Every day, thousands of students, faculty, and staff rely on digital systems to teach, learn, research, collaborate, and connect at UMass Amherst. As technology becomes more embedded in every aspect of university life, institutions are working to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated online threats. Recent incidents affecting institutions nationwide, including the widely used Canvas learning management system, have reinforced the importance of cybersecurity not only as a technical priority, but as a shared community responsibility. For Jeremy Pelegrin, Chief Information Security Officer at UMass Amherst, the conversation around cybersecurity today extends far beyond firewalls and software updates. It’s about protecting teaching and research, strengthening digital trust, and helping the university community develop habits that support a safer digital environment for everyone. “We have reached a point as a society where cybersecurity must be a responsibility for every person on the UMass campus,” Pelegrin said. “As we navigate through a changing landscape of threats and compliance requirements, it’s really about developing good cyber habits that can be applicable regardless of where the world is going to lead us.” As technology, artificial intelligence, and online threats continue to evolve, UMass Amherst is approaching digital safety as an ongoing partnership across campus. Here are five things the community should know about how the landscape is changing and how the university is adapting alongside it. 1. Higher education presents a uniquely complex environment. Universities support large, decentralized communities while also encouraging openness, collaboration, and academic exploration. That balance creates both opportunities and challenges. Higher education institutions manage research environments, teaching tools, administrative systems, financial data, and personal information across an enormous range of platforms and services. At the same time, universities are designed to foster openness and exploration in ways that differ significantly from many corporate environments. “Higher ed has so many areas with