measures, such as robust network security, employee training, data backups and incident response plans.”
Threats recognised Spencer adds that educational establishments are increasingly recognising the
need for robust security measures. “Over time, there has been a growing awareness of the potential risks due to recent high-profile cyberattacks targeting educational institutions that have garnered significant media attention.
“Additionally, data protection and privacy regulations, such as GDPR, have imposed legal obligations on educational institutions, forcing a greater focus on data security and breach prevention. Compliance with these regulations has prompted institutions to prioritise security measures and deepen their understanding of cybersecurity risks.”
There are a range of security solutions educational establishments should seek to get in place, Spencer adds. “Educational institutions should be looking at strengthening network security through the use of firewalls, intrusion detection systems and secure network configurations,” he says. “Regular patching and updates should be implemented to address known vulnerabilities in operating systems, software and applications. To prevent unauthorised access to systems and data, educational institutions should set up access controls and stronger methods of authentication, like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or biometrics. Security awareness training programs should be set up to better educate faculty, staff and students on best practices, such as recognising phishing attempts.”
Spencer adds that educational establishments should also consider developing an incident response plan to mitigate any security incidents. “Regular data
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