Security

Comprehensive Security Strategies Are Vital for Higher Ed Institutions

College campuses require the security protocols of small communities.

Amy McIntosh is the managing editor of EdTech: Focus on Higher Education.

Higher education IT professionals have a lot on their plates when it comes to security. Because many college campuses function like their own communities, the digital and physical borders can sometimes be blurry. They are responsible for securing a school’s network, but that network can include classrooms, offices, dorms, athletic facilities and other public spaces, not to mention when users access campus resources virtually. Those users include faculty, staff, students and guests, all with varying levels of access needs.

Physically, campuses often take on the characteristics of small towns. Academic and office buildings need to be secured in off hours, but during the day they’re often open to the public, which means comprehensive surveillance and access controls are vital to ensure only authorized individuals are in each space. Security personnel are not only responsible for securing individual buildings, but also common outdoor spaces, parking facilities and any other campus property.

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Careful Coordination Within Higher Education

Because of the complex nature of higher education, IT security teams need to have a comprehensive view of their environments, making it easy to identify and prevent malicious actors from gaining access, whether digitally or physically.

A zero-trust approach to security is an ideal way to ensure the identity of every digital user is verified before they’re granted access to a system. Higher ed institutions such as Virginia Commonwealth University are increasingly adopting this approach to security.

Physical security strategies don’t stop with surveillance cameras. As vehicles enter school property, investing in technology that can read license plates and flag suspicious cars is just as important. The Ohio State University strategically placed these readers around campus and partnered with local law enforcement on protecting the university and the city.

DISCOVER: Cybersecurity fosters resilience in higher education.

Of course, these comprehensive security strategies are nothing without user education, and institutions are investing in that too, readying students for careers in cybersecurity. Through federally recognized cyber ranges, students are getting the hands-on experience employers are looking for.

Institutions have a responsibility to keep students, faculty and staff safe from criminals who operate both online and in person. Thankfully, the technology to combat these evolving threats is becoming more advanced, giving these schools a leg up.

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