB-approved research involving sensitive data:

• Special accounts can be provisioned to use LLMs via Microsoft Azure
• Requires Limited Access Review and additional permissions
• Azure Access for Research Projects
• Consider local models on your NU/NM-managed device
  
  

LLM Tool Comparison for Sensitive Data Use