May 31: Update: on-campus email service breach

To: Graduate students at the University of Waterloo

From: Jacinda Reitsma, Vice-President, Administration and Finance

Date: Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Subject: Update: on-campus email service breach

Update: on-campus email service breach

May 31, 2023

This is an update to yesterday's communication regarding a breach to our on-campus Microsoft Exchange email services. This email platform does not impact the vast majority of our users who have migrated to Microsoft 365 and have not seen a disruption to their email service.
 
Our IST team is continuing to work on a plan and a timeline to address the situation in conjunction with a third-party cybersecurity specialist firm.  
 
As a result of this situation, Waterloo’s WatIAM system has been temporarily disabled. This means that new user accounts cannot be set up at this time. We are working with affected academic support units to keep them informed of our progress. This change will not affect those using their current WatIAM credentials to log into the various campus systems which require it.
 
The current service outage is unrelated and due to a redundant fibre that was cut. The wired and wireless connection outage is impacting East Campus and we are currently working to restore services.
 
If you have questions about access to systems today, please email helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca.