The start of the new academic year at Texas A&M means new information technology security.
President Michael Young recently updated the board of regents on steps taken during the last year and a half as the result of a system “code four” audit.
That includes university-wide anti-virus programs, central visibility of all work systems to scan for inappropriate and confidential data, complying with HIPPA, and stronger passwords for faculty and staff in the college of liberal arts.
Young told the regents “I think one way to describe it is a year and a half ago I think we would have said we’re in the bottom of the SEC (Southeastern Conference) in terms of our attention to it. Now I think it is fair to say we are at the top.”
According to the A&M system, the definition of a code four audit is “Many significant observations. Controls were weak in multiple areas. Significant risk for noncompliance with laws, regulations and policies. Significant risk for loss of financial assets, legal consequences, or damage of the organization’s reputation. Opportunities for significant efficiencies were identified within processes that are organization-wide, such as central purchasing processes.”
