IT Security

The Office of Technology Services at San Antonio College is dedicated to protecting the college’s digital assets, ensuring data integrity, and safeguarding the privacy of students, faculty, and staff. Through proactive threat detection, continuous education, and strong security policies, we strive to create a safe and resilient technology environment. Our mission is to foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness, mitigate risks, and defend against evolving cyber threats while supporting academic and operational excellence.

Common Security Threats

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, making it crucial to stay informed and vigilant. This section highlights some of the most common security risks, including phishing scams, malware attacks, weak passwords, and social engineering tactics. By understanding these threats and following best practices, you can better protect your personal and institutional data from cybercriminals.

Phishing & Email Scams
Malware & Ransomware
Password Security
Social Engineering

Cybercriminals use phishing emails to trick people into revealing sensitive information like passwords or financial details. These emails often appear to come from trusted sources and may contain urgent requests or malicious links. Always verify the sender, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and report any suspicious emails to IT security.
Malware and ransomware can infect your device through malicious downloads, email attachments, or compromised websites. These threats can steal data, lock files, or disrupt operations. Keep your software updated, use reliable antivirus protection, and avoid downloading files from unknown sources to minimize the risk.
Weak passwords are an easy target for hackers. Always use complex, unique passwords for different accounts and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security. Consider using a password manager to safely store and manage your credentials.
Attackers use social engineering to manipulate people into providing sensitive information, often by posing as trusted individuals or organizations. Be cautious of unexpected requests for passwords, financial details, or access permissions. If in doubt, verify the request through official channels before responding.

Security Best Practices

Protecting your personal and institutional data requires proactive security measures. This section covers essential best practices, including strong password management, device security, safe browsing habits, and proper data protection. By following these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of cyber threats and help maintain a secure digital environment.

Data Backup Strategy

OTS recommends that all computer users regularly back up their data in order to prevent information loss in the case of a disk failure or a natural disaster. We recommend at the very least backing up files that are frequently charged. Select link to view some strategies that can help you avoid losing any of the data stored on your personal computer.

Tips to Improve Security of your Computer and Data

Never share your user password with others.
Our College or other entitites will never request your username, password or other personal information by email. Please do not respond to emails requesting personal information.
Secure your computer equipment including laptops, media tablets, smart phones in a safe environment.
Use secure network connection wherever possible when accessing data. Secure connection prevents unwanted viewing of your electronic communication.

Report an Incident

Please complete the IT Security Form to describe the security incident. Important: If the incident poses any immediate danger, please call 911 to contact law enforcement authorities immediately. The types of incidents you report include:

Unauthorized exposure of private personal information (which may lead to identity theft or misrepresentation)
Computer break-ins and other unauthorized use of San Antonio College systems or data
Unauthorized changes to computer or software
Equipment theft or loss
Interference with the intended use of information technology resources