Cyber Attacks in the Australia Education Sector.
Education Industry Faces Increasing Cyber Attacks Risk. The education industry is increasingly becoming a target for cybercriminals.
Fi Mercer and Lynette Walsh, two experts in cybersecurity and governance, have highlighted the growing concern for the education sector.
They are not alone in their assessment, as two Australian institutions, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Australian Cybersecurity Center (ACSC), have reported a significant number of cyber attacks against the education industry.
Education is the third most impacted industry, following health and finance, according to the OAIC report. Although health and finance swap the top spot every now and then, they remain on high alert due to the amount of data they collect. Education, on the other hand, is often an easy target due to its porous security network and numerous entry points.
Moreover, educational institutions usually have a wealth of information that can be valuable to hackers, making them an attractive target. Cyber attacks on the education industry take different forms, including ransomware attacks and data breaches.
The ACSC reports an increasing number of attacks on the education sector, raising concerns about the potential lack of security. As Mercer and Walsh pointed out, one significant cybersecurity risk for all industries, including education, is the lack of multifactor authentication.
It is crucial for educational institutions to understand the risk posed by cyber threats and take necessary measures to protect themselves. One of the essential steps is for educational boards and executives to adopt recognized standards for management and board oversight of cybersecurity, as stated by Mercer.
Understanding the value of data, its location in the network, and who has access to it is also essential for managing cyber risk effectively. Regular training and upskilling of directors and executives are also critical for keeping up with the evolving threat landscape.
Moreover, educational institutions must regularly assess their cybersecurity posture and plan for scenarios, as suggested by Mercer and Walsh. It is also essential for institutions to work with cybersecurity experts to identify vulnerabilities in their network and take necessary steps to address them.
In conclusion, educational institutions must take the cybersecurity threat seriously and adopt a proactive approach to protect themselves from cyber attacks. The education industry is on the radar of cybercriminals, and institutions must be vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent breaches and protect sensitive information.
Educational boards and executives must lead the charge and work closely with cybersecurity experts to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses the unique challenges faced by the education sector.