Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are becoming increasingly integral to cybersecurity efforts at institutions like the University of Iowa. IT support and administrative staff play essential roles in helping these technologies succeed. While central IT leads the implementation of AI-powered tools, frontline staff bridge the gap between users and technology.
What you should know
AI is enhancing cybersecurity and technology. AI helps identify threats faster and more accurately through behavioral analysis, adaptive defense, and automated threat detection. This is especially useful in higher education environments where systems are open and complex.
Human support still matters. AI can misidentify harmless activity as a threat (a false positive), making your understanding of normal user behavior and context more important than ever. Your feedback to central IT helps refine and improve these systems.
How you can improve quality and efficiency
Watch for and report suspicious behavior: Stay alert to new phishing tactics, especially those that might look more realistic due to AI (e.g., deepfakes or highly tailored emails). If something seems off, report it to central IT or the Help Desks, even if you’re unsure.
Provide context to alerts: When users report account lockouts or access denials, take the time to understand what they were doing. Sharing this context with security teams can help them distinguish false positives from real threats.
Help set expectations with end users: Let users know that enhanced security tools may trigger alerts more often, but they’re part of a smarter, evolving defense system. Reinforce the importance of reporting rather than ignoring suspicious messages.
Promote security awareness: Encourage colleagues and users to stay informed about new AI-based threats, like AI-generated phishing and social engineering. Point them to university-provided training when appropriate.
Foster collaboration: Support efforts to build a culture of information sharing between departments and central IT. Your frontline insights are valuable in detecting emerging trends and potential vulnerabilities.
Stay informed and engaged, to help and enhance the university’s ability to adopt AI-driven cybersecurity tools effectively creating a safer, more responsive digital environment for everyone. Visit https://its.uiowa.edu/ai for current information.