Technology
campusreview.com.au
Beat the cyber spies
Ten inexpensive ways to vanquish
cyber spies in higher education.
By Michael Hartland
J
ust a few short years ago, cyber
attacks were a barely recognized
threat. They felt intangible,
unlikely, a concern for the future
perpetrated by bored yet technically
gifted teenagers.
Fast-forward to today and cyber security
is the most pressing IT issue for many
organisations – including universities and
higher education institutions.
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The motivations behind cyber attacks
can range from political to personal, or just
plain mischievous. But the risks are far more
clear and profound: compromised data,
stolen research and reputational damage.
The nearly 1200 UK breaches in 2016–17
were double the number of attacks in the
sector the previous year.
Addressing the cyber threat is imperative
for colleges and universities, yet needn’t be
complicated or expensive. These 10 areas
focus on communications and culture –
not big funding or technical systems. It’s
time to say goodbye to the cyber spies.
1
Make communication a priority
In today’s bustling workplaces, it’s
often difficult to get messages through to
teaching staff. These people are busy, their
inboxes bulge with emails, students place
demands on their attention.
In this environment, it’s important to
have reliable, authoritative IT comms that
staff take notice of. A cyber attack which
causes a network outage impacts your
ability to teach. Advising staff such that
alternative measures can be put in place is
essential to minimise disruption.
Tip: Introduce a communication channel
exclusive for high-priority messages.
Desktop alerts which pop up on staff
computer screens and bypass email are
very effective.
2
Reach everyone, everywhere
Colleges and universities are dispersed
environments. Teaching and administrative
staff are located in multiple different
faculties and campuses. Contractors are
increasingly employed for shorter-term
projects. Remote teams connect with
central offices through mobile devices.
Advising on cyber security best
practice, or informing of policy updates,
requires aligning all staff – wherever they
are, and whatever device they’re using.
Neglecting anyone leaves the door open
for potential breaches.
Tip: Ensure your communications don’t
exclude anyone. Increase readership