October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! To celebrate ACC, 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 — from updating your software and using strong authenticators, to recognizing phishing and identifying key indicators. 

The biggest things to focus on are passwords and being alert.

Passwords

  • Always use multi-factor authentication where you can.
  • Change passwords regularly.
  • Make passwords unique and strong by using different symbols, numbers, and characters.
  • Use a password manager to store your passwords securely and to generate strong passwords.

Be Alert

  • Set your screen timeout to a short period of time to minimize unauthorized access.
  • Force a lock screen whenever you are not using your computer, laptop, phone, or tablet.
  • 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

  • Phishing Attacks: There’s an increase in phishing attacks.   Remember, be cautious of any communication requesting personal information or urging you to take immediate action. ACC nor the federal government will ask for personal information via email. If you feel an email is malicious in nature, report it to ACC Information Security – Phishing at [email protected]. Please forward the email (or attach a snapshot) along with the header information (i.e. TO, FROM, DATE, TIME, etc.)
  • 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 backup important files to a secure location, like a cloud service or external hard drive, to protect against data loss in case of a cyberattack.

For more information, visit austincc.edu/itsecurity. 

ACC provides training for students looking to get into 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.