Tag Archive for: higher

FBI reports rise in cybercrimes against higher ed targets; employees must remain vigilant to protect WVU credentials | E-News

/in


A recent FBI report on an uptick in cybercrimes in the higher education sector is a reminder to all employees that protecting University systems and data is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play. While WVU has taken many steps to secure networks, computers and data, the threats are constantly changing, and faculty and staff must remain vigilant.

Here are some ways you can help defend WVU’s data:

  • Never use your WVU Login username and/or password on non-WVU sites. When those credentials are stolen from Netflix or Facebook, cybercriminals can use them to open a door into WVU systems.

  • Secure your WVU Login password. Don’t share it with anyone or write it down for someone to find.

  • Use a strong password or phrase. Ten characters is good, 12 even better. Use these tips to create strong passwords.

  • Be skeptical. Receive a suspicious-looking email? Don’t reply or click any links. Use the Report Message button in Outlook email or forward it as an attachment to [email protected].

WVU has already implemented many of the FBI’s recommended security measures to secure networks, computers and data, including: implementing two-factor authentication systemwide; limiting remote access to WVU systems, devices and data; enabling remote, automatic security updates to all WVU-owned and -managed computers; training and conducting phishing simulations; restricting access for people with administrative privileges on databases and servers; and segmenting networks to prevent unauthorized access.

“Security-related changes to the way WVU works are just part of the modern reality,” says Interim Chief Information Officer Brice Knotts. “Research universities like ours are data-rich targets for bad guys, and the threats are relentless and constantly changing. We need to be proactive in addressing them.”

That’s why developing a comprehensive, long-range Information Security Strategy is one of the foundational projects in the WVU Modernization Program,” Knotts said.

According to the report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), Russian cybercriminals in January 2022 sold or shared public access to college and university networks across the…

Source…

Indian Army signs MOU with Rashtriya Raksha University for research, higher education

/in


During a brief ceremony conducted at Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), Gandhinagar on Tuesday, the Indian Army entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) to synergise innovations, research, technology incubation, joint projects, publication and patents, training, higher learning and distance education in the Army. Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) is an institute of national importance established under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India. RRU is committed to identify, prepare and sustain statecraft of national, strategic and security culture through continuous enhancement and development of innovation, education, research and training cadres from the security, military and civilian society.

COAS General MM Naravane addressed the gathering through virtual platform in which he emphasised that signing of this MoU is a pathbreaking initiative towards enhancing the interaction of Indian Army with academia. Army Chief highlighted that the demands of future warfare mandates Indian Army officers and men to be educated in niche domains of warfare to include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Cyberwarfare, robotics, and aerospace that have potential military applications and a disruptive impact on modern-day warfare. The event was presided over by Lt Gen Raj Shukla, GOC-in-C Army Training Command. He stressed that this is a step towards strengthening the linkages between academia and the Indian Military. He laid specific emphasis on ‘Civil-Military Relations’, and expounded multifaceted aspects pertaining to mutual cooperation.

Prof. Bimal N. Patel, Vice-Chancellor, RRU underlined that RRU is a model for security of India and an institute of national importance. The university will focus on meeting specific requirements of Indian Army in emerging and contemporary technologies in the field of Artificial Intelligence, disruptive military technologies, cyber and information warfare, aerospace capabilities and will provide certification for the institutionalized training undertaken at this institute. ‘Chanakya’ a biannual publication of RRU on National Security was also launched during the event. The landmark MoU will…

Source…

Firms with exposed IoT have a higher concentration of other security problems

/in


Exposed enterprise IoT devices can be an indicator of security issues to come, with firms sporting exposed devices having a 62% higher density of other security problems, new research shows.

For example, companies with exposed IoT are more than 50% more likely to have email security issues, according to a new report and blog post from the Cyentia Institute and RiskRecon.

But what does that correlation mean for chief information security officers? SC Media spoket o Kelly White, RiskRecon founder and CEO, to find out.

Is it surprising that there’s a correlation between something like IoT exposure and other security issues?

This is something we see time and time again: Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. The data shows that smaller indicators of cybersecurity risk performance, particularly on the negative side are strong indicators of larger problems. And that’s certainly borne itself out in the IoT report where you have a 62%, greater flaw density, observable flaw density and environments where they are operating IoT devices on the internet.

We’ve had other research papers that we’ve put forward, where we see that pattern happen over and over again, whether it’s, if you’re running a MySQL server database on the internet, that’s a strong indicator of having much bigger issues. And something simple, like ‘are you running the latest TLS encryption protocol?’ That’s another indicator of larger issues.

When you say larger issues, is that just in regard to the number of problems, or do the problems actually get worse from there?

The problems get worse from there.

If you have that IoT device, what had to go wrong? Let’s say you had a printer operating on the internet. Well, a lot of things went wrong. You have systems of internal network accessible from the internet, so potentially, you’ve got internet access and firewall policy issues.

Then breaking down why those occurred, there’s much larger problems behind that that led to that occurring, aside from the fact that it’s just a bad idea. If it’s an accident, then geez, you’re not managing your environment and you don’t have effective security…

Source…

Higher Education Ministry hopes to resume in-person classes in March 2021

/in


The Higher Education Ministry has said that university students can expect to return to their campuses by early March next year.

Berita Harian reported its minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad as saying her ministry will submit a request to that effect to the National Security Council (NSC) for deliberation.

“It is still at the discussion stage. The ministry proposed March for the start of the semester, but this cannot be confirmed until the NSC agrees,” she said when contacted.

Noraini added the issue will be brought up again in the near future and an official announcement will be made once confirmed.

In preparation for the return of students, she said the ministry and universities are reinforcing all related standard operating procedures (SOP).

Among the proposed new SOPs would be special isolation areas (tempat pengasingan) for students.

“Other proposals such as hybrid classes will also be implemented to reduce risks further,” Noraini said.

Classes set to take place next month will continue online as is the current practice.

Public and private universities switched to online courses and studies following the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) in March this year. — Malay Mail

[ IMAGE SOURCE ]

Related reading

Source…