U of Minnesota Planning Computer Network Upgrade

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The University of Minnesota is making plans to improve its aging computer network infrastructure to guard against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.

A report to the Board of Regents shows network usage at the university had more than doubled in the past five years and is expected to grow exponentially in upcoming years.

Reports say the university plans a $78 million upgrade of its main network system beginning next year. University officials are requesting $19 million from the state Legislature this year to help pay for firewalls, monitoring and other security operations.

The university reported 22 data breaches last year, which resulted in the loss of about 4,500 records. The majority of the breaches were related to health care and Social Security information.