Security Initiative for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
IT Security's Role in Momentum 2015
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is entering into a very exciting and challenging phase of its evolution.
As a part of the university’s Momentum 2015 initiative, one of the Institutional Principles states that we will all
assist in “promoting efficient and effective use of time, resources and technology.” This principle provides us
the guidance and challenges us, individually and as a university, to ensure that we are striving to utilize
technology to increase the level of service we provide to our student body while maintaining a high level of
responsibility. Pursuant to these ends, and to ensure that TAMUCC is adhering to Federal and State laws and
regulations, a collection of university faculty and staff with the guidance of the Assistant Vice President for
Technology and the Information Technology Security Manager, have drafted a set of University Procedures to augment
the University Rule governing the Security of Electronic Information Resources. On June 11, 2007 the President’s
Cabinet reviewed and approved the use of these University Procedures to help guide the university towards “efficient
and effective use” of its information resources.
Security Through Teamwork
TAMUCC, as a team, can create a university that conducts all of its business in a safe and secure manner. Employees
can expect to see and participate with new training, new guideline documentation, forums to ask questions and receive
answers, teams for directing change, and a number of other initiatives designed to assist with the Momentum 2015
initiative. To start, I would like to ask everybody to take a look at how you conduct business within your area of
responsibility. Consider how you collect and receive information through electronic and paper forms and determine if
any of it is sensitive. Examine how you store, permit access to, and distribute this information. Think about where
your backups and hard copies are maintained. If you need assistance or find areas of concern bring them up with your
IT staff or managers. If you prefer, you may contact me directly and I will help with considerations and solutions.
Understanding Our Roles
The recent incident involving the loss of a flash drive containing sensitive student information was an unfortunate
occurrence. However, it drives home the necessity for each and every employee to understand the role they play in the
use of our technology resources and the sensitive information they often contain. Ultimately it is up to each of us,
as individuals, to familiarize ourselves with the concerns associated with protecting our precious resources such as
student and university information. Because of these responsibilities each individual should read each of the new
University Procedures. As department managers and information technology personnel begin to take these procedures into
consideration within their environments they will be able to provide additional guidance as to how these new University
Procedures will affect everyday business activities. Until that time, the Media and Computer Services Faculty/Staff
Computer Help Desk (825-2692) and the IT Security Manager (825-2124) are good points of contact to begin obtaining
answers to any questions.