UD Information Technologies will begin installing endpoint protection to all UD-owned systems

To better protect the University of Delaware against cybersecurity threats, UD Information Technologies (UDIT) will be spearheading an initiative to provide enhanced endpoint protection on all UD-owned systems — primarily laptops and desktops. This initiative is part of a multi-faceted approach to better protect the University from cybersecurity threats and to meet the requirements of our cybersecurity insurance provider.

Over the course of 2022, UDIT, with the support of departmental IT professionals, will be deploying enhanced endpoint protection across UD. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions allow for enhanced detection and response to security incidents occurring on endpoints (i.e. laptops and desktops) which can help better protect the University from ransomware and other cybersecurity attacks. In conjunction with cybersecurity training and awareness, these tools can keep UD’s data safe from advanced forms of malware, phishing and more. In 2021, the University conducted an evaluation of leading EDR solutions and selected CrowdStrike Falcon.

Cybersecurity insurance providers have begun to require Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions on University endpoints to be able to have policies renewed. To meet these requirements, having enhanced endpoint protection on all University-owned machines is required. Even if a desktop or laptop is not UD-managed, it is still required to have CrowdStrike installed if UD funds (including grant funds) were used to purchase the device.

During the remainder of 2022, UDIT and associated IT professionals will be identifying UD-owned endpoints and installing Crowdstrike Falcon to these devices. Beyond 2022, UDIT and IT professionals will continuously install CrowdStrike to all UD-owned laptops and desktops.

You can learn more about EDR and CrowdStrike, including what data is analyzed, who has access to the data, and how the data is used, by reading UD’s CrowdStrike Falcon Endpoint Protection service page. More information about the deployment of CrowdStrike will be forthcoming.

For further information about EDR, CrowdStrike and deployment plans please visit: https://services.udel.edu/TDClient/32/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=911