Defending against the dark arts of cyberattacks in higher education

In recent years, higher education institutions have faced a growing number of cybersecurity threats. Cybercrimes that were once a speculative risk have become almost inevitable, and it should come as no surprise. Not only do colleges and universities store loads of sensitive and attractive data, but their legacy, outdated systems and open access networks make them more vulnerable to attacks.

In this blog, we will discuss the most common cybersecurity threats facing higher education and what can be done to mitigate them through cloud-based solutions and simple improvements to an institution's cyber governance.

Common Cybersecurity Threats Facing Higher Education

Cybersecurity threats come in many forms, ranging from simple phishing scams to complex hacking attacks that extend across various digital platforms. By understanding what types of security threats and cybercrimes are the greatest threat to higher education in today's cyber threat landscape, colleges and universities can develop the most effective cybersecurity strategy. Below are some of the most common cyber threats impacting higher education.

• Phishing: Phishing is a common form of cyberattack that targets users through emails, text messages, or social media. The goal of phishing is to trick users into clicking on links to malware, malicious websites and divulging their login credentials or personal information.
• Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a system, making them inaccessible to the user. The attacker then demands a ransom in exchange for the decryption key. Often these attacks leverage a double extortion tactic, where the attackers encrypts locally for ransom, but then exfiltrates the data externally to then sell or exploit the information.
• DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are designed to overwhelm a network or website with traffic, making it inaccessible to users. Not as common as in the past, but can be very disruptive to productivity and profitability.
• Malware: Malware is software designed to cause harm to a computer system. It can be used to steal data, disrupt operations, or gain unauthorized access to a network.

5 Strategies to Help Prevent and Defend Against Cyberattacks

While battling against today's high volume of cyberattacks may feel daunting, there are several ways institutions can start building a strong defense.

• Employee Training: Employee training is critical in preventing cyberattacks. All employees should be trained on cybersecurity best practices, including how to recognize and avoid phishing scams, the importance of strong passwords, and how to secure their devices.
• Regular System Updates: Regular system updates and patching can help mitigate the risks of cyberattacks. This includes updating software, firmware, and operating systems.
• Network Segmentation: Network segmentation, specifically micro-segmentation, involves dividing a network into smaller, more secure subnetworks. This can help prevent an attack from spreading across the entire network. Lack of micro-segmentation is the number one reason attackers are so successful in spreading their malware.
• Two-Factor Authentication: Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide two forms of identification to access a system or network. It is absolutely critical that this technology is used for administrative usernames and passwords.
• Cloud-Based Security: Cloud-based security solutions can provide a more secure environment for storing data and applications. Cloud providers often have more robust security measures in place than individual institutions.

Looking Ahead & Staying Prepared

As higher education institutions become increasingly dependent on digital platforms, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes more critical. Cyberattacks can result in the theft of sensitive data, financial loss, and damage to an institution's reputation. But there are ways to keep your data secure. By implementing best practices such as regular system updates, employee training, and micro-segmentation, higher education institutions can mitigate the risks of cyberattacks and loss of sensitive information.

For information on how VMware helps strengthen cybersecurity in higher education with a proactive, comprehensive security platform, download 3 Tactics for Strengthening Cybersecurity in Education.

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