The education industry is thought to be particularly sensitive to cyberattacks. Application security, endpoint security, and patching cadence are all issues that educational institutions are grappling with. As a result, out of 17 main businesses, the education sector is placed last in terms of cybersecurity. This suggests that preventative steps to improve cybersecurity in the Indian education sector are required. The motivation and kind of cyberattacks vary according to the size, purpose, and prestige of the educational institution. Schools have recently begun to use technological techniques to retain data, yet many schools continue to ignore network infrastructure monitoring and protection. Assessment data, learning tool data, educator observations, attendance data, instructor comments, and summative evaluations are all becoming more digitalized as institutions become more digitalized. Meanwhile, as the Internet of Things (IoT) grows in popularity, kids are increasingly using several devices in the classroom, all of which are not safe. The necessity for a protective solution across all institution networks is undervalued by educational institutions. In India, there is a pressing need to combat cyber frauds, since schools acquire vast amounts of personal information. The Indian education industry faces severe challenges due to a lack of adequate resources and a lack of cybersecurity expertise in schools and colleges.
Phishing is one of the most frequent security risks. Phishing attacks are more successful in this business because of the vast user base of students, instructors, and staff, as well as a lack of understanding regarding advanced tactics. Once the hacker has gained access to the network through phishing, they use various harmful tactics such as ransomware, credential theft, and sensitive data theft to get access. To travel laterally inside the network, attackers imitate the behavior of students and privileged users like instructors and IT administrators.
Every hacker’s main goal is to obtain personal information or bank credentials to take funds. Schools and universities are vulnerable to cyberattacks because they handle a huge number of student payments. Schools have been a prominent target for cyber fraud in India because they are inept at handling a large amount of sensitive information about students during admission. To combat this threat, the school must preserve information and maintain a secure network.
For data gathering, testing, and analysis, many schools are turning to online apps. Any change in your network, no matter how little, should be treated seriously. As a result, schools and universities must include application security into their systems, as well as vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and other security measures, to avoid security problems. With students and employees utilizing various personal devices, vulnerable endpoints are on the rise. Children have been spotted linking their gadgets to the same insecure home network. Endpoint security software that can readily detect vulnerabilities and unify network administration should be used by schools. Enrolling students and professors in cybersecurity in the Indian education sector in training programs will raise cybersecurity awareness.
The Indian education sector does not have the financial stability to invest in cybersecurity personnel or software. Without a secure MDM solution, schools and institutions are vulnerable to cyber fraud. Children bring their gadgets to multiple schools, which might make it more difficult to secure a larger network without any security. This has the potential to infect devices, making it a prime target for a data breach.
The Indian education industry should follow a few guidelines to avoid being a victim of cyberattacks. Always remember to keep your password safe and avoid exchanging information with coworkers or other employees. Make your passwords more secure by include characters and changing them once a year. Human mistakes cause data breaches, which may be avoided by offering a basic security training program for students and employees. To reduce hazards, you may also use cybersecurity training. Training may be provided on how to distinguish between safe and hazardous sites when surfing, as well as cybersecurity and its many forms, recognizing suspicious activity and encouraging everyone to use antivirus and malware.
Because of the large amount of data held by these institutions and the rise in linked devices, cybersecurity is a must in this industry. It is critical to shift away from anti-virus software and manual procedures and into the contemporary world. Cybersecurity is no longer a concern limited to the IT industry; it must be addressed as a team effort before it becomes a worldwide issue. To address this problem, all sectors must work together. Switching to automated techniques might help India combat cyber frauds.