In an era where higher education is experiencing increased cyberattacks and smarter cyberthreats, colleges and universities must do all that they can to safeguard sensitive data and ensure the privacy of their constituents. While the evolving cybersecurity landscape may seem daunting, adopting fundamental strategies can significantly bolster your school’s resilience against cyberattacks. As a bonus, schools may experience lower insurance premiums by showing commitment to cybersecurity, implementing comprehensive measures, and complying with relevant regulations.

Here are three basic higher education cybersecurity strategies every institution should prioritize:

1. Stop cybersecurity attacks before they happen: Invest in early threat detection and monitoring

Stopping threats before they occur is the best-case scenario. Threat-detection tools, such as data loss–prevention software, can analyze the security ecosystem and quickly identify malicious activity and enact mitigation efforts. These tools allow institutions to detect threats in real-time and stop breaches before they occur.

Education is a powerful and essential to counteract cyberthreats. Enable students and staff to recognize, avoid and report an attack by offering regular awareness training that promotes cybersecurity best practices for schools. They should be made aware of common cyberattacks, such as:

• Ransomware Attack: Paralyzing a victim’s systems or threatening to steal, block or publish a victim’s data unless a ransom is paid.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC): Emails that impersonate senior leadership and ask for tasks to be carried out that would reveal sensitive information or transfer funds.
• Phishing: Using electronic communications to deceive and take advantage of users, often beginning with an email attempting to obtain sensitive information by persuading a user to click on a malicious link or download an infected attachment.
• Spear Phishing: Infiltrating an organization to steal sensitive information through a targeted type of phishing. Attackers will often gather personal information about their victims via social media profiles to write emails with more authentic context.
• Spoofing: Committing malicious acts by disguising oneself as a person, business or entity the victim is familiar with to get them to freely provide information.

Students and staff should also be educated in proper data-handling practices and physical security measures for various technologies. By creating a culture that values cybersecurity, schools can empower active contributions to defend against cyberthreats.

“The most significant new risk in higher ed is the bad guys’ use of AI to develop and launch more targeted and believable phishing campaigns. Phishing is still a top method of compromising users, but with the added power of AI, it can be easier, quicker, and more effective than ever. User training has to shift to meet the challenge,” said Nairn.

The recent changes to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act’s safeguard rules require universities and colleges to take a proactive approach to student financial record-keeping and cybersecurity. Remaining compliant with these regulations and reporting requirements is essential to securing funding. That begins with a well-documented IT security policy that sets standards of behavior for the digital activities of faculty, staff, and students.

Your policy should define common cyberattacks, outline systems to guard data, assign roles and responsibilities, and be regularly updated as new regulations and threats emerge. Artificial intelligence (AI), though somewhat underdeveloped, should have a place in your IT security policy that outlines how to reduce the cybersecurity risks of AI, such as avoiding sharing sensitive data with AI and building a strong AI incident-response procedure.

Collegis can also help with a cybersecurity risk assessment. Contact us to learn more.

With cyberattacks on the rise, higher education institutions must move beyond reactive security measures and foster a cybersecure culture that protects students, faculty, and institutional data. A strong cybersecurity strategy isn’t just about technology — it’s about people, processes, and awareness.

Our latest infographic outlines key actions colleges and universities can take to build a proactive security mindset across their campuses.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), established in 1999 under the purview of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has long governed the safeguarding of sensitive information within financial institutions. Although not initially focused on educational contexts, the GLBA has more recently shifted into the spotlight of higher education governance.

Here we’ll dissect and analyze the critical elements of the GLBA and its Safeguards Rule, focusing on how they impact the collection, storage and use of student financial records in colleges and universities.

Within the last four years, the impact of the GLBA has been increasingly felt in higher education institutions. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) ratcheted up this focus when it released its Compliance Supplement in July 2019, incorporating a new audit objective to assess institutional compliance with the Safeguards Rule.

The average cost of a single cybersecurity breach in higher education now $3.65 million.

Given recent high-profile examples, like the potentially disastrous MOVEit attacks in which Colorado State was among 600 organizations affected by a widespread and well-coordinated ransomware campaign, this added focus on safeguarding student financial records isn’t surprising. With the average cost of a single cybersecurity breach in higher education now at $3.65 million (as of March 2023), your responsibilities to protect student data and your institution’s financial future are greater than ever.

In December 2021, the FTC enacted a revision of its Safeguards Rule, with some provisions effective on June 9, 2023. The education sector should note that the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General has indicated that these revisions may be included in future OMB Compliance Supplements and would be subject to the single audit/federal awards program audit. With federal funding on the line, remaining compliant with these regulations and reporting requirements is essential.

The revisions in the Safeguards Rule cover a myriad of points ranging from risk assessments to personnel responsibilities. Here is a breakdown:

Old Rule: Designate employee(s) for information security coordination.

New Rule: A qualified individual must be designated to manage and enforce the information security program. Even if a service provider or affiliate meets this requirement, the institution itself retains responsibility for compliance and oversight.

Old Rule: A risk assessment addressing three required areas was mandatory.

New Rule: Institutions must now conduct a written, periodically updated risk assessment that considers both internal and external threats, incorporating a more robust set of evaluation criteria.

Old Rule: Identify safeguards for each risk.

New Rule: Besides identifying safeguards, institutions now have to embrace a more complex set of data protection measures, such as multifactor authentication, secure disposal, and annual penetration testing.

Understanding and implementing these changes is crucial for educational institutions to not only ensure compliance but also safeguard student data. These new changes necessitate a reevaluation of existing information security programs and may require the allocation of additional resources, including expert personnel and advanced cybersecurity tools.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act’s evolving role in higher education, particularly with the recent changes to the Safeguards Rule, calls for universities and colleges to be proactive rather than reactive in the domain of student financial record-keeping and cybersecurity.

Collegis Education can help your institution achieve and maintain GLBA compliance with comprehensive solutions tailored to your unique needs. Our team of experts is well-versed in the latest best practices and can guide you through the intricacies of the Safeguards Rule and other compliance requirements. Reach out to us today to discuss your needs and take the first step toward safeguarding your institution’s future.

The Collegis Impact 

Measurable Savings, Stronger Infrastructure, and Exceptional User Satisfaction

SFU’s roadmap execution delivered clear, quantifiable outcomes:

• 14% reduction in the university’s IT budget, enabling reinvestment in strategic upgrades
• 96.3 average Net Promoter Score for help desk satisfaction (six-month average)
• Major infrastructure upgrades completed, improving security, connectivity, and system reliability
• Seamless transition to remote and hybrid operations supported by a stabilized, scalable IT environment

The partnership didn’t just modernize systems. It strengthened institutional confidence in technology as a strategic enabler.

The Takeaway

Stabilize First. Standardize Second. Transform with Intention.

Digital transformation requires more than isolated upgrades. It demands governance, leadership, and a clear roadmap aligned to institutional goals. Saint Francis University’s partnership with Collegis demonstrates how structured planning and strategic IT management reduce risk, improve efficiency, and create a foundation for long-term growth.

Build a Technology Foundation Designed for What’s Next

If your institution is navigating aging infrastructure, inconsistent systems, or stalled modernization efforts, it’s time for a strategic roadmap. Collegis partners with colleges and universities to stabilize operations, standardize environments, and transform IT into a catalyst for institutional growth. Learn more about our Managed IT Services.