Greetings everyone,
I hope you have had a productive and fulfilling September. This time of year is always invigorating as we welcome our students and faculty back to campus, bringing with them the energy of a fresh start. It is a great reminder of how fortunate we are to be part of the Michigan IT community.
As we approach National Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, I want to take a moment to highlight the crucial role that digital security plays in our work. Many of you may have seen the recent joint statement from the FBI and U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency regarding the rise in ransomware attacks. I encourage everyone to read the announcement and ensure that you are keeping security top of mind. If you come across any suspicious activity or have concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Information Assurance. Your ongoing commitment to protecting our university’s digital infrastructure is truly appreciated.
One of the ways we are enhancing security is through our recent introduction of Duo Verified Push across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses. Now, all users are required to enter a three-digit code when logging into U-M Weblogin, replacing the previous method of simply pressing a button. It is a small change, but one that will significantly strengthen our security efforts. For more information, check out the Safe Computing Duo Push page, which details what this change means for you.
In addition to our security initiatives, I am excited to share that the ITS Emerging Technology team has recently rolled out a new integration of our Maizey AI platform within Canvas. This enhancement will make it easier than ever for faculty to create AI tutors for their courses, with no need for a shortcode. This is a significant step toward making U-M a leader in the ethical and responsible use of AI in higher education. These upgrades not only support our educators but also enrich the learning experience for students. I invite you to watch this video, which features testimonials from U-M faculty members who have successfully integrated Maizey into their classrooms. It is a wonderful validation of our efforts. Their comments make me very proud of everyone in Michigan IT who supports the use of AI resources throughout our university.
Thank you for your continued dedication and the incredible work you do each day. It makes a lasting impact on our community, and I am deeply grateful to all of you. If you have any thoughts on ways we can continue to grow our Michigan IT organization or further protect our digital data, please reach out to me at rpendse@umich.edu. I would love to hear from you.
With gratitude,
Ravi
–
Ravi Pendse PhD
Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
University of Michigan
