Statement on emergency alert system message sent in error

MSU community,

Earlier today, an emergency alert system message was inadvertently sent during a routine system test conducted by our Security Operations Center (SOC), which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We understand how emotionally activating this incident might have been for members of our university community, and we sincerely apologize for the error.

As part of standard protocol, the SOC performs a required monthly test to evaluate the university’s emergency notification tools in a designated test environment. During one of these routine checks, a message was accidentally sent through the live alerting system. This was human error. We are confident that our alert system is in no way compromised.

Our community depends on us to provide accurate, timely information in moments of urgency, and we did not meet that standard today. Although this message was sent in error during a routine system test, the significant impact it had is very real.

The MSU Department of Public Safety is taking the following steps:

• Strengthening test environment safeguards to ensure test messages are not sent through live channels.
• Implementing additional authentication and confirmation steps before any campus-wide alert can be issued.
• Conducting a full review of alert system permissions and workflows to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Engaging system vendors to review logging, interface design and potential software-level enhancements.

Our community’s safety and trust are of the utmost importance, and we understand this error may have caused stress and valid emotional responses. We encourage anyone experiencing distress to seek supportive campus resources:

MSU Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS):
https://uhw.msu.edu/health-and-wellbeing-services/mental-health-and-trauma-support/caps

CAPS requests that those seeking immediate support utilize the crisis line by calling 517-355-8270 and pressing 1.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
https://uhw.msu.edu/health-and-wellbeing-services/mental-health-and-trauma-support/eap

EAP recommends contacting them via email for immediate assistance. EAP can be reached at eap@msu.edu.

A reliable, accurate and effective emergency notification system is essential to campus safety. We take this incident extremely seriously, and immediate actions are being implemented to ensure it does not occur again. We are fully committed to maintaining the trust and safety of everyone on our campus.

Please take care,

Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
President, Michigan State University

Mike Yankowski
Chief of Police, MSU Department of Police & Public Safety