Higher education institutions face many cyber security issues. Transition to distance and hybrid learning spurs their spread. The increasing prevalence of cybercrime globally completes the core reasons. These institutions hold personal data and financial information about students, faculty, and staff. This data makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals. The human factor often contributes to successful cyber attacks in higher ed. Examples are ignorance or disregard for basic rules of cyber hygiene. Higher education curricula often lack scientific information about cyber security. Thus, we are going to discuss what threats and issues cyber security faces to raise our level of understanding. We will also understand the need for improvement in educational programs on information security.
Classifying Cyber Security Problems
The higher education sector is very vulnerable to cyber threats. Hazard develops with the transition to distance and hybrid learning and later attacks. Threats rise with personal data, financial information, and research-related data in educational institutions. The classification of the most common cyber problems in higher education reveals their nature. It also allows a better understanding of their specifics. They consist of:
- Human-driven factors, such as staff or student mistakes. They develop due to ignorance or disregard for basic cyber hygiene practices;
- Technology faulty nature, like IoT device vulnerabilities, ransomware/malicious software;
- Motive-led schemes, such as identity theft, financial gain purposes, and espionage attempts. The list extends to phishing attacks, DDoS attacks, and threats to content management systems (CMS).
This comprehensive classification enables educational institutions to understand the main cybersecurity threats. It helps install effective tools and strategies at all levels of cybersecurity defense.
Addressing Cyber Security Issues in Higher Education Institutions
Higher education institutions face many information security challenges. Establishments need effective strategies and measures to mitigate the risks. Here, primary measures are as follows:
- A notable increase of cybersecurity challenges occurs in academic settings. It provokes the necessity for established security protocols and standards. Universities must invent and incorporate cybersecurity strategies after careful risk assessment. Their measures should align with their organizational needs. They should use robust risk management regulations to prevent possible breaches or infractions.
- Institutions enhance the educational content about cybersecurity. It is vital for mitigating cyber crimes and attacks. Students have to learn essential expertise and awareness of cybersecurity practices. Universities could better prepare them for professions where such concerns are prevalent. Establishments exploit valid materials and resources. One of such reliable and adequate sources refers to FastEssay and its dissertation writing services offering a valid approach to cut the exposure to cyber attacks due to trustworthy alternatives for institution tasks and complex papers. Experts will reply and fulfill even urgent requests.
Similar security measures get the potential to resolve cyber security breaches in establishments.
Pressing Concern of Cyber Security Threats in Higher Education
Cyber security risks in higher education require immediate attention. College and university become exposed to a multitude of information security challenges. Risks grow with their overreliance on technology and online platforms. The awareness of the importance of cyber security and its role in safeguarding sensitive data is crucial. Yet, several pressing threats affect cyber security measures in higher education:
- Availability of resources. Educational institutions often face challenges in securing adequate resources. They lack funding and personnel to bolster their cybersecurity defenses. The shortage affects institution’s investment in robust security measures and security assessments. Moreover, inadequate specialized expertise in cybersecurity distances from a safe environment. It provokes the vulnerability of higher education institutions to cyber attacks.
- Evolving nature of cyber security threats. Educational institutions must consistently update their security protocols to stay ahead. They could turn to regular monitoring, proactive measures, and timely software and system updates. Neglecting to address these changing risks puts colleges and universities at risk. Possible damage is data breaches, unauthorized access, and other cyber attacks.
- Students themselves. We heavily rely on online platforms for various academic activities. This reliance makes us particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks. Cyber criminals may target students' personal information and research data. They can even disrupt their online learning experiences. Higher education institutions have to prioritize the protection of their students. They should provide useful training on best practices of cyber security in higher education.
The shared and explained threats point to both institutions’ and student’s susceptibility to cyber crimes. Knowing them means one step forward to better self-protection.
Role of Awareness in Tackling Cyber Security in Education
Students lack knowledge about cybersecurity skills, understanding, habits, hygiene, and software tools. Their digital ignorance and illiteracy lead to cyber-attacks. Cyber-hygiene awareness among students becomes extremely relevant. Its practical benefit lies in improving online learning security. Besides, awareness campaigns regarding cybersecurity promise to impact your online learning outcomes positively.
The justified relevance highlights the need to enhance personal cybersecurity. Increased cyber-hygiene knowledge and behaviors among higher-education students helps to do that. Introducing holistic approaches to cyber-hygiene awareness is critical for safe online learning practices. The lack of cyber-hygiene cognition, knowledge, and skills among higher-education students increases vulnerability. It makes a student an easy target for scammers. The anti-cybercrime community will help you maintain online threat alerts. Experts will also assist to report a scam, or detect malicious messages. Thus, higher education settings should increase awareness of cyber-hygiene issues.
Potential Solutions to Cyber Security Issues in Higher Education
The list of effective measures could counter the aforementioned issues and risks. Potential solution requires restructuring the establishment’s policies and regulations and changing culture. The key of them are:
- Introducing comprehensive and up-to-date curricula. It will cover topics of cyber security in higher education. Better curricula and syllabuses focus on cyber security issues in higher education institutions. Updated materials help students get the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the labor market.
- Increasing awareness among faculty members and students about common cyber threats. Educational institutions should prioritize educating their staff and students about basic rules. Entire academic community should learn and master cyber hygiene. The step minimizes mistakes or ignorance that could lead to vulnerabilities.
- Implementing effective tools and strategies at all levels of cybersecurity. Educational institutions must understand the main threats to their networks and systems. This stage includes being aware of common ways of hacking and leaking confidential data. Appropriate measures could protect against identity theft, ransomware, phishing, and other cyber threats.
Hence, the most effective coping solutions lie in following a comprehensive holistic approach.
Bottom Line
So, addressing cyber security issues in higher education requires a multi-faceted approach. Improving curricula and raising awareness among faculty and students are instrumental. Effective cybersecurity tools and strategies let educational institutions protect themselves from cyber threats. You are free to join and advance your user behavior. Advanced knowledge prevents cyber attacks and boosts your filtering mechanisms.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).