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We are four months into the IT Strategic Alignment and already prepping for the holiday break. Before I provide the alignment updates, I want to share a resource to ensure you have the information you need to protect yourself against phishing during the break.

Over the Thanksgiving break hundreds of SHSU accounts were disabled due to phishing emails. When this holiday break begins, it is imperative that you are vigilant when it comes to your emails. We want you to enjoy your holiday, not spend it resolving the complications that come with falling victim to a phishing scam. To learn how you can protect yourself against phishing emails, take some time now to view our brief “Dive into Phishing” video.

Additionally, look for information via email addressing how IT is changing the process for you to gain access to your SHSU account after clicking a phishing link. You will be happy to hear that we are moving away from disabling accounts and toward a user-friendly experience while still being just as secure.

Remember, if you receive a suspicious email, do not click any links even if you know it is a phishing email and you are “just curious" about what will happen. Do forward the email directly to abuse@shsu.edu to allow our IT Security team to take the necessary measures to ensure campus remains secure.

Now for the updates! The work being completed internally to develop new processes, increase client efficiency, and update systems is unending, but I am happy to announce that you will soon begin seeing the results of this work.

In the meantime, here are a few updates regarding two of our ongoing projects:

Develop Service and Product Catalog
The service and product catalog will serve as a guide for campus to help save time and money when preparing to request technology services or items. The catalog allows users to browse through available IT service, hardware, software, and support options already provided to campus.

The product catalog is nearing completion and we hope to release it to campus at the same time as the service catalog.

Redefine and Streamline Technology Acquisitions
The new technology acquisition process is being developed to clarify and streamline IT@Sam's part in technology purchasing. This includes a guided purchasing experience for campus through communication, documentation, and training to ensure that campus has all the tools needed to efficiently complete technology purchases without the headache.

For additional information about IT projects or where we are at in our process, you are welcome to call us, or visit the IT Roadmap on our IT Strategic Alignment site.

Thank you for your support in our endeavors. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break and I look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Heather Thielemann, EdD
Sr. VP for Strategic Enrollment and Innovation | SEI

Sam Houston State University

IT Strategic Alignment | View the IT@Sam Roadmap