You can trace the modern education system back to the High Middle Ages when the Roman Catholic Church monasteries were the center of education. During those times, these schools imparted knowledge based on religious values. But today, education is more than just religion. Today, schools and universities go hand in hand with technology, and one relies on the other for any advancements. Technology serving as a base, distance education, and e-learning are not just ideas but a reality today. These new and advanced learning methods allow students to learn from any part of the world.
Yet, technology has exposed modern education to new, challenging threats that pose a danger to educators and students alike.
Modern Education sector: Challenges
Security
K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center formulated a report stating that data breaches and ransomware attacks on schools and colleges in the USA are three times more than what was deduced in 2018. Perhaps, the reason why fraudsters and cyber attackers target the education sector is the easy availability of personal data that schools and colleges maintain. These personal data are about their students and staff that sell online in millions.
Scarce IT resources
While some educational institutes empower themselves with IT resources to fight against cyberattacks, others lack both funds and manpower to shield themselves.
Ever-changing student lifecycle
An education institute is a microcosm where a student’s role keeps evolving with time. Students progress to the following standard where some undertake special duties. Due to the situation, an education institute needs to keep up and verify new identities and roles.
Cybersecurity threats that bother the education sector
- Social engineering attacks, including phishing, are rising year after year.
- Ransomware attacks are the second most significant threat. Fraudsters infect systems and data files via malicious software.
- Spoofing is on the rise as well. Criminals impersonate a person to gain access to secure educational networks and infect them. Email spoofing and called ID spoofing, are its common types.
- Password hijack is a typical cyberattack where attackers gain access to a user’s login credentials.
- Phishing is a type of cyberattack where the criminal tricks victims into revealing their sensitive data like financial information, personal address, etc.
Need of identity verification in the education sector
Identity verification can help the education sector in several ways, namely:
Real-time identity verification
When educational institutes install identity verification tools, they can quickly verify students and staff in real-time and reduce ID theft risks. iDenfy has more information for you.
Local and national laws compliance
Without faster, secure, and practical identity verification solutions, schools and universities can comply with local and national identity verification laws.
Reputation management
Without a proper identity verification system in place, the reputation of schools and colleges can take a severe hit. Today, students and parents are becoming more aware of the need for cybersecurity and identity theft. Hence, educational institutes need an identity verification for online and offline reputation management.
Concluding note
Today, with technology becoming an integral part of education, cybersecurity is a priority. And identity verification can help educational institutes to fight back and safeguard their students and staff while maintaining compliance and reputation. iDenfy offers advanced identity verification solutions that serve both small schools and prominent universities. Identity verification is a necessity today.
