Addressing Cybersecurity Concerns at Higher Education Institutions

Higher education IT environments are complex by nature: colleges and universities service a broad range of personas, including staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, admissions applicants, students, alumni, donors, contractors, athletics/arts supporters, and many others who need virtual and physical access every day. On top of that, the current pandemic has exacerbated cybersecurity challenges across the board. Many institutions are facing the financial strain of reduced enrollment; remote work and learning has turned policies and procedures upside-down; higher ed has seen a dramatic increase in cyberattacks; and cybersecurity awareness is perhaps the last thing on users’ minds.