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Information Security
Article Archive #2
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Importance of Security
Information security is about addressing and reducing IT RISK. It’s easy to overlook risk as a topic when all you hear is talk about passwords, firewalls, encryption, policies, or two-factor authentication. In this section, you’ll read about how the university is at risk and what you can do to reduce the risk in your group, department, and college.
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What is a Purple Teamer?
A purple teamer is a cybersecurity professional who works to bridge the gap between red teams (offensive security) and blue teams (defensive security). Their role involves fostering collaboration and ensuring that both teams’ efforts align to enhance an organization’s security posture. Here are some key aspects of what a purple teamer does: By combining the…
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What is a Red Teamer?
A red teamer is a cybersecurity professional who simulates real-world attacks on an organization’s systems, networks, and applications to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. The primary goal of a red teamer is to think and act like a malicious hacker to test and improve an organization’s security posture. Key Aspects of What a Red Teamer Does …
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Why Reporting Phishing Emails Benefits UT
Reporting phishing emails seems like a small thing, but it can have a large impact on security and UT. Reporting phishing emails is crucial for UT to maintain a strong security posture. In our most recent phishing test, about thirty-five percent of the people in the test simply deleted the email. Around thirteen percent forwarded…
Scam Types
Scams used to be easier to detect without worry. A Nigerian prince asks for a few hundred dollars to give you access to his fortune. But those days are gone, and scammers are in a constant arms race with cybersecurity for your sensitive information. Learn about the different types of scams and how to deal with them.
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Strengthening Security: Lessons from Recent University Breaches
As part of our ongoing commitment to cybersecurity, we want to share insights from recent security incidents affecting universities. The following examples underscore the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to safeguard our work environments. Let’s delve into the breaches and explore steps we can take to protect our data: University of California, San Francisco…
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Important Reminder: Beware of SMS Scams
This week, we are writing to remind you of an ongoing issue that has been affecting some of our university community members. There have been reports of students receiving SMS messages from individuals pretending to be professors at our university. These messages typically offer paid positions and request personal information such as resumes, age, and…
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The Importance of Using Approved Anti-Malware Software on University Machines
In the digital age, universities heavily rely on various software for administrative tasks, research, teaching, and learning. This reliance also opens potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious entities. Therefore, it is crucial to use only approved anti-malware software. The Risks of Unapproved Anti-Malware Software Unapproved anti-malware software can pose several risks: The Benefits…
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Protecting and Securing Your Personal and University Data on Your Phone
Our smartphones have become a treasure trove of personal and professional data in the digital age. As members of a university community, we often access sensitive information through our personal devices. This action makes it crucial to understand how to protect and secure our data. Why is Mobile Security Important? Our phones are not just communication…
Benefits & Tips for You
In this section, you can learn about all the different tools available to you at UT, such as secure file sharing and monitoring your systems. We will also share best practices for staying secure at school and at home.
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The Need to Replace SMS-Based MFA
In December 2024, the FBI and CISA advised Americans against using SMS codes for multi-factor/two-factor (MFA/2FA) authentication. CISA’s Mobile Communications Best Practice Guidance bluntly recommended: “Do not use SMS as a second factor for authentication. SMS messages are not encrypted–a threat actor with access to a telecommunication provider’s network who intercepts these messages can read…
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Safeguarding Your Remote Work
Remote work in higher education is now the norm. To keep your online work safe using university-provided tools like OneDrive and Microsoft Teams, follow these straightforward steps: Working remotely in higher education is convenient and secure when you use the university-provided tools while taking these precautionary steps.
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Privacy Concerns with Onboard AI: Microsoft Copilot
Continuing with privacy concerns with onboard AI, Microsoft Copilot, which uses the hardware on any system with Windows 11 Copilot+ to run the native AI of Copilot, has been seen as a potential issue for user privacy. We’ve highlighted a few privacy concerns associated with Microsoft Copilot: You can opt out of data collection for…
Protecting University Data
Discover essential articles on cybersecurity practices specifically tailored for the University of Tennessee. Learn effective strategies to safeguard sensitive information, defend against threats, and maintain data integrity. Equip yourself with knowledge to protect your university’s digital ecosystem.
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MFA + Strong Passwords: Your Best Defense Against Account Attacks
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts by requiring more than just a password to sign in. Even if a password is stolen through phishing, malware, or a data breach, MFA can still prevent an attacker from accessing your account. This additional safeguard is especially important because passwords can be…
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Digital Privacy—What is a Data Broker?
In today’s digital age, personal information has become a valuable commodity. Data brokers have emerged as key players in this data-driven economy. Data brokers operate behind the scenes, gathering vast amounts of personal information from various sources. They compile detailed profiles on individuals and sell this data to businesses, marketers, and even government agencies. Understanding…
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Getting Into the Mindset of a Hacker
Have you ever wondered how a hacker looks at systems and finds unexpected ways around controls meant to keep them out? Is this a special mindset or a thought process that is learned? The mindset of a hacker can vary widely, but generally, it involves a few key traits and perspectives: While the term “hacker”…