The education sector relies more on technology to provide learning and administrative services in the current era of digitalization. As technology advances, the need for strong cyber security measures becomes more important than ever.
Cyber security services are crucial in safeguarding educational institutions from various cyber threats and attacks, such as data breaches, hacking, phishing, and ransomware attacks.
The education industry is particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks because they handle sensitive data, such as student records, financial details, and research data. Therefore, educational institutions need to prioritize cyber security services to protect their digital assets and maintain the trust of their stakeholders.
This article will explain why cyber security services are important in education and suggest ways institutions can improve their cyber security.
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What Makes Education a Target for Cybercrime?
Education venues come in different sizes, with different purposes and levels of importance, which means that the reasons for being targeted by cybercriminals can also vary. There are four main reasons why the Education sector is prone to cyber attacks.
1. DDoS attacks
DDoS attacks are frequently used to target all types of educational institutions. Such attacks are designed to disrupt the institute's network and hurt productivity. If the target network does not have sufficient protection, these attacks can be easily executed even by beginner cyber criminals. Some students or teachers may have successfully launched DDoS attacks, with motivations ranging from wanting a day off to protesting a complaint-handling process.
2. Financial Gain
One reason why hackers may target educational institutions is for financial gain. Private institutions and universities/colleges are particularly vulnerable because they handle many student fees, often paid through online portals.
This means a large amount of money being transferred makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. Hackers can take advantage of the vulnerability caused by insufficient protection and preparation. Public schools might have a lower risk of such attacks.
3. Data Theft
All levels of education are being targeted in a new attack. All institutions store student and staff data, including personal information like names and addresses. That's why this is happening. Cybercriminals may find this information valuable and use it for various purposes, such as selling it to third parties or extorting money. The alarming thing about this attack is that hackers can go undetected for long periods.
4. Espionage
Espionage is another reason why cybercrime targets education. Universities and colleges, especially those that are centers for research, hold valuable intellectual property. In the past, it was reported that there had been instances where hackers compromised scientific, engineering, and medical research at universities in the UK. These attacks are often led by professionals and require significant funding and time. Therefore, universities and colleges need to be adequately protected.
How is the Education Sector Breached by Cyber Attacks?
Professionals who specialize in providing IT consulting services to further and higher education institutes were surveyed about the most prevalent cyber threats their institutions face. The top three responses revealed the most frequent methods through which education networks are compromised. Let's review each of them one by one in the following article.
1. Ransomware/Malware
IT consulting firms are critical in helping organizations protect against cyber threats such as ransomware and malware attacks. These types of attacks are among the top three cyber threats identified in many reports, and they can cause significant disruptions by preventing users from accessing their network or files.
Attackers may demand payment in exchange for restoring access to files they have taken hostage. Cybercriminals often use Trojans disguised as legitimate files or attachments to launch these attacks. However, some ransomware, like the WannaCry attack, has demonstrated the ability to spread across multiple devices without user interaction.
2. Phishing
Phishing scams are common cyber attacks that usually involve an email or instant message. The sender aims to trick the recipient into giving away their login credentials by making them believe the message is from a trustworthy source. This poses a significant threat to higher education institutions, which hackers frequently target through these tactics. Both sensitive student data and confidential research could be compromised as a result.
3. Lack of Awareness
IT consultants for both further and higher education have identified a third threat: the possibility of staff or students compromising the network due to a lack of training in cyber hygiene or accidents. Despite having different appearances, all three cybersecurity threats in the education sector stem from human error. By improving overall cybersecurity training and understanding attackers' motives and methods, education institutions can enhance their protection against cyberattacks.
Tips for Securing your IT Network in the Education Sector
1. Training
One way to deal with a lack of funding and resources is to offer basic training to all network users. You can do this by sharing a handbook with staff and students explaining what to be wary of and offering advice on practicing good cybersecurity habits. By giving people the information they need to keep the network secure at all entry points, you could lower the number of incidents caused by mistakes.
2. Authentication
To enhance the safety of your institution and students without spending too much, consider using a multi-factor authentication (MFA) tool that is easy to use. By requiring an additional login step, unauthorized access can be prevented. When looking for an MFA provider, prioritize a user-friendly platform to decrease the need for administrative support. This not only saves on overhead costs but also maintains network security.
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Conclusion
Cybersecurity is an ever-growing concern for the education sector. To protect the network and sensitive data, universities, colleges, and other institutions must deploy a proactive defense strategy that combines training for staff and students with security measures such as MFA tools. In any organization, especially in the educational sector, protecting against potential threats should be a top priority. It is essential to safeguard the data of both staff and students.
Security service Corpus Christi helps to provide secure solutions for educational institutions. With their help, organizations can ensure that their networks remain safe from cyber threats now and in the future.
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