March 2025

Essential network maintenance: 21-24 March

March 24, 2025 7:00AM GMT

Essential network maintenance: 21-24 MarchPlanned Maintenance

Description

On Friday 21 March from 5:00pm until Monday 24 March 7:00am, IT Services will be undertaking essential network maintenance. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the planned maintenance goes without incident, the change may cause brief interruptions to some services on the University Network. Services should be considered ‘at-risk’ during this period. Please contact the IT Service Desk if you have any questions or concerns regarding this work. C2502-019

Components

Administrative systems (Finance & HR), Authentication (Single Sign On), Blackboard, RePlay and Library systems, Departmental Filestore, High Performance Computing, Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive), myERP - Finance & HR system, Printing (staff and students), Pure (Research Information System), Remote desktop (staff, student, other), Research Data Storage Facility (RDSF), Student Information Systems (SITS), Telephony, University managed computers, Websites and Intranets, Wired network, Wireless network, Other services

Schedule

March 21, 2025 5:00PM - March 24, 2025 7:00AM GMT

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March 21, 2025 5:00PM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is starting.

March 24, 2025 7:00AM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is complete.

Essential network maintenance: Wednesday 19 March

March 19, 2025 7:00PM GMT

Essential network maintenance: Wednesday 19 MarchPlanned Maintenance

Description

On Wednesday 19 March from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, IT Services will be undertaking essential network maintenance. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the planned maintenance goes without incident, the change may cause brief interruptions to some services on the University Network. Services should be considered ‘at-risk’ during this period. Please contact the IT Service Desk if you have any questions or concerns regarding this work. C2502-019 / C2503-144

Components

Administrative systems (Finance & HR), Authentication (Single Sign On), Blackboard, RePlay and Library systems, Departmental Filestore, High Performance Computing, Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive), myERP - Finance & HR system, Printing (staff and students), Pure (Research Information System), Remote desktop (staff, student, other), Research Data Storage Facility (RDSF), Student Information Systems (SITS), Telephony, University managed computers, Websites and Intranets, Wired network, Wireless network, Other services

Schedule

March 19, 2025 5:00PM - March 19, 2025 7:00PM GMT

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March 19, 2025 5:00PM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is starting.

March 19, 2025 7:00PM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is complete.

April 2024

Essential maintenance on our Database Systems on 30th April (C2404-193)

April 30, 2024 8:30AM BST

Essential maintenance on our Database Systems on 30th April (C2404-193)Planned Maintenance

Description

There is essential maintenance scheduled on one of our Database Systems for Tuesday 30th April 07:30 to 08:30. The following applications / services will be unavailable at this time. Data Warehouse Business Objects Umbrella Service BO Reporting ~ Accommodation BO Reporting ~ Admissions BO Reporting ~ Alumni BO Reporting ~ Careers BO Reporting ~ Finance BO Reporting ~ HR BO Reporting ~ ITS BO Reporting ~ Planning BO Reporting ~ Students BO Reporting ~ Training IT Services apologises for any inconvenience this may cause. C2404-193

Components

Administrative systems (Finance & HR), Authentication (Single Sign On), Blackboard, RePlay and Library systems, Departmental Filestore, High Performance Computing, Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive), myERP - Finance & HR system, Printing (staff and students), Pure (Research Information System), Remote desktop (staff, student, other), Research Data Storage Facility (RDSF), Student Information Systems (SITS), Telephony, University managed computers, Websites and Intranets, Wired network, Wireless network, Other services

Schedule

April 30, 2024 7:30AM - April 30, 2024 8:30AM BST

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April 30, 2024 7:30AM BST

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is starting.

April 30, 2024 8:30AM BST

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is complete.

Emergency network maintenance

April 29, 2024 8:00PM BST

Emergency network maintenance Planned Maintenance

Description

Emergency network maintenance is scheduled between 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm today, Monday 29th April. We anticipate a brief interruption to a few services listed below starting from 5:30 pm. Please note that the network will be at risk until the maintenance is completed. Impacted Services: QTIC, Lorawan, Langford Vets, BCSG, TNP and BDFI (ref C2404-307)

Components

Administrative systems (Finance & HR), Authentication (Single Sign On), Blackboard, RePlay and Library systems, Departmental Filestore, High Performance Computing, Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive), myERP - Finance & HR system, Printing (staff and students), Pure (Research Information System), Remote desktop (staff, student, other), Research Data Storage Facility (RDSF), Student Information Systems (SITS), Telephony, University managed computers, Websites and Intranets, Wired network, Wireless network, Other services

Schedule

April 29, 2024 5:00PM - April 29, 2024 8:00PM BST

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April 29, 2024 5:00PM BST

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is starting.

