As the U-M community settles into study, work and life during the fall semester, news of breaches, scams, and disinformation abound.
Check Point Research found that the “Education sector has been the most targeted industry this year,” showing a 37% increase in attacks compared to 2023. Students, faculty, and staff must work together to protect U-M’s digital assets. It’s never been more important for the U-M community to remember that protecting the university’s digital assets is a shared responsibility.
The following are key ways each of us can step up IT security and privacy:
- Secure devices and strong passwords are the best defense against unauthorized access to data and resources. Visit Protect Your Passwords & Identity and Secure Your Devices to refresh your knowledge and help others stay safe.
- Protecting sensitive data is the responsibility of every member of the U-M community. Ensure you and your colleagues understand the guidelines for authorized access, responsible use and management of information, and appropriate services for storing different types of U-M data.
- Staying up-to-date on security and privacy best practices is important as cybersecurity threats become more ubiquitous. The U-M Safe Computing website has a wealth of resources to help you:
- Practice Online Hygiene
- Protect Yourself from Scams
- Take security and privacy measures for Remote Work & Study
- and much more
Remember, each of us has a role to play in keeping you and the U secure this fall. Please share this information with faculty, staff and students.
