ITS Enhances Cybersecurity by Implementing 2nd Phase of Automatic Account Deprovisioning
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 22, 2021) — University of Kentucky Information Technology Services (ITS) would like to inform all students, faculty and staff about the next phase in the Identity Management (IdM) Account Deprovisioning process. Starting April 14, ITS will turn on automatic account deprovisioning for students who are no longer enrolled at the University of Kentucky (e.g., graduated, transferred).
This phase follows automatic deprovisioning of separated employees which began in October 2020, in accordance with University Administrative Regulation 10:1. Account deprovisioning is essential to keeping systems and data at UK safe from cybersecurity attacks, as well as remaining compliant with vendor software license contracts.
After April 14, students who are no longer enrolled at UK will have their accounts turned off after nine months from the date of their separation (e.g., graduation date, last date of course registration). These students will receive multiple notifications via email before their accounts are turned off and any student who chooses to stay with the university for employment or further coursework will not be affected.
With the implementation of account deprovisioning, ITS would like to remind the university community about best practices with your UK account:
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Never use your UK email address as the main address for personal accounts. It is important to keep a personal email address for services that are not associated with UK (e.g., bank accounts, music/streaming services, utilities). This ensures that you do not lose access to any important accounts, should you leave the university.
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Do not store personal files in your UK storage accounts (e.g., OneDrive, Google Drive). By keeping personal files in a personal email, you know you will always have access to them.
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Add a personal email to Account Manager (ukam.uky.edu). Making sure that UK has a personal or alternate email address for you not only gives another method of account password recovery, but also gives UK a way to confirm your identity if ever you need to get documentation from the university in the future. See How to Set Up an External Email Address for instructions on how to add your personal email.
ITS appreciates the support of students, faculty and staff in cybersecurity efforts and following account best practices. More details on student account deprovisioning can be found at What happens to my UK account when I graduate?
For questions about the account deprovisioning process, email ITSaboutYou@uky.edu. For 24/7 immediate technical assistance, please contact ITS Customer Services at 859-218-HELP (4357) or visit the Technology Help Center at http://techhelpcenter.uky.edu. For assistance with non-urgent matters, email 218help@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.