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Officials say University is cybersecure

MINNEAPOLIS, Mar. 13, 2013 /MinnesotaDaily/ -- Dozens of hackers filled McNamara Alumni Center, programming past cyber defenses to capture vital information.

They weren’t real hackers and it was just a game, but the scenario is based on millions of real cyber threats that occur as spam, phishing and hacks every day. Cyber threats have become more commonplace and dangerous in the past decade, according to the FBI.

While cyber threats are growing rapidly, officials say the University of Minnesota’s networks and systems are safe.

The University has its own cybersecurity programs and systems, but also contracts out security protections for companies to manage, said Brian Dahlin, Office of Information Technology security and assurance director.

Symantec blocked 5.5 billion attacks in 2011, according to the company’s Internet Security Threat Report. The University offers Symantec Antivirus to each student, faculty and staff member for free.

President Barack Obama signed an executive order last month identifying cyber threats as “one of the most serious national security challenges we must confront.”

The order outlined how the government will work with businesses to improve cybersecurity for everyone, saying the only way to address these threats is to work together.