UC San Diego Campus Notice
OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR RESEARCH  

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, UC SAN DIEGO  

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH
September 28, 2021
Geisel library at sunset
ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (Including UC San Diego Health)

Improving Research Security 
In June we announced UC San Diego’s formal Cybersecurity Certification for Research (CCR) program, a key part of our approach to reduce research risk against modern cyber threats and attacks. These attacks are increasing and are a serious threat to all research efforts.  

To reduce the likelihood of ransomware and other potentially devastating research interruptions, UC San Diego will require CCR completion by 2022.  

All faculty members and researchers must complete the following:
  • Take the “first five steps” to immediately improve the security of your lab’s and/or work environment’s practices and computer equipment:
         
  • Back up your data and store a read-only copy offline
  • Use the campus anti-malware tool
  • Use only approved campus email services
  • Set your computers to automatically apply security updates
  • Use two-step logins and put your servers behind firewalls
  • Keep your lab, equipment and workflow secure by implementing these additional practices.
  • Document your data backup plan and submit your certification request form.
High-Risk Labs  

Some 300 research programs have work identified as “high risk” on the basis of Department of Defense (DOD) funding, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) data, or COVID-19 research. Your department chair or dean has been notified if your research is considered high risk. Individual notices are in process. High-risk research will receive a review of its CCR submission and will be provided with additional guidance and recommendations.  

October 20: Cybersecurity Certification for Research Workshop  

Please join UC San Diego Chief Information Security Officer Michael Corn and his team for “Cybersecurity Certification for Research: Achieving Cyber-Resilience in Your Research Program” on Wednesday, October 20 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will walk PIs and research staff through the certification process and attendees will be prepared to quickly and easily improve their overall cyber-resilience.  

Register via UC Learning Center. Send any workshop questions to rci@ucsd.edu.  

Resources and Help  

Visit assure.ucsd.edu for information about the program and how to implement cybersecurity practices, gain access to the software packages, and complete the certification. For assistance email ccr-support@ucsd.edu.   

Securing our systems and data is critical to our first-in-class research enterprise and is a shared responsibility.  We appreciate your cooperation and commitment to this important matter.

Sandra A. Brown 
Vice Chancellor for Research 
UC San Diego   

Vince Kellen
Chief Information Officer 
UC San Diego  

Christopher Longhurst
Chief Information Officer and Associate Chief Medical Officer
UC San Diego Health
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093