Despite the many threats that are plaguing educational organizations, many are unsure of how to protect themselves from them. Fortunately, there are steps to take. Firstly, you must understand the importance of educational cyber security. Cyberattackers view schools as easy targets, and while it was once believed that schools had nothing worth stealing, they are realizing that they do. So how can you protect your students from cyberattacks? By understanding what to do to protect your students’ data, you can make sure that your entire educational institution is secure.
Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities and threats are important first steps in securing your information networks. You must also be aware of risks associated with outdated and unpatched software. Updating these software programs is important for keeping your computer systems secure. Removable media can also be a security risk. If they are stolen, they can cause malware infections to school computers. Furthermore, unsecured removable media can be easily corrupted and used to install malicious software. Fortunately, there are a number of ways schools and school districts can mitigate and respond to cyber threats.
The vast majority of education organizations have experienced some type of cyberattack. The accelerating growth of such attacks should serve as a warning to administrators. According to K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, 73% of organizations have not yet fully prepared for a cyberattack, and many of those that were hit remain unprepared. Therefore, it is imperative for education organizations to adopt the right technology to protect their systems against future attacks. Further, 85% of universities agreed that more funding is necessary to protect their critical research IP.
In addition to these threats, educational institutions also need to protect themselves against ransomware. Ransomware is a prime target for cybercriminals, and this is a growing problem that demands comprehensive educational cyber security. Thankfully, the rising prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic has made it easier than ever for hackers to launch a cyber-attack on schools. The average cost of a successful attack is $5. The average cost of recovering from a cyberattack is only $240, so educational institutions need to protect their systems with a variety of measures.
Another way to help children defend against cyberattacks is to develop an escape room. A cyber-security company created a virtual reality escape room to educate children about common vulnerabilities in cyber-security. The reaction of the children is amazing! The escape room also includes an interview with Adam Pickering, VP of Cybersecurity at CGI UK. Bulmer discusses common everyday threats and how to defend against them. Educational cyber security training should include three main areas:
Developing an effective educational cyber security plan requires a lot of research. Security departments should learn about available tools and implement them. They should also consult with campus personnel, and local and federal law enforcement, as well as emergency management. An ongoing scanning of the school network will help identify threats and identify vulnerabilities. You may also want to implement multi-factor authentication to protect against unauthorized access. The best time to start this process is before the new school year begins.
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