Higher education institutions store vast amounts of sensitive information, including student and personnel records, financial details, and proprietary faculty research. This accumulated data makes schools an ideal target for bad actors in the modern cyberscape, yet such dangers are further heightened by colleges’ and universities’ unique technology requirements. Therefore, implementing reliable security compliance solutions is essential for maintaining operational integrity, stakeholders’ trust, and ethical standards.
At Assura, we offer comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that can protect educational institutions and their data from digital threats. Our team can help identify vulnerabilities, develop personalized solutions, and implement cyber safeguards to prevent malicious attacks in the future. To enhance your university’s protections for sensitive information, call (804) 672-8714 today.
Below, we discuss cybersecurity methods to protect student and faculty data:
Cybersecurity Challenges for Educational Environments
Higher education facilities present an exceptionally complex challenge for cybersecurity. Fundamental aspects of the university experience—shared Wi-Fi networks, accessible computer labs, and the constant flow of foot traffic—offer ample openings for malicious actors. Moreover, the academically necessary exchange of files and data between students and faculty is a particularly dangerous crux that digital threats can exploit.
Universities have also embraced online learning platforms and cloud-based services following Covid, which opens significant digital infrastructure to cyber attacks. Effective solutions must address these pressing challenges without compromising institutions’ educational mission. Happily, institutions have options available.
How Educational Institutions Can Address Cybersecurity Challenges
Training and Awareness Programs
Human error remains the leading cause of security breaches across all sectors, including education. Therefore, colleges and universities must educate students, staff, and faculty about current threats and security best practices to reduce vulnerability.
Popular cybersecurity training programs at schools include phishing simulations that help users recognize suspicious emails, workshops on secure data handling practices, and guideline recaps for reporting security breaches.
Access Controls
Access control systems are another foundation of effective security frameworks. Implementing the principle of least privilege—in which users receive access only to what they need—can significantly reduce potential exposures due to compromised credentials.
Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) also strengthens access security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification before granting access. Institutions should enable 2FA for all tools and accounts that hold student records, financial information, and sensitive research findings.
Maintaining Regulatory Compliance.
Regulations for data protection, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), exist to ensure organizations like universities handle sensitive data appropriately. Compliance frameworks require specific safeguards for different data types, and university officials should familiarize themselves with the relevant safeguards devoted to the information they use. Finally, schools should regularly audit their cybersecurity practices to ensure continued compliance, keep encryption up to date, and breach response plans.
Cybersecurity Tools That Help Protect Student and Faculty Data
- Penetration Testing: Conduct penetration testing to identify any vulnerabilities. Simulate real-world attacks to remedy weaknesses before they are exploited.
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable 2FA for all accounts accessing sensitive data to reduce the risk of unauthorized access (even if passwords are compromised).
- Email Filters: Deploy advanced email filtering solutions to block phishing attempts, malware, and spam before they reach users’ inboxes, protecting against a common attack vector.
- Network Segmentation: Implement network segmentation to isolate critical systems and data, limiting the impact of a breach and preventing lateral movement of attackers within the network.
- Incident Response Planning: Establish a structured incident response plan to ensure swift, effective action in the event of a security breach.
Trusted Security Compliance Solutions for Higher Education Institutions
At Assura, we understand the cybersecurity challenges that educational institutions face. Our team has designed strategic security compliance solutions to protect sensitive data, enhance regulatory compliance, and ensure universities can focus on their core mission of education and research. To learn more about Assura’s higher education cybersecurity services, call (804) 672-8714 today.