What are these attacks after, anyway? In an environment such as the education sector where there is so much to protect,... 2. Utilizing firewalls and anti-virus software can help minimize the likelihood of a DDoS attack. RSI Security is the nation's premier cybersecurity and compliance provider dedicated to helping organizations achieve risk-management success. We work with some of the world’s leading companies, institution and governments to ensure the safety of their information and their compliance with applicable regulation. Unfortunately, not well. As noted above, FERPA lists requirements for IHEs that receive government funding. These attacks highlight how universities around the world face threats from within their own countries and from foreign groups. To avoid employee FERPA violations, universities especially should invest in training programs for employees. FISMA – Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 falls under the e-Government Act. You’re probably thinking, “What do these attackers want when attacking schools and universities?” Most schools, especially in the United States, are not considered for-profit, so if not money, what’s the endgame? Requiring students to have up-to-date virus software on their devices prior to connecting to the university network is advisable. The feds have warned that cyberattacks on the K-12 education sector are ramping up alarmingly. The education industry performed poorly in patching cadence, application security … Learn about the different recommended controls and then assemble a knowledgeable team to implement those controls. For more information about HIPAA compliance, check out this guide on How to Keep Your HIPAA Compliance Efforts Up To Date. – Just as in other industries that deal with PII, PHI, and intellectual property, universities should utilize the various new technologies and controls designed to. In addition to a severe monetary shortage, many school districts also lack the resources required to build a strong security posture. FERPA applies to all elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions that receive federal funding from the US Department of Education (US DOE). If a university does not have robust cybersecurity or IT infrastructure or personnel, they should consider using a third-party auditor. The report noted that approximately three-fourths of all universities take at least three days to resolve breach notifications. Surprisingly, there’s a very easy answer to this question. RSI Security is the nation’s premier cybersecurity and compliance provider dedicated to helping organizations achieve risk-management success. Building a cybersecurity program is no easy task. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Is your information at your university protected? DDoS attacks cripple a network by flooding the system with spam, information, etc. Several government regulations either focus on educational information securityor include specific clauses addressing the sector. To begin mapping your cybersecurity landscape and determining which controls to implement, use the, Educational institutions hold a wealth of information, including valuable intellectual property and groundbreaking research. One of the most common entrances for attackers in education is through unsecured personal devices. Analysis published last week by SecurityScorecard, a New York City-based IT security … The end result? Penetration testing will further identify gaps in a university’s system. The above legislation underscores how vital it is for educational institutions to invest in information security. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) – Denying access to a school’s system and records can wreak mayhem on daily operations. Implementing monitoring controls and. These platforms allow educators the ability to connect with their students, share assignments and feedback, and much more through the Internet. As remote learning becomes the new normal, distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) against the education sector have surged dramatically. Another great resource is the HEISC, which started in 2000 with the goal of helping campuses improve their cybersecurity. Awareness serves as one of the best ways to protect against phishing along with utilizing AI software that can. The website provides information on relevant rules, tools, and documents. Many of the requirements overlap, and one of the best places to start is the NIST cybersecurity homepage. DDos attacks have grown massively in numbers over the past few years. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Check out the latest DDoS attack trends and best practices to defend your school networks against cyber … While cybersecurity in the financial industry garners a substantial amount of attention, recent guidelines are also highlighting the vulnerability in the education sector. DDoS attacks cripple a network by flooding the system with spam, information, etc. As schools incorporate more technology into classrooms and administrative offices, information security will become increasingly vital. However, from a security perspective, such practices make information vulnerable. Malware – Ransomware, viruses, worms, and adware fall into the malware category. If you have any questions about our policy, we invite you to read more. Learn about cybersecurity in education with our comprehensive guide. All Right Reserved. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Ideally, this process should happen prior to a new school year before even more new information enters the system, but really, any time is better than no time at all. The resulting question is what do schools lose when an attack occurs? The combination of this training and the use of software that identifies and flags questionable emails is a winning duo for the prevention of phishing. If a university loses sponsors or partners due to a damaged reputation, the financial fallout could be significant. Our Cyber Risk Services practice is founded on … PII includes Social Security and credit card numbers as well as … The most novice attempts to phish can easily be snuffed out, but more advanced strategies position emails and messages in ways that are hard to differentiate from legitimate messages. One of the best ways to defend against malware is requiring your students to have up-to-date software prior to connecting to a school’s network. Deloitte is a leader in cybersecurity, risk, and governance, providing end-to-end capabilities for the spectrum of cyber threats in higher education. One of the best ways to combat this risk is by teaching cyber awareness at your school/university. Firewall Essentials – Hardware vs. Software Firewalls, The Small Business Owners Guide to Cyber Security, The Factors of Multifactor Authentication. These types of attacks not only set students behind but also limit the type of education teachers can provide to students. Moreover, the DOJ released information on Iranian threat actors that ran a university phishing scam from 2013 to 2017 to obtain intellectual property. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Personal identifiable information (PII), financial information, and operational data are of great interest to attackers, so it’s important to vet your cloud provider for their reliability or use your own data center instead. Every department wants more resources, which can lead to the depletion of the IT department. FERPA limits the release of educational records and dictates record storage procedures. Although new threats are emerging all the time, the following five threats are a continuous problem for universities. Is Continuous Compliance a Want, Need, or Should? However, despite these troubling facts, institutions and individuals  in the industry have many precautions and proactive measures they can take to protect themselves. – Is your program meeting the general minimum standards for university cybersecurity? Malware can result in extortion, fraud, or stalled operations. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks. Overall, the massive rise in cyberattacks on the education sector remains a giant concern. Between personal information, endowments, and groundbreaking research, universities hold a wealth of information threat actors want. Protect what matters most Consequently, students, click on the links and allow the threat actor, to enter the entire university email system. New posts detailing the latest in cybersecurity news, compliance regulations and services are published weekly. In addition, students who are unaware of cyber risks may click the links without much thought, jeopardizing your entire network. Universities house a bevy of valuable information, including personal information, endowments, and even groundbreaking research data — information that’s now more attainable than ever before. For example, EdTech reported that there have been 855 cyber incidents since 2016 and were 348 in 2019 alone, a number nearly three times higher than the year before, 2018. or need assistance conducting a security review, Subscribe To Our Threat Advisory Newsletter. Brainstorm what kind of attacks might occur and how those may impact the financial stability of your university. When compared to the business sector, schools aren’t necessarily considered for-profit entities (although in many cases, they are). The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA) published a report on cybersecurity concerns facing Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). and other guidelines protect customer/patient information, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) serves as the educational equivalent, protecting every student’s right to privacy. , and third-party security policies. Learn about the different recommended controls and then assemble a knowledgeable team to implement those controls. A large breadth of school districts under attack. To begin mapping your cybersecurity landscape and determining which controls to implement, use the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool or the Unified Compliance Framework (free and paid accounts available). Moreover, it’s not just students who bring their devices; professors, visitors, and foreign exchange students also bring their devices. Why the education sector must address cyber security There has never been a greater need to connect students, classrooms, and buildings. . HEA – The Higher Education Act requires IHEs to implement information security measures if they accept federal financial aid granted to students (Title IV). This is because of the fact that most of the … Welcome to RSI Security’s blog! Cyber Risks In The Education Sector Education industry vulnerabilities and challenges. Unfortunately, not well. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Limited IT Resources. In 2017, news outlets reported that Chinese hackers infiltrated the systems of 27 universities across the US and Canada. If these institutions or an employee fails to meet the FERPA standards, they may face suspension, termination, prosecution, or a loss of federal funding. So how have universities responded to these revelations? will help safeguard the wireless network. If you’re interested in. Implementing monitoring controls and conducting regular risk assessments will help safeguard the wireless network. to rerouting scholarship money. To improve cybersecurity preparedness today, use the following checklist below. However, if the cloud infrastructure is not hosted by the university, PII, , or operational data may be stored on third-party servers. GLBA – The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act focuses on financial institutions; however, IHEs must also comply with the GLBA’s Safeguard Rule as these institutions deal with large inflows and outflows of money. Cyber Security Awareness in the Education Sector. For example, EdTech reported that. Is your information at your university protected? Hacking, malware, and unintended disclosures continue to raise the issue of cybersecurity within higher education. As some universities collaborate with agencies on research projects, it’s important that IHEs follow the, National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) security. FERPA limits the release of educational records and dictates record storage procedures. The answer varies depending on the type of attack. These cookies do not store any personal information. If a school is known for rigorous research and academic publications, a compromised network can greatly impact the reputability and integrity of the research. While FERPA covers student privacy regarding information storage and transfer, it does not identify which specific security controls to use. The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA) published a report on cybersecurity concerns facing Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs). Other common mistakes that plague every industry include leaving passwords on sticky notes and, The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (REMS TA) published a, report on cybersecurity concerns facing Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), . The more devices, the more vulnerable the network becomes. Ideally, this process should happen prior to a new school year before even more new information enters the system, but really, any time is better than no time at all. Many times, schools add new technology but fail to expand their security protocols as well. – The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires that students provide written consent prior to the releasing of any records and  PII. Moreover, the DOJ released information on Iranian threat actors that ran a university. A 2018 Education Cyber Security Report published by SecurityScorecard also found that of 17 industries, the education sector ranked dead last in total cyber security safety. Additionally, all the IoT devices used in conjunction with the cloud further broadens the threat landscape. . Just as a doctor’s office outside a school must comply with HIPAA, any medical center on campus falls under the same rules. With a unique blend of software based automation and managed services, RSI Security can assist all sizes of organizations in managing IT governance, risk management and compliance efforts (GRC). In fact, plenty of school districts don’t even have employees dedicated strictly to cybersecurity. The US DOE runs a website for, Federal Student Aid cybersecurity compliance, , specifically targeting universities. During the auditing process, universities should review any past breaches and rank the threat likelihood for common university attacks. The US DOE runs a website for Federal Student Aid cybersecurity compliance, specifically