Cybersecurity is the protection of systems, data, software, and hardware connected to the Internet. Its main objective is to protect the data, many of which are confidential, of the universities by preventing data theft, cyber-attacks, and identity theft.
The accelerated process of integration of information technologies in universities has generated significant positive impacts on the management and operation of institutions, producing efficiencies that at the same time help them to concentrate their efforts on their main function: learning. However, as this integration process progresses, the risks associated with the projection of student information also become more complex to address. Just looking for “write my essay” students encounter unverified sites and are exposed to data theft.
What are the main challenges facing universities?
According to the Center for Digital Education, the challenges are as follows:
- Phishing.One-third of users who receive emails designed to obtain data open them according to a report, was analyzed 2,260 breaches and covered more than 100,000 incidents.
- User education. Students, faculty, and administrative staff at universities are very busy with academic pursuits and have very little time to worry about cybersecurity.
- Cloud security. Cloud computing works well for the IT side of the university, but also presents challenges for security since the institution is not fully in control of the entire process.
- Policymakers’ Commitment to Security Strategies. Security is not always at the top of the list of priorities for university leaders. But as risks and consequences increase, it is important to put security on the radar at the executive level.
- Investing in next-generation security technologies. Like an arms race, the high costs of next-generation technologies pose significant challenges in prioritizing university budgets.
- Identity and access management. The challenge for universities is to implement systems that control who can access different applications and what level of access they need.
- Data security governance. Many universities do not have centralized management, in such cases, it is more difficult to govern data security.
- Personal devices. With faculty and students bringing so many devices to campus, security staff members don’t have the opportunity to make sure those devices are secure, and these devices contribute to wider security breaches.
Importance of cybersecurity
Larger companies with larger IT systems are more likely to be victims of a cyber-attack, but no one is immune. Moreover, they are becoming more frequent and occur at a faster pace.
That is why investing in cybersecurity is a key aspect that all companies should consider. Technology has become a fundamental part of all businesses worldwide which makes us more prone to attacks and that is precisely why protecting them is not something to be taken lightly.
How to protect our information
There are a variety of ways in which to protect yourself from cyber-attacks and phishing. Some of them are:
- Constantly update the software and operating system you use in order to have the latest in security and a higher level of protection.
- Configure spam filters to avoid receiving e-mails from unknown senders that may be phishing cases. In case you receive them, avoid opening them and, if you do, do not click on any link and delete it immediately.
- Use different passwords for each device and make sure they are not easy to guess. Avoid using consecutive numbers or important dates that can easily be linked to.
- Keep a remote copy (without internet connection) of confidential and most important files like documents, essays, research papers, and dissertations.
Benefits of cybersecurity
Having a good cybersecurity system will help you protect your systems against various threats such as ransomware, malware, among others. Thus, your data and networks will be safe, preventing unauthorized users who may have bad intentions from accessing them. Good use of computer security tools will increase the confidence of your customers, both internal and external, in your systems because there will be greater protection for end-users.
