As a university, our mission is built on trust. It’s the trust students place in us to safeguard their academic and personal information, the trust our faculty and researchers have in us to protect their intellectual property, and the trust the community has in us to be responsible stewards of our resources.
To honor that trust and meet the evolving digital threats facing higher education today, Illinois State University has taken a strategic step forward. The Information Security Office (ISO) has transitioned from a unit within the Office of Technology Solutions to become a standalone department, with the chief information security officer (CISO) reporting directly to the vice president of Finance and Planning.
This move is a direct and visible action aligned with the University’s strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2030. It empowers the ISO to lead a university-wide information security program with a clear, singular focus: applying a risk-informed strategy to protect the data that is central to our academic and research missions. This new structure enables greater agility and responsiveness, ensuring that our security posture is as dynamic as the challenges we face.
By elevating the ISO, we are making a bold commitment to a safe and resilient digital environment. This strategic investment will not only enhance our ability to defend against cyber threats but also foster a culture of security that supports innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence for every Redbird.
The ISO is eager to continue its collaboration with students, faculty, staff, and IT professionals to promote security awareness, improve decision-making, and build a shared culture of responsibility for information security.
This transition marks a significant milestone in the University’s ongoing efforts to create a safer and more secure digital environment for the entire campus community.
Contact: Information Security Office
