URGENT: Microsoft Windows Patch Required
CUIT recently sent out notifications informing all staff of a severe cyber-security threat currently affecting most Windows-based computers. CUIMC IT considers this security risk to be significant; the potential for significant impact to members of the community warrants that we raise awareness of it.
The vulnerability dubbed ‘PrintNightmare’ is highly exploitable and could enable hackers to gain full access to individual work computers as well as personal devices.
To address risks to our institutional assets, Windows-based computers owned by CUIMC will be remediated (patched) remotely by medical center IT staff. No action is required on the part of our users to update these devices, although you may need to restart your computer for updates to take effect (you may be prompted with a ‘restart required’ notification on your computer screen). Please ensure all open documents and other files are saved before restarting.
For your protection on personal devices, CUIMC IT urges you to keep your workstations equipped with the latest available Windows updates. On most versions of Windows you can do this by:
- Selecting the Start button in the lower left
- Select Settings - Update & Security - Windows Update
- Follow prompts to download and install any Windows Updates
For additional help see Microsoft's Windows Update: FAQ.
Please do not hesitate to contact your departmental IT group with any questions, or if you need help with updating any personally owned Windows devices used to access university resources.
If your department does not have a dedicated IT group, please contact the CUIMC IT Service Desk via 5help@cumc.columbia.edu or extension 5-HELP (212-305-4357), option 5 for assistance.
Thank you,
Chad Neal
Chief Information Officer
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Eme C. Ejike
Chief Information Security Officer
Columbia University Irving Medical Center