Hello, everyone.

Today I need to tell you about some critical security patches that Microsoft has released. I also want to inform you about an upcoming requirement that will be implemented next week.

Browser, OS, and Software Updates

• Microsoft Products
  • Microsoft has released critical security patches to address vulnerabilities in multiple products, including all Microsoft 365 products (Teams, Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and Remote Desktop,  among  many others.
  • These vulnerabilities could allow for remote execution in the context of the logged-on user.
  • Depending on the privileges associated with the user, an attacker could install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights.
  • Users with fewer user rights could be less impacted than those who operate with administrative user rights.
  • Since most all our computers are being managed by UTIA ITS, you should be getting the latest updates automatically.
  • However, if you have recently clicked to have your computer restart later to finish these updates, please make sure you reboot right away to ensure all available updates have been applied.
  • And please remember to reboot your computer regularly (weekly, at the very least) to help ensure you have the latest available updates.

Upcoming Change

• Annual Required Review of Acceptable Use Policy for IT (AUP)
  • As you know, every employee using any UTIA-owned IT assets has long been required to review the UTIA IT0110 – Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Security Standard on an annual basis.
  • Next week UTK’s OIT will be implementing a new process for how users access Microsoft resources across all UT campuses and institutes, to help maintain IT security systemwide.
  • Beginning July 15, all users will be required to annually read and accept the UTSA AUP for use of any Microsoft products and services.
  • On Tuesday, or the next time you use a Microsoft product after 07/15, when logging in to that product you will be prompted to re-authenticate.
  • You will be redirected to a Microsoft-hosted page displaying the AUP.
  • You must review the policy in its entirety and choose “Accept” at the bottom of the page.
  • Once you accept, you may need to relaunch and log in to access your Microsoft applications.
  • This process will recur annually.
  • If you have any question or issues, please contact UTK’s OIT HelpDesk at (865) 974-9900.

Thank you so much for everything you do to protect the Institute and its data, students, employees, clients, and yourself!

Sandy

Important Note: Thank you so much for sharing these e-newsletters with family, friends, clients, students, and anyone else who may benefit from the information. I would like to stress that you should keep your students in mind, as non-employee students will not get this information without someone sharing. If anyone has an email group for students who are not employees of your department, please let me know what that address is, and I can include it. I do this as a blind copy so student names and addresses will not show up!