Update on phishing scams and cybersecurity

To: UE Staff and Faculty

From: Richard Hughey, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education

August 27, 2024

Dear UE staff and faculty,

We were recently reminded of the importance of staying educated on cybersecurity and vigilant against increasingly sophisticated phishing scams. Last week, UCSC’s Information Security team conducted a phishing simulation based on a real incident. While the intent was educational, the chosen topic caused unnecessary concern. As a result, the ITS team is reviewing their processes to prevent similar issues in the future and I would like to commend Tchad Sanger who has been actively involved in an Information Security workgroup focused on finding effective ways to educate our community.

Additionally, UC President Drake has outlined six cybersecurity requirements that all UC locations must meet by the end of May 2025. UCSC’s Information Security Investment Plan (ISIP), launched in May 2024, is designed to achieve these goals by integrating cybersecurity into our daily practices.

One goal of the plan is having 100% of UCSC staff, faculty and student employees complete cybersecurity awareness training, available at the UC Learning Center. With your help, we hope to get all of our Undergraduate Education employees 100% complaint soon. This training is an important way you can help our campus strengthen cybersecurity. 

Thank you for all you do to keep our community cyber safe! 

Sincerely,

Richard Hughey
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education