In response to increasing cyber threats across the global Higher Education sector, the University is deploying Tanium. This tool is a key part of the Universities strategy to protect your work, research data, and the University’s reputation from cybercrime.

 

What is Tanium?

Tanium is a system health and security tool. It is a small piece of software that runs in the background of University owned desktops, laptops, and servers. It allows IT staff to see if a computer is healthy, secure, and running the latest security updates.

 

Which devices should have Tanium installed?

Tanium should be installed on all University owned or managed devices. You do not need to install Tanium on personally owned devices.

If your device is on the Engineering domain, it may already have Tanium installed. Installation on divisional or research group devices will be managed by their respective computer officers. If you have any questions about whether your device needs Tanium installed, please contact the helpdesk at helpdesk@eng.cam.ac.uk.

 

Why is it on my computer?

Cyberattacks often succeed because a computer is missing a simple security update or patch. Tanium helps the University by:

• Identifying Vulnerabilities: It spots if your operating system or software (like Chrome or Office) is out of date.
• Rapid Response: If a new cyber threat is discovered, Tanium allows IT staff to confirm that all University machines are protected within minutes rather than days.
• Ensuring Compliance: It helps the University meet the legal and insurance requirements necessary to keep our services running and our research funding secure.

 

Your Privacy

We understand that privacy is a top priority. Tanium is a security tool, not a monitoring tool for personal activity.

What Tanium DOES Collect	What Tanium DOES NOT Collect
Operating system version (e.g., Windows 11)	Your browser history or search terms
Installed software and version numbers	Personal files, photos, or emails
Security patch status	Keyboard or mouse activity (keystrokes)
Hardware health (e.g., disk space, RAM)	Individual usage patterns

 

When does need to be installed by?

The deadline for installing Tanium (or obtaining an exemption) is 1 April 2026. This is also the same deadline for the Systems Management Policy. Tanium is an essential tool in identifying useful information to ensure compliance with the Systems Management Policy, so having Tanium installed and running before then is required.