April 29, 2024 8:00PM BST

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is complete.

May 2022

Phishing alert

May 9, 2022 8:06AM BST

Phishing alertSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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March 11, 2022 9:42AM GMT

[Monitoring] We continue to receive phishing emails – and expect to receive more – targeting students and staff to try to convince them to provide login information such as passwords or to click a link to a malicious site. We can all play a part in helping stop phishing attempts from succeeding by being familiar with how to spot suspicious emails. Please read our guidance around phishing and other online threats - bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou/phishing

May 9, 2022 8:06AM BST

[Resolved] Resolved

March 2022

Phising alert: Phishing emails purporting to be from the HR department

March 11, 2022 9:41AM GMT

Phising alert: Phishing emails purporting to be from the HR departmentSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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February 24, 2022 8:51AM GMT

[Investigating] Phishing emails purporting to be from the HR department have been sent to some University accounts. We are investigating this now, if you have received one of these emails please delete it. If you have clicked on the link in the email please contact the IT Service Desk bristol.ac.uk/it-services For more information on phishing emails please familiarise yourself with the guidance linked below. Learn how to spot phishing emails with our guide at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou/phishing Find general guidance on how to be cyber aware visit bristol.ac.uk/cyber-aware

March 11, 2022 9:41AM GMT

[Resolved] We continue to receive phishing emails – and expect to receive more – targeting students and staff to try to convince them to provide login information such as passwords or to click a link to a malicious site. We can all play a part in helping stop phishing attempts from succeeding by being familiar with how to spot suspicious emails. Please read our guidance around phishing and other online threats - bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou/phishing

January 2022

Cyber security vulnerability: Log4J 2 (also known as Log4Shell)

January 27, 2022 12:38PM GMT

Cyber security vulnerability: Log4J 2 (also known as Log4Shell)Security Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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December 16, 2021 12:27PM GMT

[Investigating] The University was made aware of the Log4J 2 (also known as Log4Shell) vulnerability Friday 10 December when the Apache Foundation released details globally. As with other cyber security related risks, the University has a well-rehearsed approach to identifying, containing and eradicating the problem which has been put into practice to ensure our critical systems are as safe and secure as they can be made. Please do continue to remain vigilant to the normal threats we face daily such as phishing emails, suspicious attachments or website links and report these to the IT Service Desk for investigation. For those more technically inclined, please don’t forget to maintain regular patching of your personal devices and any University systems you have responsibility for.

January 27, 2022 12:38PM GMT

[Resolved] Action has been taken to mitigate the vulnerability where necessary.

October 2021

Phishing incident: Education Maintenance Allowance

October 7, 2021 10:59AM BST

Phishing incident: Education Maintenance AllowanceSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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October 5, 2021 1:32PM BST

[Investigating] We are aware of a current phishing attack with email subject: Education Maintenance Allowance. If you see this email, please do not click on the link. Simply delete the email. You do not need to inform the IT Service Desk. IT Services are working to stop the messages and will remove them from inboxes. If you have clicked the link and provided your University username and password please contact the IT Service Desk bristol.ac.uk/it-services/contacts. For information on how to identify and deal with phishing emails please see our Information page on the subject: bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou/phishing If you have any questions regarding this, or any other Information Security matter please contact the Information Security team at cert@bristol.ac.uk.

October 5, 2021 1:54PM BST

[Monitoring] We are removing messages from inboxes and site linked in message blocked from on-campus access.

October 5, 2021 2:14PM BST

[Monitoring] Messages have now been removed from inboxes. If you have clicked the link and provided your University username and password please contact the IT Service Desk bristol.ac.uk/it-services/contacts.

October 5, 2021 4:03PM BST

[Resolved] The Incident has been completed.

October 5, 2021 4:12PM BST

[Monitoring] We are checking reports that all emails may not have been purged. If you have clicked the link and entered your username and password, please immediately change your password via the 'Change my password' link at bristol.ac.uk/it-services/password

October 7, 2021 10:59AM BST

[Resolved] This incident has been resolved.

