In response to growing cybersecurity threats targeting students, faculty, and staff, Information Technology Services (ITS) implemented several enhanced security measures throughout July to better protect university systems and personal financial information.
To counteract these increased phishing and account takeover attempts, some members of the WSU community will see changes to login procedures.
Higher Ed, a growing target
According to recent Educause data, financial aid fraud in higher education has seen a sharp rise, with losses to U.S. institutions exceeding $100 million annually as of 2023 — an alarming increase from the less than $10 million reported each year prior to 2020.
Notice something is off? Let us know
ITS urges users to stay vigilant:
- Do not share passwords or authentication codes
- Only approve multi-factor authentication (MFA) prompts you initiate
Report suspicious login behavior immediately to the Crimson Service Desk at 509-335-4357, crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu, or abuse@wsu.edu. Even a single compromised account can be exploited to redirect financial aid or payroll deposits.
Protecting the WSU community
Navigating the ever-changing landscape of cyber threats is a complex and often behind-the-scenes effort. Still, experts emphasize that every user plays a critical role in maintaining cybersecurity. Ongoing awareness and caution remain essential to protecting the entire community from emerging risks.