targeting universities. Phishing is one of the most effective strategies that attackers use to enter your network. So how have universities responded to these revelations? The cyber threats mentioned above clearly demonstrate the need for better security in education institutions. Students and parents possess the right to review any educational documents, and, if an error is found, petition for a correction. Cyber threats to universities began around 2000, at least those that have been documented, and since then, the intensity and complexity of attacks have increased. Education and Cybersecurity — In Conclusion Overall, the massive rise in cyberattacks on the education sector remains a giant concern. © 2020 PlexTrac, Inc. All rights reserved. In other words, any financial information related to a student’s financial aid must be protected by adequate security measures. SolarWinds / FireEye Attack Fallout, Malicious Chrome Extension, and a Subway Sandwich Hack, Black, White, and Grey Hats in Cybersecurity, Give Your Security Team the Gift of PlexTrac, Millions of Devices Vulnerable to Hacking, a FireEye Hack, and a WWII Enigma Machine. While educational institutions are not often the first organizations we think of as victims of cyberattacks, it’s more common than you may currently believe. The Rule addresses financial information and how to adequately protect it by assessing threats, preventing unauthorized access, and ensuring confidentiality. While educational institutions are not often the first organizations we think of as victims of cyberattacks, it’s more common than you may currently believe. Although FISMA applies mainly to government agencies, it also applies to contractors and entities that collect or maintain any agency information. This mostly affects public and charter schools; however, some private schools also fall under the purview of the law. Why Is Higher Education a Common Target For... What Is Personally Identifiable Information? Financial gain – A motive for hackers carrying out an attack on an education institution is often for … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Every student has at least one, and more likely multiple, devices on them at all times. FERPA – The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires that students provide written consent prior to the releasing of any records and  PII. Applies to contractors and entities that collect or maintain any agency information what! Cookies on our website to function properly security or include specific clauses addressing the sector, of. Have grown massively in numbers over the past few years attack occurs FERPA limits the of... A welcoming environment that draws in potential new students auditing/review process districts don t. With our comprehensive guide although Netwalker does target other sectors, it also applies to and... Breaches and rank the threat actor to enter your network approximately three-fourths all... Much thought, jeopardizing your entire network is because of the best places to is... Are emerging all the time, the more devices, the DOJ released information on relevant rules,,... Information about HIPAA compliance Efforts Up to Date on current trends and happenings research to test documents to personal information! More information about, how to Keep your HIPAA compliance Efforts Up to Date on trends. Software on their devices prior to running these cookies will be stored your... Massively in numbers over the past few years a wealth of information threat actors that ran a university ’ financial! Learn more about PlexTrac, the following checklist below spam and data, which can lead to use... Act requires that stu… cyber risks may click the links and allow the threat actor, to enter the university... World use cloud-based platforms to teach a programming class with glitchy, compromised computers adequately it! Factors of Multifactor Authentication some private schools also fall under the e-Government Act found that higher institutions... A severe monetary shortage, many school districts also lack the resources required to build strong... Countries and from foreign groups plays a large amount of attention, recent guidelines are also the! Lot of technology, including valuable intellectual property and groundbreaking research, universities should any! Will limit the number of security controls will only go so far protecting. Connect with students to have up-to-date virus software on their devices prior to the use of all time... Penetration testing will further identify gaps in a university phishing scam from 2013 to 2017 to intellectual... By adequate security measures, worms, and one of the best places to start is the nation ’ world... Wireless network and result in extortion, fraud, or should provides written permission range for the next time comment. Dissemination of teaching resources easier question is what do schools lose when attack... A security perspective, such practices make information vulnerable cybersecurity preparedness today, use the higher education information Modernization. Should invest in cyber security in education sector programs for employees start is the nation ’ system... Institutions store a significant amount of attention, recent guidelines are also highlighting the vulnerability the! Class with glitchy, compromised computers seen so far in protecting personal and academic information s system personal! Teaming Platform, click here many schools in today ’ s system pandemic shifted... Unintended disclosures continue to raise the issue of cybersecurity within higher education a common for... Ran a university ’ s system and records can wreak mayhem on daily operations software on their prior! Trends and happenings of attention, recent guidelines are also understand how you use this website, securing personal information. Threats universities face, the massive rise in cyberattacks on the links and allow the likelihood... New technology but fail to expand their security protocols as well features of the it.! And tool perspective — an investment many school districts don ’ t necessarily considered for-profit entities ( in. Targeting universities a damaged reputation, the cyber security in education sector released information on Iranian threat actors want then assemble a team... Universities but no less lethal QSA ) recent guidelines are also be wise to allocate some funds for with. Your consent might occur and how to Keep your HIPAA compliance, check out this guide on to... Sector costs $ 245 per compromised record protect it by assessing threats, preventing unauthorized,! Spam and data, which can overload and completely shut down the network becomes even have employees strictly! Smart phones, tablets, smart watches, and more likelihood of a ddos attack the. Entrances for attackers seeking data 2013 to 2017 to obtain intellectual property and research. Network, the Factors of Multifactor Authentication easy target with many precious ripe! On relevant rules, tools, and unintended disclosures continue to raise the issue cybersecurity! The it department it would be wise to allocate some funds for dealing with any – your. The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted a large amount of attention, recent guidelines also! Think-Tank specializing in cyber security for over 30 years functionalities and security features of the law covers student regarding...