In the initial week of December this year, over 45 schools in Bangalore found themselves grappling with a distressing situation as emails circulated, alarming authorities about purportedly planted bombs within school premises. Swift police intervention, however, revealed these claims to be false, prompting the city’s cybercrime branch to initiate investigations into the perpetrators. This unsettling incident underscores the ease with which certain individuals can sow chaos and disrupt societal harmony, instigating widespread panic. This alarming scenario serves as a poignant introduction to the pressing need for robust cybersecurity measures within the realm of education.
Ensuring cybersecurity is indispensable within any business domain, particularly in the field of education. Cyberattacks pose threats not only to the safety of educators and administrative staff but also jeopardize the privacy of students, especially those in pre-school to high school. With millions of students now engaging in technology-driven learning, whether in hybrid, remote, or in-class setups, securing their devices becomes paramount for an optimal learning experience and the effectiveness of educators’ work.
Educational institutions are collecting and storing vast amounts of student data, including personal information, parents’ information, academic records, and financial details. This data is a prime target for cybercriminals, who can use it for identity theft, fraud, or even blackmail. Thus, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for educational institutions in India and the need for robust cybersecurity measures in education is becoming increasingly evident due to several factors.
One, the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks have been steadily increasing, making educational institutions more vulnerable to data breaches. Secondly, the widespread adoption of online learning platforms and educational technologies has created a larger digital footprint for educational institutions, expanding the potential attack surface. Since educational institutions store a wealth of sensitive student data, it makes them an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to exploit this information.
According to a recent report by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), the education sector in India has witnessed a significant rise in cyberattacks in recent years. In 2022 alone, CERT-In reported over 10,000 cyberattacks targeting educational institutions, primarily involving phishing attacks, malware infections, and ransomware attacks. These attacks have resulted in data breaches, financial losses, and disruptions to educational activities.
Educational institutions must implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures to protect student data. From implementing strict access control mechanisms to restricting access to sensitive data to authorized personnel only, or encrypting sensitive data at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access. Systems and networks must be scanned regularly for vulnerabilities and promptly apply patches to address them.
What’s equally important is to educate staff, students, and parents about cybersecurity threats and best practices to minimize risks.
The government has taken several initiatives to strengthen cybersecurity in education, including:
The National Policy on Education (NEP) 2020: The NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity education and promotes the integration of cybersecurity concepts into school curricula.
The Cyber Safety and Hygiene Awareness Network (CSHAN): The CSHAN is a government initiative to raise cybersecurity awareness among students, teachers, and parents through workshops, training programs, and online resources.
The Cyber Surakshit Bharat Mission: The Cyber Surakshit Bharat Mission aims to enhance India’s cybersecurity capabilities, including measures specifically focused on the education sector.
In countries like India with a burgeoning population, the significance of prioritizing cybersecurity in education, specifically safeguarding student data, cannot be overstated. The sheer scale of educational institutions, accommodating millions of students, underscores the vast repository of sensitive information vulnerable to cyber threats. A breach in cybersecurity not only compromises the personal data and privacy of countless students but also poses a systemic risk to the entire educational infrastructure.
Therefore, a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity is not just a necessity but an ethical responsibility to safeguard the aspirations and educational journey of millions in a densely populated country like India.
By- Abhishek Agarwal, President of Judge India & Global Delivery, The Judge Group
