Dear members of the Yale community,
As we begin the new year, I want to take a moment to emphasize the important role that each of you plays in keeping Yale secure. The daily choices you make help protect your data, your colleagues, and the university’s mission.
Cyber attacks across higher education are becoming more targeted and convincing. Today, AI often generates messages that appear to come from trusted colleagues or familiar Yale systems. Emails, texts, and even phone calls use realistic language, tone, and formatting that make it hard to tell what’s genuine.
While the explosion of AI in our lives can make us more productive, it also means we must be more vigilant.
The good news is that strong security does not have to be complicated. It starts with the basics. Take a moment before clicking links or entering your credentials. Understand the risk when sharing personal or Yale information. Use strong, unique passwords. Keep your devices up to date. Report suspicious activity when something feels off. These simple actions remain some of our most effective defenses, both at Yale and at home.
To help you start 2026 with strong habits, we invite you to take part in the New Year, New You: Back to Basics challenge in February. Sign up for alerts to stay informed about campaign events, learning opportunities, and weekly activities.
Here are three ways to get involved:
- Join upcoming cybersecurity webinars.
- Weaponizing Academic Trust (January 29): A joint Yale–Harvard webinar on how attackers use AI in attacks against universities and what to watch for.
- From Password Fatigue to Password Peace of Mind (February 25): Learn practical strategies for managing passwords and improving security on your personal devices.
- Build your cyber skills. Complete the Bee Cyber Fit training program to strengthen core cybersecurity habits that help protect Yale systems and your personal information.
- Bookmark Yale’s AI Tools and Resources website to ensure you’re using AI responsibly and securely in your work.
Cybersecurity begins with everyday choices. Thank you for doing your part to help keep Yale secure.
Regards,
Jeremy Rosenberg
Chief Information Security Officer, Assistant Vice President for IT
Yale University