Matt Martin, Information Assurance (IA)

Contact Matt at mattmart@umich.edu.

Two capabilities, one goal: Email security with Area 1 & Virtru

What’s one of the most important goals of IT security experts? It’s keeping your email secure. During this year’s SUMIT Reimagined online event series, Dennis Neil and brian cors presented on two tools that help protect our email: Area 1 and Virtru.  Dennis Neil, IT Security Design and Engineering Manager in ITS Information Assurance (IA), explained how Area… Read More »

New training course: Practical guidance on HIPAA and Protected Health Information

Do people in your unit need training on meeting HIPAA requirements for working with Protected Health Information (PHI)? A new eLearning course in My LINC covers how to appropriately handle PHI in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA provides privacy and security rules that govern how PHI is collected, disclosed, and secured. For… Read More »

Beware of tech support scams

Have you ever seen a pop-up on your computer or received an unsolicited call urging you to contact “tech support?” Scammers sometimes impersonate IT support staff and claim something is wrong with your computer. They offer to help fix the problem—for a fee—but instead may steal your personal information or infect your computer with malicious software. This can… Read More »

New Video: IT Security—Our Shared Responsibility

IT security is a shared responsibility and we all need to do our part. Check out this new video to learn about your shared responsibility to protect U-M computing resources and data: IT Security—Our Shared Responsibility (2:07) As part of the U-M community, you’re provided with access to a wide variety of computing resources—and sometimes to very sensitive… Read More »

Cybersecurity Challenge: Students pass pop quiz to win prizes

Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility at U-M—faculty, staff, and students. For more than 15 years, ITS Information Assurance (IA) has invited UM-Ann Arbor students, including medical students, to take an online quiz to raise awareness about IT security issues and promote best practices during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Over the last few years, this cybersecurity challenge has expanded to… Read More »

Cybersecurity Month wrap-up by the numbers

As shown above, highlights of Cybersecurity month include: 9 virtual training sessions covering topics like privacy and data use, using Duo two-factor authentication, data classification, and more 4 virtual drop-in Q&A sessions with security analysts 1000+ people sent and received email with Virtru enhanced email security                                                                            22K+ MiWorkspace and MiServer managed systems have CrowdStrike Falcon installed for enhanced… Read More »

Collaboration on new HIPAA course for the Shared Services Center

Staff in the Shared Services Center (SSC) play an important role in properly handling sensitive institutional data, including data regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This past summer, the SSC decided it was time to update their HIPAA training, which they require annually of their staff.  The SSC noticed that Information and Technology Services… Read More »

Do your part to deflect ransomware

Ransomware is on the rise and you have an important role to play in protecting U-M!!! Cybercriminals and other threat actors continue to ratchet up ransomware attacks on universities, healthcare providers, and other organizations. This summer Michigan State University and the University of California San Francisco, among others, have reported recent attacks.  Ransomware attempts often begin with a… Read More »

New video: Working securely from home

Check out this new IT Security Tips for When You Work from Home video from ITS Information Assurance. It covers securing your devices and connections, protecting your privacy, and watching out for phishing, scams, and fraud. Please share it with others who may find it helpful. For more details and links to resources for working securely from home,… Read More »

New video: Tips for safe videoconferencing

You have probably had a crash course on the basics of videoconferencing over the past few weeks. Follow the IT security and privacy best practices in this new Tips for Safe Videoconferencing video from ITS Information Assurance to make security and privacy part of your videoconferencing routine. And please share it with others who might find it helpful.… Read More »

Shop online safely with these tips

The holiday season is almost upon us, and you probably are already doing some online shopping. ITS Information Assurance offers the following tips to help you protect your personal information and devices when you shop online. Know who you are dealing with Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust. Beware rock-bottom prices. If a website… Read More »

Take a fresh look at your Duo options

If you’ve been logging in with Duo the same way for awhile, now is a good time to review your options and consider whether there are other methods that might work better for you.  Duo Mobile app Advantages: Offers multiple login-approval methods (passcode, push notification; phone call and text message when installed on a smartphone). Works with or… Read More »