March 2021

Cyber Security alert

March 22, 2021 9:49PM GMT

Cyber Security alertSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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September 17, 2020 10:31AM BST

[Identified] The National Cyber Security Centre has issued an alert after a recent spike in attacks on educational institutions. The University of Bristol takes such attacks very seriously, and we ensure that our technology and standards meet best practice. While we have not been a victim of the recent spate of attacks, our best prevention against a successful attack is making sure you are as informed and as vigilant as possible. We should by now all be aware of the need to pause before clicking that odd link in the unexpected email, even when it seems to be from your bank, colleague or government department. For more information and guidance see the Information Security site bristol.ac.uk/infosec. If in doubt on any matter please report it to the IT Service Desk, service-desk@bristol.ac.uk

March 22, 2021 9:49PM GMT

[Resolved] Stay vigilant.

February 2021

An important change to how staff will access University data on personal mobile devices from 4 February

February 4, 2021 10:00AM GMT

An important change to how staff will access University data on personal mobile devices from 4 FebruaryPlanned Maintenance

Description

From Thursday 4 February we will be extending our use of Microsoft Intune to all staff personally owned mobile devices. This tool will be used to manage access to Microsoft 365 mobile applications (Outlook, Teams, OneNote, SharePoint etc) on Android and Apple devices when using a University account. Microsoft Intune will only allow access to University data in those applications if the devices are running the latest version of the operating system. This is part of a programme of necessary steps the University is taking to protect its digital assets and is a requirement of both existing University policy and external security accreditations which we hold and underpin the business. For details see the IT news item: uob.sharepoint.com/sites/itservices/SitePages/change-to-staff-personal-mobile-access-to-data.aspx?promotedState=1 (Ref: C2101-279)

Components

Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive)

Schedule

February 4, 2021 9:00AM - February 4, 2021 10:00AM GMT

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February 4, 2021 9:00AM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is starting.

February 4, 2021 10:00AM GMT

[Update] Scheduled maintenance is complete.

WARNING - Phishing email from "Royal Mail"

February 2, 2021 4:48PM GMT

WARNING - Phishing email from "Royal Mail"Security Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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January 27, 2021 11:21AM GMT

[Identified] Phishing Alert: Emails with the subject line: (@royalmail.com) - Your Package is stopped at our post - University of Bristol We have identified and blocked the sender, but please be alert and familiarise yourself with the guidance linked to below. How to spot a suspicious communication • Learn how to spot such attempts with our guide at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/email-threat/identifying-threats • Find general guidance on how to protect your identity online at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou If you think you may have compromised your account or need further information, please report it to the IT Service Desk, service-desk@bristol.ac.uk.

February 2, 2021 4:48PM GMT

[Resolved] Emails removed from inboxes and links blocked shortly after attack identified.

Phishing Alert: Outlook is validating active and valid accounts

February 2, 2021 4:36PM GMT

Phishing Alert: Outlook is validating active and valid accountsSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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February 2, 2021 12:47PM GMT

[Investigating] A phishing email has been circulated to some staff and students. The text includes: This is to notify all account users; Outlook is validating active and valid accounts. Please do not click the link. We are working to remove messages form inboxes and block links.

February 2, 2021 4:36PM GMT

[Resolved] Emails removed from inboxes and links blocked shortly after attack identified.

Phishing alert – impersonating a senior member of staff to request the purchase of vouchers/gift cards

February 2, 2021 10:22AM GMT

Phishing alert – impersonating a senior member of staff to request the purchase of vouchers/gift cards Security Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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November 24, 2020 5:18PM GMT

[Identified] Phishing alert – impersonating a senior member of staff to request the purchase of vouchers/gift cards. The messages appear to come from senior colleagues with the text such as ‘Busy?’ or ‘Available?’. Subject lines for the messages have included ‘Important Task’ or ‘Urgent Request’. On inspection, you can see that the address used is not a University of Bristol account – today this was a Gmail account (@gmail.com), but other webmail providers have been used in the past, such as @hotmail.com, @outlook.com etc. For anyone responding to the emails a request is then made for the staff member to purchase vouchers or gift cards, typically for online retailers or services (Amazon, iTunes, Steam etc.), due to that senior member being unavailable or busy, along with a promise to refund the purchase. We have identified and removed these messages from our systems, but please be alert and familiarise yourself with the guidance linked to below. How to spot a suspicious communication • Learn how to spot such attempts with our guide at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/email-threat/identifying-threats • Find general guidance on how to protect your identity online at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/protectyou If in any doubt on this matter, please report it to the IT Service Desk, service-desk@bristol.ac.uk.

December 1, 2020 8:09PM GMT

[Resolved] Communications regarding these incidents sent to all staff.

January 7, 2021 10:57AM GMT

[Identified] We are seeing new incidents of phishing emails of this type.

February 2, 2021 10:22AM GMT

[Resolved] No recent reports of this type of incident.

