Education in the Philippines has been continuously integrating digital systems as part of their learning modes. Online learning platforms, accessible cloud-based resources, and technology-integrated classrooms are revolutionizing the way students learn and educators teach. However, with the digitization of learning comes a new challenge—implementing cybersecurity in education.
So, What is the Significance of Cybersecurity in the Education Sector?
Local schools in the country hold a vast amount of sensitive data. From student personal information, staff information, tuition, intellectual property, and school infrastructure—these are confidential data stored in school databases.
According to a report by Kaspersky, 19% of companies in the Asia Pacific region have been victims of cyberattacks from 2021 to 2023—all because these organizations don’t have the budget for cybersecurity. The same study also stated that the Philippines was the second most attacked country in 2022 by web threats, underscoring the need for the country to focus on cybersecurity.
These studies only prove one crucial point: ensuring the protection of your student, faculty, and staff’s data assets is an integral part of your educational institution’s digital transformation.
Top Cybersecurity Threats in Education
While integrating digital systems in your institution offers numerous benefits, it can also open potential weak points that cybercriminals can exploit. Some of the common online threats you can face are:
• Phishing Attacks
These deceptive emails, messages, or websites are made by fraudsters to attempt to trick your students or teachers into revealing login credentials or downloading malware through malicious links. If successful, hackers can use your information for various fraudulent activities, or even sell it to others.
• Ransomware Attacks
Downloading malware can encrypt your school’s data to make it inaccessible to you. Hackers will then demand a ransom payment to decrypt the data—forcing you to spend just to regain access. This attack can be especially devastating if your school has limited resources to recover or rebuild your systems.
• Malware Attacks
Malicious software (a.k.a Malware) like viruses, worms, or spyware can infect your school computers and networks. When this happens, fraudsters can steal information, disrupt school operations, or critically damage your ecosystem.
Experiencing any of these attacks can be devastating to your educational institution. It can lead to delays in student learning, a breakdown of your system, and financial losses.
The Best Cybersecurity Practices in Education
Understanding the top cybersecurity risks is the first step to prevention and mitigation. However, successfully safeguarding your data involves the implementation of the cybersecurity best practices.
1. Train Your Users
The first line of defense for your educational ecosystem is your users. Faculty, students, and staff alike must undergo awareness training to educate them about the common cyber threats they are likely to encounter.
Teach them how to prevent malware attacks, identify phishing, use strong passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and exercise caution when handling emails and attachments.
2. Enforce Strong Access Controls
Encourage your users to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all school-related accounts. MFA protocols will require them to verify their identity with additional information like an access code sent to their registered contact details or through biometric scans. Authenticator apps from Google and Microsoft are examples of effective MFA apps.
Other than MFA, you can also implement the principle of least privilege—granting your users access only to the data and systems they need for their studies or work functions. Regularly monitoring your users’ activities can help identify any suspicious login attempts.
3. Implement Multi-Layered Security Measures
As an educational institution, you must deploy a multi-layered approach to your cybersecurity including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and encryption protocols. A combination of these security measures can protect your network against various cyber threats.
4. Regular Backups
Maintain regular backups of your educational network’s data to a secure location. Whether storing them in servers or transmitting them to cloud systems, this ensures any critical information can be recovered in case of a cyberattack or system failure.
A combination of these best practices is key to your institution’s safe digitization. By consistently implementing these security measures, you can safeguard your data and minimize risks.
Collaborating with Kital Philippines for Secure Network Solutions
Employing cybersecurity practices is a continuous process. With technology’s fast-paced development, it’s important your educational institution adapts to changes—staying ahead of new potential cyber threats.
Here at Kital, we are committed to providing secure solutions to your digital infrastructure. Our experience in integrating digital systems with businesses in various industries ensures that we can protect your school’s online integrity and stability from various threats. Our partnerships with reputable network products like Fortinet, Pcysys, and Dahua guarantees you receive top-quality products for your learning ecosystem.
To learn more about our services, get in touch with us today!
