Security & Privacy


a pyramid chart shows the types of cyber threats recorded in the first half of 2023

Higher Ed Sees Massive Spike in Encrypted Threats and CryptoJacking in First Half of 2023

Higher education institutions in the United States are experiencing a “massive spike” in encrypted threats and cryptojacking so far this year, even as ransomware and unencrypted malware attacks have slowed, according to SonicWall’s 2023 Mid-Year Cyber Threat Report.

Image is proposed logo for FCC smart device cyber trust labeling program with the words U.S. Cyber Trust Mark

FCC Proposes Voluntary Cybersecurity Labeling Program for Smart Devices

The Federal Communications Commission chairwoman has introduced a proposal to create a “voluntary cybersecurity labeling program” for smart devices, in an effort to boost transparency and protection against cyber threats in the growing Internet of Things market – a channel that cyber criminals are increasingly using to attack education institutions.

Zero-Day Exploits Dominate Malware from Web Traffic

In the first quarter of 2023, a massive 93% of detected malware from encrypted web traffic and 70% of malware from unencrypted web traffic came from zero day malware, according to a new report from WatchGuard Technologies. And 51 new ransomware variants were detected.

Report: IoT Malware Jumps 700%

ABI Research recently released a startling statistic: Malware targeting IoT devices climbed 700% during the pandemic.

Tech Tactics in Education

Data and Information Security Take the Spotlight at the Tech Tactics in Education Conference

The agenda for the 2023 Tech Tactics in Education conference has been revealed. The inaugural event will offer five tracks — two for K–12, two for higher education, and one for both — spotlighting data and IT security in the "new now."

cybersecurity

Turning a Core Competency into a Campus Culture of Cybersecurity: A Guide for Higher Ed

A new guide for higher education from Ninjio on improving cyber defense through campus-wide training offers actionable advice for institutions’ leaders on how to translate their core competency — education — into a successful cybersecurity awareness program that reduces vulnerabilities and improves security posture across the entire campus and network.

Airtame Boosts Collab with Rise Vision on Digital Signage and Emergency Alerts

Screen-casting and collaboration provider Airtame has expanded its partnership with unified communications and digital signage software developer Rise Vision to expand education institutions' ability to display emergency alerts and school messaging on Airtame-connected devices across entire campuses, according to a news release.

text reads State of Ransomware 2023 by Sophos and includes figures for recovery costs from the last three years

More IHEs Paid Ransoms in 2022, Even As Average Recovery Cost Fell, Sophos Research Finds

Nearly eight out of 10 higher ed organizations surveyed for Sophos’ 2023 State of Ransomware Report said they were hit by ransomware last year — a 23% increase from the previous year’s results — making education the most-attacked sector in 2022.

Apogee Intros Cloud and Security Professional Services for Higher Education

Managed services provider Apogee has introduced Cloud and Security Professional Services, offering expertise, tools, and processes to accelerate cloud adoption and strengthen an institution's security posture.

artificial intelligence

The Dark Side of ChatGPT: 6 Generative AI Risks to Watch

Gartner has identified six critical areas where the use of large language models such as ChatGPT can present legal or compliance risks that enterprise organizations must be aware of — or face potentially dire consequences. Organizations should consider what guardrails to put in place in order to ensure responsible use of these tools, the research firm advised.