Former SBCO IT technician urges board to publish IT audit, adopt stronger cybersecurity rules

Victor McConnell, who said he worked as a computer network technician in the Santa Barbara County Office of Education’s IT department from November 2023 through April 2024, used his public-comment time to press the board on cybersecurity and procurement transparency. He told the board that a 2021 Civil Grand Jury report warned SBCO about missing multi-factor authentication and that some sites received consumer-grade equipment while enterprise purchases (about $90,000) proceeded without technician input. “Ensuring the safety of our students, securing their data, and the stewarding of public funds are central to your governance role,” McConnell said.

McConnell asked the board to take four steps: have Superintendent Susan Salcedo present the full IT management-audit findings with only legally required redactions; adopt standardized, transparent IT infrastructure and safety policies across SBCO sites with emphasis on JCCS and special education; commission an independent cybersecurity review separate from the management audit; and require major tech procurements to explain how they support student safety and use frontline technical expertise. The board did not respond with a formal direction on these requests during the public-comment period; the transcript records his requests for the board to act and that he left supporting materials with the board secretary.