October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! To participate, all ACC faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to follow simple steps to stay safe online.
The College offers support year-round to protect you when you’re online — from updating your software and using strong authenticators to recognizing phishing attempts and identifying key indicators.
The biggest things to focus on: Passwords and Being Alert.
Passwords
- Always use multi-factor authentication where you can, and change those passwords regularly.
- Make passwords unique and strong by using different symbols, numbers, and characters.
- Use a password manager to store your passwords securely and generate strong passwords.
- Force a lock screen whenever you are not using your computer, laptop, phone, or tablet.
Be Alert
- Set your screen timeout to a short period of time to minimize unauthorized access.
- Be cautious of emails or websites that claim to provide information, pictures, or videos. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Watch for malicious websites. They often imitate legitimate sites, but their URLs may have slight spelling differences or use unfamiliar domains.
- Don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
Additional Tips
- Software Updates: Keep your software and apps up to date. These updates often contain security patches that protect against vulnerabilities.
- Secure Networks: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for tasks that involve sensitive information, like banking or online shopping. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic.
- Backup Data: Regularly back up important files to a secure location, like a cloud service or external hard drive, to protect against data loss in case of a cyberattack.
- Phishing Attacks: There’s an increase in spear phishing (targeted phishing attacks) during financial aid disbursement seasons. Be cautious of any communication requesting personal information; neither ACC nor the federal government will ask for personal information via email. Always verify the sender’s email address and reach out to official sources directly if you’re unsure.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/itsecurity.
ACC provides training for students looking to get in the field of cybersecurity, from credentials through the Continuing Education Department, to an associate degree, all the way to a bachelor’s degree. ACC’s Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program is uniquely designed for professionals with a related associate degree, including those transitioning directly to a four-year degree or those in the workforce. The program offers flexible learning options with face-to-face, hybrid, and distance education classes across the district.
In April, ACC announced a new partnership with the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) for a first-of-its-kind technology and cybersecurity apprenticeship to reimagine apprenticeship programs for higher education and state agencies.
For more information, visit austincc.edu/cybersecurity.
Tags: Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Awareness Month, IT
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