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.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's important to stay vigilant about cybersecurity, as cybercrime often spikes during the holiday season. Phishing and ransomware attacks increase as attackers exploit distractions, holiday shopping, and reduced IT staffing. To stay safe, be cautious with emails containing links or attachments, back up your data offline to protect against ransomware, update your devices with the latest security patches, and use strong passwords with two-factor authentication. Taking these precautions will help you enjoy a worry-free holiday while keeping your devices and data secure.

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.

At the University of Arizona, veterans are honored year-round for their service and the valuable skills they bring to the community. With a long military history, the university ranks as the top program for veterans. Veterans like Jeff Jones and Jeff Otteson use their military experiences in IT and security to strengthen UITS, applying skills in problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability to support the university’s mission and technological growth.

Dr. Elise Lauterbur’s work as an evolutionary ecologist highlights the impact of High Performance Computing (HPC) in advancing scientific research. Starting with behavioral ecology, she used HPC to study virus resilience in bats and viral adaptations in mammals, developing tools like Bayesian models and a convolutional neural network (CNN) for genomic analysis. Now a faculty member at the University of Vermont, Elise credits HPC for enabling her to explore complex biological questions in ways that were previously impossible, driving innovations in genomics and evolutionary biology.

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month (CAM) draws to a close, it’s crucial to transform the security practices we've learned into lasting habits. This month has highlighted essential strategies to protect against the ever-evolving threats from cybercriminals. From safeguarding your identity and securing your mobile devices to recognizing suspicious communications, adopting these practices can significantly enhance your online security. Stay informed and proactive—cybercrime is becoming more sophisticated, and our defenses must evolve accordingly.

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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.