The Office of Information Security is monitoring a recent event involving an update distributed by the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which has caused Microsoft Windows devices to crash. While we do not use CrowdStrike in our infrastructure and our systems remain generally unaffected, some of our vendors have experienced disruptions.
Unfortunately, cybercriminals on the dark web are attempting to exploit this situation. There have been reports of phishing attempts where individuals claim to be from CrowdStrike and ask for personal credentials or sensitive information. Some of these threat actors may attempt to contact you impersonating support from CrowdStrike, Microsoft, or the UTMB Service Desk.
If you receive a call regarding the CrowdStrike/Microsoft issue, please hang up immediately and dial (409) 772-5200 to reach the UTMB Service Desk and report the call to CIRT at cirt@utmb.edu. The UTMB Service Desk will not contact you directly regarding this incident.
Please be vigilant and follow these guidelines:
- Verify the Source: If you receive any communication (phone calls, emails, or texts) claiming to be from CrowdStrike or related to the update issue, do not provide any personal or sensitive information. Always verify the authenticity of the sender.
- Do Not Share Credentials: Never share your personal credentials or any other sensitive information over the phone, via email, or through text messages.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter any suspicious communications or if you are unsure about the legitimacy of a message, report it immediately to the Office of Information Security at cirt@utmb.edu.
- Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the latest cybersecurity news and threats. Knowledge is a powerful tool in protecting yourself and our organization from potential cyber threats.
Your vigilance is crucial in maintaining the security of our systems.
Updates will be provided as needed on the UTMB Alerts page.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and your patience and understanding as we navigate through this issue. Should you have any questions or require general IT assistance, please contact the UTMB Service Desk at ishelp@utmb.edu or by phone at (409) 772-5200.
John A. Flores, CISM, CISSP, CRISC
Associate Vice President, Information Security and Chief Information Security Officer
Office of Information Security