Read time: 3–4 minutes Earlier this year, Smart Access shared that we would begin reviewing VPN device data to better understand the security posture of devices connecting to university resources. That work is now producing …
Smart Access Program
Smart Access January 2026 update
Smart Access work is active, focused on advancing Zero Trust with the tools we already have. Learn more about the current work and what’s next.
December 2025 progress update
Smart Access is focused on improving visibility and enabling data-informed decisions. In this article, the team shares the progress of their current work.
Device Data Analysis: Building the foundation for Smart Access decisions
The Smart Access program is focused on fortifying university cybersecurity. The foundation of this work is understanding the devices that are connecting to the university network. Learn more about the important work and what’s to come.
Conditional access: a smarter way to protect what matters most
Conditional access uses real-time signals, letting us apply the right protection, at the right time, for the right resource. Learn more about what this means for the Smart Access program.
Advancing Zero Trust: focus areas and next steps
Cyber threats continue to grow more sophisticated and persistent, and our current safeguards are no longer enough. Learn how we are sharpening the university’s Zero Trust capabilities.
Microsoft licensing: What we learned & what’s next
Smart Access update: We made the strategic decision to defer additional investment in Microsoft A5 licensing. However, Smart Access and our Zero Trust strategy remain priorities. Learn more about this decision and next steps.
Summary of Smart Access workshops & focus groups
The Smart Access project team will decide in July whether to adopt Microsoft as its primary Smart Access platform. The project team hosted several opportunities for IT staff from across campus to share valuable insights and feedback. What comes next?
UW–Madison’s cybersecurity future: Collaboration as our superpower
A message from Chief Information Officer Lois Brooks: In our continuing “Envision the Future” series, we explore how the evolving relationship between centralized and distributed IT can better serve UW–Madison’s mission.
What is a Protect Surface and Why Use it?
As organizations face growing security challenges with modern and complex networks, Zero Trust has become a key solution. The “protect surface” approach offers a focused and effective way to apply Zero Trust. This allows organizations to concentrate their security resources on what matters most.