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Delivery of emails to list.arizona.edu will be paused for 24 hours

This story continues that journey, which was first published in Part 1: Reflections on University Email Security on Nov. 20.

After much reflection, I have decided to retire from my position as chief information officer of the University of Arizona effective, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.

The University of Arizona's email system has evolved from a simple messaging tool to a key platform for collaboration, driven by the need for greater security and integration. Initially used by researchers and government agencies, email became essential for university staff, with major upgrades including the switch to Microsoft Exchange in 2010 and later to Office 365 to address security concerns. These changes introduced advanced threat protection and better integration, ensuring a safer and more efficient system. The university’s ongoing efforts to modernize its email technology continue to focus on balancing functionality with cybersecurity.

In the coming months, the University of Arizona will begin consolidating its Trellis Marketing Cloud business unit (BU) licenses from 40 separate accounts to 10 by July 1, 2025. This strategic decision will significantly reduce institutional software costs, simplify the user experience, and enhance coordination and collaboration among users across the university.

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AI has made phishing scams more sophisticated, with 60% of people falling for AI-generated emails that are convincing and polished. To protect yourself, be wary of unexpected communications, unusual requests, and urgent demands for sensitive information. Always verify the legitimacy of suspicious emails, and use the resources from the Information Security Office (ISO) to stay ahead of these evolving threats.

Every day, we interact with personal technology in various forms. The functionality and precision these devices offer enable us to perform our jobs efficiently, connect with others, conduct research, store data, and much more. Despite all that technology provides, we seldom stop to consider how it works.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) and poses the perfect opportunity to educate the university community about cyber threats, the ways AI is making phishing more believable, and tips on how to protect your data. This month, the Information Security Office (ISO) is rolling out a series of tips and resources with weekly themes covering critical aspects of cybersecurity.