Category Archives: Safe Computing

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Duo to be required for U-M VPN

Over the next few months, a more secure connection method for the U-M Virtual Private Network (VPN) will be introduced, and the current method will be retired. The new method will direct people to Weblogin, and two-factor authentication using Duo will be required. The addition of two-factor to the U-M VPN login will improve security for U-M networks.… 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 »

U-M and OSU find common ground…off the football field

While the famous football rivalry gets all the press, it’s easy to forget that U-M and Ohio State University are partners in a variety of ways off the field. The two schools are partnering in identity and access management (IAM) to identify short-term problems to solve together, and to develop shared future IAM approaches and solutions. “In today’s… Read More »

Update: Chegg password incident resolved

The public release of credentials (email addresses and associated passwords) related to the 2018 Chegg breach unfortunately affected the U-M community. Thank you to those of you who assisted students and others whose UMICH passwords were reset in late September as a result of reuse at U-M of passwords exposed in a data breach at Chegg, a commercial… 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 »

Register today to attend SUMIT October 29

Mark your calendars for SUMIT_2019, U-M’s 15th annual cyber security conference on Tuesday, October 29 at Rackham Auditorium. Learn more and register today! This free, one-day conference is an exciting opportunity to hear recognized experts discuss the latest issues, trends, and threats in cybersecurity and privacy. SUMIT_2019 focuses on explorations in privacy and security research. SUMIT_2019 speakers Denise… Read More »

Participate in National Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October!

Every October, ITS Information Assurance (IA) leads a U-M celebration of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) by hosting events, sharing tips, and reminding everyone of our shared responsibility to protect and secure university and personal systems and the sensitive information they contain. NCSAM is spearheaded by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.… Read More »

Tips for using Duo when traveling

Don’t let Duo two-factor become a distraction when you travel. Review your options before you leave to make sure you’re prepared. While your regular Duo option may work, you could choose to use an alternative method that better suits your travel plans. Duo offers multiple options that are suited for different circumstances. The recommended travel option is the… Read More »

Prepare to move away from Windows Server 2008, 2008 R2

Microsoft will end support for Windows Server 2008 and 2008 R2 on January 14, 2020 That means it will no longer provide security updates or support. Don’t let your infrastructure and applications go unprotected. Begin planning now to upgrade as needed. This applies to physical servers that you manage as well as virtual servers.  MiServer users are asked… Read More »

Reduce your Duo logins with “Remember me”

You can reduce the number of times you have to use Duo two-factor authentication when logging in at U-M Weblogin by checking the Remember me for 7 days box. With this feature, you will not be prompted for a two-factor authentication method at Weblogin over the next seven days, as long as you use the same computer and… Read More »

Fall campaign encourages students to turn on Duo by 2020

Beginning this fall, all students on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses are being encouraged to turn on Duo two-factor authentication by January 29.  Faculty, staff, student employees, and sponsored affiliates across U-M voluntarily turned on two-factor authentication by this past January with the support of ITS and the overall Michigan IT community. Over 50% of the… Read More »

U.S. universities confront a security storm in Congress

By | August 9, 2019

Sol Bermann, U-M’s chief information security officer, is quoted in a recent article in “Science” magazine about legislation moving through Congress that aims to prevent foreign entities from taking unfair advantage of the traditionally open U.S. research system. Both House and Senate bills focus heavily on enhancing cybersecurity, seen as an essential tool in protecting intellectual property and… Read More »

Video: Interview with Sol Bermann, U-M CISO

By | July 24, 2019

Sol Bermann, executive director of information assurance and chief information security officer (CISO) for U-M, was recently interviewed by “EDUCAUSE Review” about the growing need for privacy management, the policies and laws in place to protect our privacy, and how big data has changed the game. In a wide-ranging interview, Bermann discusses: The difference between a chief privacy… Read More »

Better protection for U-M networks

ITS began implementing components of a greatly enhanced network security threat detection and mitigation system in late June. This approach combines cutting edge technologies, open source tools, and U-M’s MITN threat intelligence framework to provide a security solution that scales across U-M networks. It will allow ITS to:  Detect and mitigate network threats across more U-M networks.  Extend… Read More »