Colleges and universities face rising cyber threats but often lack resources to defend against them. Experts from top organizations share practical steps to build a culture of security and resilience in higher education.
Colleges and universities are facing an increasingly complex and dangerous cyber threat environment. From ransomware and data theft to nation-state attacks targeting research and intellectual property, the higher education sector has become a prime target. Yet, amid this growing threat, experts agree that cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge; it’s a cultural one.
During a recent panel discussion hosted by the National Student Clearinghouse, experts the Cyber Readiness Institute, Microsoft, and the Institute for Security + Technology, explored what it means to build a cyber-ready campus and how institutions can strengthen their defenses despite limited resources. The session brought together leaders from across education and cybersecurity to share practical strategies, focusing on people, processes, and habits that build resilience over time.
Cyber Readiness Starts with People, Not Tools
Panelists agreed that cyber readiness is a behavior, not a technical tool. True cyber readiness depends on embedding secure behaviors across the institution, among faculty, staff, and students alike. “Technology can only take you so far; human behavior remains the front line of defense,” one expert noted.
The foundation of a cyber-ready culture lies in daily habits: using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), updating software regularly, and learning to recognize phishing attempts. Cyber awareness training isn’t just a compliance exercise; it’s an opportunity to empower people to make smarter decisions. Small, consistent actions–such as reporting suspicious emails or securing sensitive files–build a collective culture of resilience.
Why Higher Education Is a Prime Target
The education sector’s open, collaborative environment makes it particularly vulnerable. Attackers view colleges and universities as “target-rich and resource-poor.” Institutions hold valuable data—student records, financial information, and groundbreaking research, but often lack the staff and funding to fully secure it.
Unlike heavily regulated industries such as finance, security across higher education is inconsistent. Some universities have robust cybersecurity programs, while others are doing the best they can with minimal resources. This unevenness makes it easy for cybercriminals to cast a wide net, exploiting weaker systems to gain access to sensitive information.
In addition to opportunistic attacks like ransomware, higher education institutions are now frequent targets of nation-state threat actors. These adversaries seek access to intellectual property, scientific research, and even policy-related insights that can influence government decision-making. As one panelist noted, “Higher education isn’t just a target of cyber criminals; it’s a target of geopolitics.”
Leadership, Governance, and Risk Management
To address these challenges, institutions must treat cybersecurity as a governance and risk management issue, not just an IT concern. Cyber readiness requires leadership from the top and engagement across the entire organization. Panelists encouraged schools to designate a cyber leader, someone empowered to take a risk-based approach and focus on actions that have the greatest impact.
Instead of striving for perfect protection (an impossible goal), universities should prioritize the basics: enforcing MFA, ensuring systems are patched, and defining clear policies for data management and third-party relationships. “It’s not about eliminating risk; it’s about managing it intelligently,” said one participant.
Data minimization is another key area. Institutions should retain only the data they truly need and store it securely, ideally in environments that are disconnected from the internet. Regularly reviewing third-party vendor security practices is also critical, given that many breaches originate through external partners.
Collaboration Across Campus
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was collaboration. Cybersecurity cannot be confined to the IT department; it must involve faculty, staff, administrators, and students. Panelists urged academic and IT teams to communicate proactively, not just after a breach occurs. Building relationships before an incident fosters trust, speeds response times, and improves outcomes when something does go wrong.
When addressing employees who resist security measures, panelists advised empathy and engagement. Understanding how faculty and staff use technology helps cybersecurity teams design practical solutions that don’t interfere with teaching and research. As one expert put it, “Security works best when people feel like partners, not obstacles.”
One additional takeaway related to the potential conflicts organizations face when competing operational priorities collide with security needs. For example, a school may prohibit the use of cell phones in certain settings, while those same phones are required for multi-factor authentication (MFA). The key lesson: open communication and establishing common ground are essential to achieving security objectives despite such competing priorities. By working collaboratively to find balanced solutions, institutions can strengthen both security and user experience.
Preparing for the Inevitable
Panelists emphasized the importance of incident response planning. Every institution should assume a cyber incident will happen and prepare accordingly. That includes defining clear roles for IT, communications, legal, and executive teams; keeping offline copies of incident response plans and contact lists; and conducting regular tabletop exercises to test readiness.
Institutions were also encouraged to make the most of the tools they already have. Many universities use only a fraction of the built-in security features available in platforms like Microsoft or Salesforce. Leveraging these existing protections can enhance security without additional cost.
The Role of AI and the Future of Cyber Readiness
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming cybersecurity. AI tools can help detect and respond to attacks faster, reduce “alert fatigue,” and compensate for staffing shortages. However, panelists cautioned that AI cannot replace human judgment. Ethical decision-making, contextual understanding, and accountability still depend on people. The future of cybersecurity, they agreed, is AI-assisted but human-led.
Focus on the Core Four
Experts from the Cyber Readiness Institute closed the discussion by highlighting the Core Four behaviors that build a strong foundation for any institution:
These measures cost little but can dramatically reduce risk when practiced consistently across campus.
Building a Culture of Resilience
Ultimately, a cyber-ready campus is one where cybersecurity is woven into everyday operations. It’s not just about technology. It’s about people, processes, and leadership working together to create a secure, resilient environment for learning and research.
Every institution, regardless of size or resources, can take meaningful steps toward cyber readiness. As one panelist reminded the audience, “Every action counts. Start small, focus on the basics, and build from there.”
