Cybercrimes are increasing day by day, and the most vulnerable target of theft actors is the education sector. Schools and colleges don’t have enough resources to take protective measures and create a perfect cybersecurity plan. The IT teams in the education sector are not qualified enough for cybersecurity, and the funding is too low to solve this problem.

This is the mean reason why almost 3 million records containing the personal information of students are stolen every year. Not just data theft, but cybercriminals also take over schools’ websites and demand huge ransomware in return. 

Here are 5 effective tips for schools and colleges with limited resources to protect themselves from cybercrimes:

Spread Awareness Among Students and Faculty

Hiring a cybersecurity team is not the only measure schools can take to protect themselves. The most important step is to educate the staff, students, and faculty about cybersecurity and its importance. Make a full-fledged cybersecurity plan and set rules for every individual in the organization. Moreover, make sure the plan includes how students and faculty should use the WiFi inside the premises. Most importantly, try to conduct frequent workshops to make individuals understand common cybercrime threats and phishing emails. 

Invest in Additional Layers of Security

The most common mistake educational institutes make is not opting for antivirus software and tools. Well, this is where they go wrong. Because even antivirus software alone is not enough – there should be additional layers of security like firewalls, anti-malware software, patching software, and secure gateways. These additional layers of security will keep the data protected even if one layer is compromised. 

Patch Management

Investing in anti-virus and anti-malware software is one thing, but keeping them updated is another essential factor. This is where patch management systems come to the rescue. They ensure that the software you are currently using has no vulnerabilities and remind you to update them when needed. 

Keep Backups

The next important thing educational institutes should do is always keep a backup of all the stored information. If you back up your data you can easily recover it in case a hacker gains access to your device and destroys the data. You can also use any backup or data recovery software to ensure that your information is kept safe and you can recover it whenever you lose access to it. 

Constant Monitoring

In the end, constantly monitoring the data can help IT teams keep a close eye on what’s happening inside the network. Doing this will also help them identify the vulnerabilities in time and take preventive measures to avoid serious consequences. 

We hope you find the above-mentioned tips fruitful. If you are still unsure, there is no harm in consulting cybersecurity specialists to ensure your network is safe from potential attacks. The increasing number of Cybercrimes in educational sectors is alarming; it is high time for institutes to start taking protectives. Better safe than sorry!