Cybersecurity for universities

Advice on how to keep universities and their students and staff safe from cyberattacks and data breaches. Here, you will find expert guides on establishing good "netiquette" for online learning, understanding the risks of social media and AI tools and data protection, privacy and cybersecurity policies and practices to prevent students and staff falling victim to phishing or ransomware attacks.

Young black man working at a computer terminal

Why digital stability has become a governance imperative

Technological resilience is not just a systems problem when failure can impact operations, academic credibility, public trust and equitable education. Here, Fulufhelo Nemavhola expands the considerations for universities

Fulufhelo Nemavhola

Durban University of Technology

Partner with news outlets to combat fake news

Five ways universities and media outlets can work together to build resilience against misinformation

Andreas Munzel

Vlerick Business School

A man types on a laptop, smartphone in the foreground

How universities’ mobile device management policies can increase cyber risk

Mobile device management is useful for university-owned devices, but making it a blanket requirement on staff and students’ personal devices can increase the potential damage of a major breach. Find out why – and how to protect your institution

Aybars Tuncdogan

King’s College London

Why universities in developing countries should prioritise data to maximise AI opportunities

By focusing on data quality, stewardship and governance, universities in low- and middle-income countries can harness AI’s potential to drive institutional growth, improve educational outcomes and foster equity in higher education

Cameron Mirza

International Research and Exchanges Board

How not to fall victim to a cyberattack

Where is your university vulnerable to ransomware or access via a third-party provider? Here are ways to reduce risk and maintain security across your IT network

Nicole Stewart

Jisc

Digital padlock with motherboard imagery as the background

Retaining qualified IT staff is the key to cyber resilience

Practical guidance on training and empowering staff to maintain robust cyber-defences that protect students, the workforce and the institution as a whole

Petrus Mursanto

The University of Indonesia

A ball of paper gradually becomes a paper plane

Change is coming, whether higher education likes it or not

Universities may talk about digital transformation, but are yet to translate it into action. Here’s how to start building the momentum for change, instead of standing still

Andrew Greenway

Public Digital

A laptop screen with deepfake technology

Deepfakes are coming for higher education. What can we do to prepare?

Deepfakes are easier than ever to make, leaving students and academics vulnerable to cyberbullying, reputational damage and educational integrity. Here’s how to be vigilant against them

Jasper Roe, Mike Perkins

James Cook University Singapore, British University Vietnam

Two young women working on cybersecurity

There’s nothing technical about cybersecurity

Discussing and demystifying cybersecurity can help us shift it from a technology issue to being all about people, even at the sector level, writes David Batho

David Batho

Jisc

Five ways universities can protect faculty from online harassment

With more online engagement and interaction have come increased threats and attacks against faculty, staff and students. Here are measures institutions can take to raise awareness and provide support

Alexis Martinez

Georgia Tech’s Center for 21st Century Universities

Should we be worried? An educators’ introduction to the metaverse

What is it and what might it mean for the future of education?

Paul Bailey

Jisc

Developing a library service continuity plan focused on digital services and cybersecurity

How can library teams prepare and protect their digital services from cybersecurity threats? Amy Pawlowski and Gwen Evans draw on three real-life examples to offer important lessons

Amy Pawlowski , Gwen Evans

OhioLINK

Everything you need to know about cyberattacks (but were afraid to ask)

From communication to recovery times, Patrick Bailey provides an insider’s guide to dealing with the havoc wrought by cyberattacks, based on first-hand experience

Patrick Bailey

London South Bank University

Balancing student data collection and privacy protection

Increased scrutiny of universities as keepers of valuable data means institutions need to be well versed in data protection responsibilities. Andy Phippen offers key aspects to consider

Andy Phippen

Bournemouth University

Image representing a cyber security attack to illustrate advice on how to mitigate such risks

How to prepare and protect your institution against a future cybersecurity attack

It’s not a matter of if your institution will be hit by a cyberattack but when. Adrian Ellison shares some key actions for universities to better prepare for the inevitable

Adrian Ellison

University of West London

Supporting cybersecurity literacy for workforce-ready graduates

Employers need a cybersecurity-literate workforce, and higher education could play a valuable role in filling the gap

Steven Furnell

University of Nottingham

Ransomware and other online dangers can be utilised by hackers to attack universities if they do not have their cybersecurity sorted

Cybersecurity in the HE sector – getting the basics right

Managing security updates, vulnerability reviews, password policies and multi-factor authentication are staple university needs, says Clive Madders

Clive Madders

Cyber Tec Security

Cybersecurity is getting better at universities but they all need to do more

Cybersecurity remains a critical issue that universities must face

Statistics show that universities are getting better at defending against and preparing for cyberattacks, but much more needs to be done, says Heidi Fraser-Krauss

Heidi Fraser-Krauss

Jisc

A computer lover embraces his machine. But cybersecurity is not just for the geeks in the IT department.

Cybersecurity is not just for the geeks in the IT department

Our first-year university students might have received no education on cybersecurity since the age of 13, say Andy Phippen and Emma Bond

Andy Phippen, Emma Bond

Bournemouth University, University of Suffolk

Guidance on ensuring the cybersecurity of your online teaching and ed-tech

Cybersecurity in online learning

Mohammed Rehman explains what steps universities should take to educate staff and students about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves when teaching and learning online

Mohammed Rehman

Arden University

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