Cyber-attacks are growing steadily in number, strength and variety, with a shocking 83% of UK schools having experienced at least one cybersecurity incident. This statistic is disturbing, but it becomes increasingly concerning with the realisation that 98% of schools use antivirus software and 99% have some sort of firewall protection; these security efforts are failing. Highly experienced hackers can mimic legitimate user actions and operate under the radar, successfully infiltrating schools and universities. This begs the question – what if you could see through the eyes of the attacker?
myAko, a learning management system, has partnered with the Boxphish Group to create a tailored cybersecurity awareness and attack simulation platform to better protect schools’ data. Simulations are a game-changer; they allow schools to run exhaustive scenarios, exposing vulnerabilities and compromised assets. In turn, they can ensure their devices are more effectively protected.
Since 97% of schools have claimed that losing access to network-connected IT services would cause considerable disruption, and 64% of IT professionals in the education sector don’t believe their current security measures would sufficiently deal with breaches, schools really can’t afford to be unaware of the convincing, elaborate and complicated cyber-attacks that may put their data, and even the wellbeing of their pupils, at risk.
What is a cyber-attack simulation?
As a result of schools moving online throughout the pandemic, exposure to cyber-attacks is now higher than ever. Schools have experienced a record surge in cyber-attacks throughout this difficult period, forcing the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to put out alerts, warning institutions of these threats. With staff working from home, schools’ defense networks became much weaker, meaning malware could access their systems with ease.
In order to counteract these growing threats, schools can run cyber-attack simulations to prepare for any potential data breaches. These simulations attempt to expose both known and unknown vulnerabilities in their networks, emulating the pressure that they would face should they encounter a real attack.
How do they work?
There are three main stages in implementing an effective cyber-attack simulation. Firstly, those spearheading the simulation will conduct reconnaissance surrounding the school’s network, identifying potential targets, including financial data, students’ information and exam results, for example. Once this information has been collected, multiple cyber-attacks will be launched in an attempt to access this data, exploiting any vulnerabilities that have been identified. The aim is to test all aspects of the network’s security using AI-incorporated, sophisticated attacks. This will identify the paths hackers might take should they gain access to the school’s network.
Once the simulation has been completed, a detailed report will be fed back to the recipient, explaining what data the simulation was able to access and how it was accessed, whilst sharing proactive solutions to prevent any genuine hackers from accessing the school’s network moving forward.
How can a cyber-attack simulation protect a school’s data?
Many may be surprised to find that a whopping 95% of cyber-attacks are a result of human error; this includes anything from passwords being leaked to accidentally downloaded malware. By educating staff and students alike, showing them how they can maintain the security of their school’s network, the frequency and severity of cyber-attacks can be reduced significantly. Implementing a Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) means that these human error variables – such as simple inexperience – are eliminated.
By educating staff and students alike, showing them how they can maintain the security of their school’s network, the frequency and severity of cyber-attacks can be reduced significantly
Different simulations provide different levels of security for schools. For example, if the school implemented ‘penetration testing’ or ‘red and blue teaming’, new vulnerabilities may arise that were undetected during the initial test. These simulations are manually conducted, meaning devices can be exploited after the tests have been completed. BAS simulations, however, are designed to run 24/7, all year round, leaving no gaps for real hackers to exploit.
Through the use of BAS, schools are given full visibility surrounding what areas of their networks are vulnerable to attacks and helpful solutions to prevent them altogether. Once these areas have been identified, technology – such as MFA, stronger firewalls or reviewed access control – can be implemented to protect the school’s data should they be attacked in the future. Without these systems in place, schools would be left vulnerable to information blackmail, with hackers attempting to extort money in exchange for private information – typically in the form of cryptocurrency.
Cyber-attack simulations play an essential role in protecting the confidentiality of any school’s data, by simulating like-minded attacks in order to exploit any potential vulnerabilities in their security. By implementing an automated protection system, schools can enact a much stronger approach in the face of cyber-attacks, using their data to their own advantage.
You might also like: Will edtech use limit cyberbullying in schools?
