| Dear UVM Community, As we noted last month, a significant expansion of Duo multifactor authentication will begin on March 13, and will continue over the next few months in multiple phases. We are making this change because the protection of intellectual property as well as personally identifiable information including student records, personnel information, and research data remains a top priority for the UVM information security program. In accordance with security best practices as well as common practices in peer higher education institutions, we continue to expand the use of Duo Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). MFA is a proven method for securing access. You are familiar with this method for accessing PeopleSoft and Banner; it is an added measure of security for access to sensitive systems and data. Consistent with practices in effect at large research universities, ETS plans to expand the use of Duo to include web access to UVM email and all services under the Microsoft 365 umbrella (Teams, OneDrive) effective March 13, 2023. We have engaged our various stakeholder groups, including the Information Security Council and the Educational & Research Technologies Committee to provide input and feedback on our approach. At their suggestion, the use of Duo was expanded at the beginning of the spring semester to include Brightspace, our new LMS, in its early implementation and pilot phases. This expansion of Duo will affect https://mail.uvm.edu and other Microsoft services like OneDrive and Teams. These changes will become effective for faculty and staff on March 13. These changes will become effective for students one week after commencement in May. Please ensure that you have your MFA device with you at all times including in the classroom, home and office. If you need assistance, please check our Knowledge Base article to ensure you are set up and working prior to the expansion date. We thank you for participating in these efforts as we continue to improve protections now and in the future for the data that our students and community have entrusted to us. Simeon Ananou, Chief Information Officer and the Enterprise Technology Services Team |
