Why are universities so attractive to cyber criminals?
The rise of cybercrime has had a significant impact on many industries, especially Education. Universities and other academic institutions have become prime targets for cybercriminals in recent years due to the large amounts of valuable data that they hold and the weak security measures that are often in place. In this blog, we explore why universities can be attractive to cyber criminals and what they can do to protect themselves and their students.
Why universities are so attractive to cybercriminals:
Universities hold a vast amount of sensitive and valuable data, which can be attractive to cyber criminals for various reasons. For example, research papers and intellectual property can be stolen and sold on the black market. At the same time, personal and financial information of students, faculty, and staff can be used for identity theft and financial fraud. In addition to this, medical records and other sensitive information can be used for malicious purposes.
The sheer amount of data universities collect and store can make them an appealing target for cybercriminals. It can be challenging for universities to effectively manage and secure this data, especially when it is spread across multiple departments, networks, and systems.
Another reason universities are so attractive to cybercriminals is that they often have weak security measures in place. There are many exceptions to this, of course, but generally speaking, universities make it easy for cybercriminals. This is partly due to their open and collaborative nature, which makes it difficult to implement strict security policies without impacting the academic culture and environment. Additionally, universities often have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity, as budgets are primarily focused on academic and research initiatives.
As a result, universities may have outdated or ineffective security measures, such as weak passwords, unsecured networks, and outdated software. This can make it easier for cybercriminals to infiltrate university systems and steal data or carry out other malicious activities.
Universities often have a large attack surface, with numerous entry points that cybercriminals can exploit. This includes not just the main campus network but also departmental networks, research labs and personal devices used by faculty, staff, and students.
This wide range of attack surfaces can make it challenging for universities to keep up with the evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals may exploit vulnerabilities in one area of the university's network and then use that access to move laterally across other systems and networks.
Universities are high-profile targets, and an attack on a university can attract significant media attention and publicity. This can be especially appealing for cybercriminals who want to make a statement or show off their skills. Additionally, universities often have high-value targets, such as researchers working on cutting-edge technology or students with wealthy families.
Finally, universities often have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity. While universities recognise the importance of cybersecurity, they may not have the budget or expertise to implement effective security measures. Additionally, cybersecurity is constantly evolving, and it can be difficult for universities to keep up with the latest threats and security measures.
How can universities protect themselves?
Despite the many challenges that universities face when it comes to cybersecurity, there are steps that they can take to protect themselves and their students. Here are some simple best practices for securing university data:
1. Implement Strong Password Policies.
Universities should require strong passwords for all accounts and systems. This means using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters, and avoiding common or easily guessed passwords. Additionally, universities should require employees and students to change their passwords regularly.
2. Outsource to software vendors where available.
Software vendors usually offer a dedicated service where they will manage and deliver their software on a well-managed, secure-by-design infrastructure. Asking your vendor to explain their SaaS (Software as a Service) or IaaS (infrastructure as a Service) offering is a great place to start. This reduces the burden on the university and assigns partial to full accountability to the vendor.
3. Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to university accounts and systems. This requires users to provide a second form of authentication, such as a code sent to their phone or a biometric identifier, in addition to their password.
4. Keep Software Up-to-Date
Universities should regularly update software and operating systems to ensure they use the latest security patches and protections.
To summarise, cyber attacks can certainly result in significant disruptions to university operations, including downtime of critical systems, loss of sensitive data, and delays in research and other activities. These disruptions can ultimately result in lost productivity, financial costs, and reputational damage for the university.
Universities are, unfortunately, a prime target for cybercriminals due to the vast amount of valuable data they hold. However, by taking steps to protect your data such as using strong passwords, outsourcing to competent software vendors, using two-factor authentication, and keeping software up-to-date, you can help to reduce the risk of cyber attacks.
Kinetic Pulse and KxHosting customers can rest assured that their data is in safe hands with our dedicated experts, who have years of cybersecurity experience. Our team is committed to keeping your data secure and protected from cyber threats.