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How a cyber-attack simulation could save your school’s data
Nick Deaon Elliot
Cyber-attacks are growing steadily in number, strength and variety, with a shocking 83% of UK schools having experienced at least one cybersecurity incident. This statistic is disturbing, but it becomes increasingly concerning with the realisation that 98% of schools use antivirus software and 99% have some sort of firewall protection; these security efforts are failing. Highly experienced hackers can mimic legitimate user actions and operate under the radar, successfully infiltrating schools and universities. This begs the question – what if you could see through the eyes of the attacker?
myAko, a learning management system, has partnered with the Boxphish Group to create a tailored cybersecurity awareness and attack simulation platform to better protect schools’ data. Simulations are a game-changer; they allow schools to run exhaustive scenarios, exposing vulnerabilities and compromised assets. In turn, they can ensure their devices are more effectively protected.
Since 97% of schools have claimed that losing access to network-connected IT services would cause considerable disruption, and 64% of IT professionals in the education sector don’t believe their current security measures would sufficiently deal with breaches, schools really can’t afford to be unaware of the convincing, elaborate and complicated cyber-attacks that may put their data, and even the wellbeing of their pupils, at risk.
What is a cyber-attack simulation?
As a result of schools moving online throughout the pandemic, exposure to cyber-attacks is now higher than ever. Schools have experienced a record surge in cyber-attacks throughout this difficult period, forcing the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to put out alerts, warning institutions of these threats. With staff working from home, schools’ defense networks became much weaker, meaning malware could access their systems with ease.
In order to counteract these growing threats, schools can run cyber-attack simulations to prepare for any potential data breaches. These simulations attempt to expose both known and unknown vulnerabilities in their networks, emulating the pressure that they would face should they encounter a real attack.
How do they work?
There are three main stages in implementing an effective cyber-attack simulation. Firstly, those spearheading the simulation will conduct reconnaissance surrounding the school’s network, identifying potential targets, including financial data, students’ information and exam results, for example. Once this information has been collected, multiple cyber-attacks will be launched in an attempt to access this data, exploiting any vulnerabilities that have been identified. The aim is to test all aspects of the network’s security using AI-incorporated, sophisticated attacks. This will identify the paths hackers might take should they gain access to the school’s network.
Once the simulation has been completed, a detailed report will be fed back to the recipient, explaining what data the simulation was able to access and how it was accessed, whilst sharing proactive solutions to prevent any genuine hackers from accessing the school’s network moving forward.
How can a cyber-attack simulation protect a school’s data?
Many may be surprised to find that a whopping 95% of cyber-attacks are a result of human error; this includes anything from passwords being leaked to accidentally downloaded malware. By educating staff and students alike, showing them how they can maintain the security of their school’s network, the frequency and severity of cyber-attacks can be reduced significantly. Implementing a Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) means that these human error variables – such as simple inexperience – are eliminated.
Different simulations provide different levels of security for schools. For example, if the school implemented ‘penetration testing’ or ‘red and blue teaming’, new vulnerabilities may arise that were undetected during the initial test. These simulations are manually conducted, meaning devices can be exploited after the tests have been completed. BAS simulations, however, are designed to run 24/7, all year round, leaving no gaps for real hackers to exploit.
Through the use of BAS, schools are given full visibility surrounding what areas of their networks are vulnerable to attacks and helpful solutions to prevent them altogether. Once these areas have been identified, technology – such as MFA, stronger firewalls or reviewed access control – can be implemented to protect the school’s data should they be attacked in the future. Without these systems in place, schools would be left vulnerable to information blackmail, with hackers attempting to extort money in exchange for private information – typically in the form of cryptocurrency.
Cyber-attack simulations play an essential role in protecting the confidentiality of any school’s data, by simulating like-minded attacks in order to exploit any potential vulnerabilities in their security. By implementing an automated protection system, schools can enact a much stronger approach in the face of cyber-attacks, using their data to their own advantage.
You might also like: Will edtech use limit cyberbullying in schools?
Advertisement / Google
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