Notices
In an effort to better communicate with the Hamilton College community of ongoing information security notices and alerts this Notices and Alerts page seeks provide information on cybersecurity activity targeted at the Hamilton Community and the broader higher education community. Awareness and education are the strongest defense to stop malicious activity and protect Hamilton's systems, data, and people. For any information security concerns contact infosec@hamilton.edu.
Cisco Umbrella
By Jerry Tylutki
May 5, 2021
Tags Information Security
Cisco Umbrella security service
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud security platform that provides an additional line of defense against malicious software and threats on the internet by using threat intelligence. That intelligence helps prevent adware, malware, botnets, phishing attacks, and other known bad Websites from being accessed.
What is domain name service (DNS)?
The job of a DNS server is to translate a human-readable web address (like www.google.com) into a computer-readable number also known as an IP address (172.217.12.132). Once your computer knows the IP location of a web domain name, it opens the website in your browser. DNS is working behind the scenes every time we use a web browser, email program, or cloud-based service.
What is DNS security?
DNS Security helps prevent information security incidents by adding threat intelligence into the DNS translation process. That intelligence prevents adware, malware, botnets, phishing attacks, and other known bad websites from being accessed.
What is Cisco Umbrella DNS?
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-hosted solution that protects users by blocking connections to sites that have been reported as malicious.
How does Cisco Umbrella work?
Hamilton College's DNS servers forward all external website requests to the Cisco Umbrella cloud for resolution and a determination on whether a website is safe. End-users who reach out to malicious websites will be blocked and will receive a security notification in their browser.
Blocked sites will display a screen similar to this:
How do I get a site unblocked?
If you are attempting to access a legitimate website that you believe poses no threat to your system or data, you may request the site be unblocked by clicking on the Report an incorrect block link from the block page. LITS will send this information to Cisco to have them review the website to confirm that there is no threat or vulnerability.
Will this impact access to Hamilton College internal sites?
No, Cisco Umbrella only resolves external websites and works in conjunction with Hamilton's internal DNS systems.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Any additional questions regarding the Cisco Umbrella service should be referred to the Hamilton College Information Security Officer at infosec@hamilton.edu.
Contact
Jerry Tylutki
Information Security Officer
