OIT Quarterly Security Update: August 2026 Edition

Securing the Herd: SMU Quarterly Security Update

Hello Mustangs,

Welcome back! As we begin a new academic year, there’s a lot happening across campus—and plenty to look forward to this fall when it comes to cybersecurity and technology at SMU.

In this issue, we’re giving you an early look at some of what’s ahead. Cybersecurity Awareness Month returns this October with a brand-new theme, Win Big with Cybersecurity, including the return of our Security Awareness Fair. We’re also previewing upcoming changes to password management and password requirements designed to make signing in more secure and easier to manage.

You’ll also find important updates to SMU’s Acceptable Use and Information Security policies, which help define how we all use University technology and protect University information, as well as information about a new approach to managed updates for SMU Macs arriving in October.

And this is just the beginning. We have more security improvements, resources, and events planned throughout the fall, and we’ll continue to keep you informed as they roll out.

Here’s to a great—and secure—start to the semester. Thank you for continuing to do your part to protect your work, your information, and the SMU community.

Staying secure, one Mustang at a time.

Corrina Taylor
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)



OIT Security is getting ready to raise the stakes this October for Cybersecurity Awareness Month with a brand-new theme: Win Big with Cybersecurity! This year, we’re building on that success by bringing even more opportunities to play, learn, and win with a month-long cybersecurity game show theme.


Changes are coming to passwords at SMU. This fall, OIT will begin updating SMU’s password requirements to make passwords stronger while reducing how often you need to change them. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s ahead.


SMU recently updated the Acceptable Use and Information Security Policies. Here is what changed and why.


Beginning Friday, October 2, 2026, OIT will enable managed updates for minor macOS versions on devices that have been updated to the minimum required major macOS version. Managed Updates use the native macOS update mechanism to keep devices current with the latest security patches.

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