Nationwide Cybersecurity Incident; No ACC Systems Impacted at This Time

A Message From the ACC Information Security Team:

Austin Community College District (ACC) is aware of the ongoing nationwide cybersecurity incident involving the learning management system, Canvas. We understand that news of this breach—which has impacted several large institutions across the country—may cause concern for our students, faculty, and staff.

Rest assured that ACC systems have not been affected. Because the College utilizes Blackboard as our Learning Management System (LMS), our data and infrastructure remain entirely separate from the affected platform. There has been no compromise of ACC student records, faculty data, or classroom materials related to this event.

ACC takes all cybersecurity matters seriously. Our security teams are working closely with the State of Texas and national experts in cybersecurity to monitor the situation as it evolves. 

What You Should Know

While we are not directly involved in this breach, these types of high-profile incidents often lead to a secondary wave of “copycat” phishing attempts. We ask that you remain vigilant. Here are important things to remember and ensure you’re staying safe online:

• Verify the Source: ACC will never ask for your password, Social Security number, or financial information via email. Always check the “From” address to ensure it ends in @austincc.edu.
• Beware of “Breach” Scams: Be skeptical of emails claiming your data was leaked and asking you to “click here to check your status.” These are often traps designed to steal your credentials.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Ensure your ACC Okta/Multi-Factor Authentication settings are up to date. This is your strongest line of defense against unauthorized access.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Employees, if you receive an unusual email or notice strange activity on your Blackboard account, please report it immediately to the ACC IT Help Desk at 512-223-TECH (8324).
• Stick to Official Channels: For updates regarding this or any other security matter, rely solely on official College communications and the ACC website.

We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure digital learning environment for the entire Riverbat community and will keep you updated should the situation further evolve.

Tags: Cybersecurity, Information Security