Cyber incident – Daily round up
22 Jun 2023
Today’s key information – 22 June 2023
Guidance for colleagues and managers during Virtual Private Network downtime
From now until August, which is when we anticipate this VPN downtime will be concluded, some of our colleagues may no longer be able to undertake all or part of their roles remotely and may be required to spend additional days working on campus if needed to carry out some or all of their duties.
This is a temporary measure and does not mark a permanent change to the University’s Hybrid Working Framework (https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=62416).
Teams are advised to work together during this period of disruption to navigate this temporary change and encouraged to exercise flexibility to ensure we can continue to operate to the best of our abilities.
More information to support colleagues and managers will be shared over the next few days.
New software and software updates on University managed computers
IT Services may push new software installations or software updates to your University computer without prior communication. While the VPN is unavailable remotely, this will happen when you are on campus and connected to the University network either via a wired connection or via eduroam Wi-Fi. After software updates are applied you may be required to restart your computer. If you have any concerns about your computer please contact the IT Support Centre.
Password reset
As part of our response to the cyber incident, you will be required to reset your password. You will receive a prompt to change your password, which will come as a direct email from PJ Hemmaway, Director of IT Services, with instructions on how to do this. You can expect to receive this w/c 26 June.
Reminders
Experian Identity Plus
Yesterday, colleagues will have received an email from Adèle Mackinlay, Director of People and Organisational Development, about a free, 12-month subscription to the leading identity protection service, Experian Identity Plus. This is being offered to both colleagues and postgraduate research students as a precautionary measure and the service will remain available for the full 12 months, regardless of whether you leave the University.
All colleagues who have access to the Experian Identity Plus offer currently as part of the USS data breach, will be able to gain an additional year of cover. Where this applies, we ask colleagues to email wellbeing@manchester.ac.uk to let us know. In 12 months, we will make additional codes available to these staff members.
For more information about what the service provides, how to access it, and what offer is available to our students, please read our latest Experian article (https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/news/display/?id=29956).
Cyber incident guidance and support
All our latest information and guidance, including wellbeing support and FAQs, can be found at: