July 2026 

With Summer coming in hot, I’m happy to announce the Summer 2026 Newsletter. With that being said, that shouldn't mean that we forget about cybersecurity practices. In this edition, we look at cyber-smart travel and protecting yourself overseas.

We look into using AI safely. With AI becoming more mainstream in the work field and personal life, it's important to remember that AI does pose serious cybersecurity risks. We take a look at how to use AI safely and how AI works.

We also wanted to highlight Ben Price in our Unit Information Security team Spotlight. Ben has made amazing contributions to information security and app management across UCSB. Ben serves as our Associate Chief Information Officer for administrative business systems and service management. Ben is responsible for the management of apps and databases, the customer-service ticketing workflow, and teaching 25 directors new cybersecurity practices and tools.

As we kick our feet up to relax and feel the sand between our toes, it’s important to remember our digital safety. Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged.

Have a great summer!

Sincerely,
Jackson
Chief Information Security Officer
UC Santa Barbara

In the last 6 months, we have seen an uptick in smishing attacks (SMS /text based phishing attacks) leading to account compromise, financial losses, and identity theft. Scams aren't just about hearing or reading about extraneous claims over the phone or via email; they can come through impersonation. In this article, a pilot tells a story about his experience being scammed by scammers pretending to be Apple workers. In this article, he watches as his SSN, credit cards, and money all disappear while he is in Hawaii. They discuss his takeaways and how to protect yourself from this scam.

June is Cyber-Smart Travel Month. During this month, we focus on how to stay safe while travelling. Travelling overseas can make you vulnerable to theft, data breaches, and cyber risk. In this article, we look at ways to protect yourself, such as securing devices in luggage and using a VPN.

Ben Price, the Associate Chief Information Officer at UISL, is the latest feature in our Unit Information Security Lead employee spotlight. Ben has been with UCSB for 20 years, ensuring that applications stay up to date for UCSB's community and that directors stay informed on cybersecurity practices. In this interview, we take a deeper look at Ben's responsibilities and how he stays informed on cybersecurity practices.

Secure UCSB technical session is approaching very soon! In this session, information will be shared on the implementation of the Secure UCSB project. Learn about the implementation of Zero Trust at UCSB on August 11, 2026, at 11 am via Zoom!

Though AI has made amazing strides in multiple industries, it's important to review how to use AI responsibly. It's important to remember that AI can make mistakes and not trust it blindly. 

With many industries adapting to AI, it's essential to understand how AI works. Stepping into the workforce without any knowledge of how AI can breach privacy is dangerous.