Cyber Security for Students: How Cyber Security is Changing Education
Concerns about cyber security are prevalent in just about every aspect of our national life. Whether we're shopping or conducting a financial transaction, seeking medical attention, or just engaging with friends on social media -- well, we've all heard the horror stories of what happens when you're hacked or you inadvertently give out personal information to cyber thieves in a phishing scam.
But what about you, as a student enrolled in an institution of higher learning? What does the changing landscape of cybersecurity mean to you, especially if you're considering going into the field?
If you're thinking about or have already embarked on a course of study in cybersecurity, you may want to research cybersecurity in higher education. After all, you have a personal stake in how well your institution guards your health records, your transcripts, and your financial aid information.
Privacy Laws
The U.S. Department of Education supports efforts by educational institutions involved with student financial aid information to address cybersecurity threats, and cites specifically the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act that compels the protection of student financial aid information.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records, while the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) may protect some medical records but for the most part the information pertaining to medical matters for students in higher education is protected under FERPA.
Cybersecurity in Higher Ed
Recently, education moved up into shared second place, alongside business, and behind health care at no. 1, as the industries with the most security breaches. The breaches are expensive, not only to the student whose records are hacked, but also to the institution, which bears the cost for notifying individuals, investigating the attack, remediation, credit monitoring, and legal expenses. And then there's the harm to an institution's reputation as the public loses trust in its ability to defend itself against cyber threats.
The higher education cyber environment has been described as "open, flat, and fast," meaning it's designed to be collaborative and easily accessible. That also means it is at odds with what is needed for the best data protection and security. Often, users don't have adequate security or knowledge to protect computers from malware, phishing scams, and other attacks. Further, there is usually little segmentation between systems and data, so vulnerability is increased. That said, segmentation creates a more complex system, which means network professionals with higher skills are needed -- increasing expenses and straining budgets.
Protecting Yourself
One way that institutions of higher education are learning to protect themselves is by educating students, faculty, and staff about scams. For instance, while phishing scams are common in the U.S. and most American students know to avoid them, some international students may not. Or, some students may have a lot of information about themselves available online, either through a college website or through social media. Thieves can mine this information and sometimes figure out answers to security questions.
Unfortunately, most institutions of higher learning provide very little cybersecurity training for students. To be sure, few students have access to education records and the institution's financial information, so it's not as pressing to train them as it is with faculty and staff. Further, training students -- who will be around a limited time -- is prohibitively expensive.
As you progress through your cybersecurity courses, your understanding of the threats that you and your fellow students face will increase. You may even think of ingenious new ways to protect yourself. You can also institute your own security procedures, such as avoiding emails that ask you to send a file or personal information, or creating stronger passwords and not sharing passwords.
Your Cybersecurity Education
Earning a degree in cybersecurity isn't just good for learning how to protect yourself. It's also the gateway to entering a rapidly expanding field, where experts are in growing demand.
Many professionals are self-instructed in cybersecurity, but learning your skills in a college environment has advantages. For instance, you will have access to the latest equipment, software, and other tools that you will need to become a cybersecurity professional.
Plus, you'll be able to draw on the expertise of instructors with extensive knowledge of the field. Being in a college setting offers you the chance to use the institution's resources, as well as to collaborate on projects that will expand your abilities. Furthermore, you'll have a better opportunity to network, so that when you have your degree in hand, you can more successfully navigate the employment landscape.
Earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science with a major in Cyber and Network Security could be the key for you to launch an exciting new career. Why not contact a knowledgeable admissions advisor at ECPI University today?
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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