University president addresses cyber security incident
The first topic tackled by University of Windsor President Dr. Robert Gordon was the cyber security incident that occurred last year.
“It’s just the new reality that all universities and colleges are dealing with,” said Gordon, who explained during his State of the University Address things could been worse had it not been for the help of the community.
“The day of the breach I had an opportunity to reach out to Dr. Patti France [president of St. Clair College], our Mayor Drew Dilkens, David Musyj [CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital] and others in our community and ask for support and we got it right away,” he said.
The outage took down the main website, Blackboard Learning Management System, UWinsite Student and the campus Wi-Fi affecting the university for two weeks. Students and staff were left frustrated wondering when they would regain access to their school's online tools.
The university on Thursday said it has learned lessons which have been shared with others.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure our systems are safe and robust enough to deal with the emerging challenges that many organizations are facing,” said Gordon.
The university is also ensuring it is ready to supply talent to meet the future growth of the region.
“I think there's a number of potential programs that we are in a position to support that will be able to I think build the economic prosperity of our region,” he said.
The university contributed to the region’s recognition this week by Business Facilities Magazine for landing the EV plant. Invest Windsor Essex President and CEO Stephen MacKenzie said he is in constant contact with the university.
“Incredibly important role. You noticed an increased co-op placements, increased grants. That's all meaning that it's working together,” he said.
MacKenzie added there is a contingent from the university and college visiting an existing battery plant in Poland to tighten the connection between the school and companies.
MacKenzie values the partnerships, which includes the university, because they were vital in landing the EV plant and will continue to be vital during the current recruitment of supply chain businesses.
“It's a living, breathing organism this amazing place we call Windsor-Essex and I think the growth of new companies and hopefully the growth in business for existing companies is [going to] be phenomenal over the next couple of years,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.