December 2020

Phishing alert: Some staff and students have received a phishing email with the subject 'Royal Mail UK - Courier was unable to deliver the parcel to you.'

December 8, 2020 3:49PM GMT

Phishing alert: Some staff and students have received a phishing email with the subject 'Royal Mail UK - Courier was unable to deliver the parcel to you.'Security Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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December 8, 2020 8:00AM GMT

[Identified] Yesterday from around 5.20 pm on 7 December some staff and students received an email with the subject 'Royal Mail UK - Courier was unable to deliver the parcel to you.' This is a phishing email. Please do not click on any links in the message and delete the email. If you have provided information via the link please contact the IT Service Desk, service-desk@bristol.ac.uk, for advice. See the guidance on dealing with phishing emails at bristol.ac.uk/infosec/email-threat/identifying-threats We are working to block and remove the message from inboxes.

December 8, 2020 9:49AM GMT

[Monitoring] The email and link have been blocked and messages purged from inboxes.

December 8, 2020 3:49PM GMT

[Resolved] This incident is resolved.

July 2020

Phishing incident

July 22, 2020 7:54PM BST

Phishing incidentSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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July 20, 2020 2:44PM BST

[Identified] We are aware of a phishing email entitled *unemployment payment* please do not click on the link and delete the message.

July 22, 2020 7:54PM BST

[Resolved] This has now been resolved

June 2020

Phishing e-mails

June 29, 2020 3:29PM BST

Phishing e-mailsSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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June 22, 2020 10:44AM BST

[Identified] We are aware of various phishing emails pertaining to be from UOB staff that look similar to the message below, this is not genuine and please do not click the link or enter any details Take action before Tuesday bf7e36927947fc840890788f4ff26b14

June 29, 2020 3:29PM BST

[Resolved] Haven't seen any emails for over a week

HRMC Phishing email

June 8, 2020 11:00AM BST

HRMC Phishing emailSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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June 4, 2020 4:23PM BST

[Identified] We have received reports of phishing emails purporting to come from HMRC offering a tax rebate. The message contains a link to a fake website. This is a phishing attempt. If you have entered your login details please change your password, and contact the Service Desk for further advice. If you have entered bank details please contact your bank immediately.

June 8, 2020 11:00AM BST

[Resolved] This has now been resolved.

Voicemail Phishing message

June 8, 2020 10:59AM BST

Voicemail Phishing messageSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts, Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, OneDrive)

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May 15, 2020 9:39AM BST

[Identified] We have received reports that people are receiving voice message emails from a University email address. The message comes with a note asking that they download the message. This is a phishing attempt so please do not download the content. Anyone who has tried to download this should contact the Service Desk for further advice.

June 8, 2020 10:59AM BST

[Resolved] This as now been resolved.

April 2020

Phishing scam emails - GOV - Tax refund

April 8, 2020 10:40AM BST

Phishing scam emails - GOV - Tax refundOperational

Incident Status

Operational

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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March 28, 2020 11:26PM GMT

[Identified] Phishing scam being delivered to UOB email addresses. - this is a fraudulent email, please do not click the link and delete the mail. Subject: Annual tax refund - gov.uk - HMRC - University of Bristol - Tax Identification Numbers - GOV-99288, * You've just received an official notification from HM Revenue & Customs. * We have recalculate your last fiscal activity and we have determinate that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 550.11 GBP. *If you want to claim it online , please complete the required form with your personal information in order for HMRC to verify and process your request.

March 28, 2020 11:27PM GMT

[Identified] [Identified] Phishing scam being delivered to UOB email addresses. - this is a fraudulent email, please do not click the link and delete the mail. Subject: Annual tax refund - gov.uk - HMRC - University of Bristol - Tax Identification Numbers - GOV-99288, * You've just received an official notification from HM Revenue & Customs. * We have recalculate your last fiscal activity and we have determinate that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 550.11 GBP. *If you want to claim it online , please complete the required form with your personal information in order for HMRC to verify and process your request.

April 8, 2020 10:40AM BST

[Resolved] No further incidents have been seen. Staff and students should remain vigilant to such attacks.

March 2020

Phishing email attack

March 25, 2020 7:58PM GMT

Phishing email attackSecurity Issue

Incident Status

Security Issue

Components

Information Security - Alerts

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March 25, 2020 12:21PM GMT

[Identified] We have identified a phishing email going around to UOB email addresses, HMRC - Tax Refund - GOV-UK This is a phishing email, please do not click any link that it contains.

March 25, 2020 7:58PM GMT

[Resolved] Phishing emails deleted and link blocked