TECHNOLOGY
campusreview. com. au
Being smarter with data
Data management and security are emerging as two of the biggest challenges for modern universities.
Emy Carr interviewed by Kirstie Chlopicki
With first semester underway, experts say universities will be operating in uncharted digital territory – one that could prove dangerous if not handled correctly.
Digital data expert and EC Integrators managing director Emy Carr says online data is changing the education game and posing new challenges for higher education institutions.
Most prominent among these is the potential for universities to act as a“ goldmine for hackers” if security measures are not implemented.
Refusing to take such measures seriously could compromise a university’ s reputation, student personal information, coursework, exam results, administration systems and research.
Carr also raises the point that funded researchers are unlikely to contribute to institutions they feel may compromise the security of their work.
On the other end of the scale, data has become increasingly important in terms of keeping track of students, measuring progress and engagement, determining student needs and assessing the overall quality of the university experience.
To find out more, Campus Review spoke to Carr about what it means to be fully prepared for the digital era.
CR: Many universities rely on their data being online, whether for research or information on admissions or keeping track of students. What do you think are the main challenges they face? EC: The main challenge is that universities are a big target for hackers because universities have a spirit of collaboration and open sharing.
Security is much harder for universities [ than for many other organisations ], especially now, given the number of students – and the influx of new students every year – coming in to universities with their own computers.
It’ s very difficult to scan for viruses on every one of those devices. It’ s also difficult because universities have limited resources.
What are some of the implications for universities that don’ t secure or properly manage their data? Well, if universities don’ t properly manage their
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