There has been a shift from traditional classrooms to online learning environments, such as e-books and interactive platforms, since Singapore embraced technology as an essential part of education in 2020. This transition has made online learning a more permanent and widespread approach to education, but it has also introduced vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit and increased the risk of regulatory non-compliance.
As schools increasingly adopt digital learning tools, they become attractive targets for cyberattackers, making cybersecurity measures essential to prevent potential breaches. In 2023, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) observed 70,200 infected systems in Singapore. Its analysis found that many systems were compromised by outdated malware, which could have been easily detected by antivirus software. Unfortunately, educational institutions — accountable to local governments, communities, and students — face immense stress when targeted by ransomware. These institutions have a responsibility to remain operational and continue serving their communities, which often results in victims being under significant pressure to make payments.
A framework called identity governance and administration (IGA) can assist educational institutions in keeping an eye on user identities and making sure only the appropriate users are allowed to access resources. With the help of an IGA solution, organisations can provide seamless resource access, manage various user groups, and protect important data. Let’s look at the reasons why cybersecurity is so crucial.
Why IGA is necessary
According to IDC, security expenditure in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8% over the next five years, totalling US$52 billion by 2027. As more people and organisations rely on digital systems, the risk of cyberattacks also rises, emphasising the need to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure from these threats.
A recent cyberattack on a Singaporean network that oversees iPads provided by schools affected tens of thousands of pupils’ lessons, which were interrupted by the intrusion. The breach impacted 13,000 students and users, leading to the loss of important data and significant disruptions to learning.
Making sure your data is safe
Increasingly, academic institutions are evaluating their cybersecurity policies and taking concrete steps to reinforce the defences that protect student data while maintaining privacy.
Educational institutions handle and preserve sensitive data, such as financial, personal, and student information. Unauthorised access to this type of data could lead to security flaws, privacy violations, and other issues. Moreover, safeguarding this data is necessary to ensure adherence to several regulations.
Educational institutions usually have a diverse user base that includes parents as well as employees, teachers, and students. Each of these user groups requires different access permissions to data and resources. Managing individuals and their varying levels of access manually can be difficult, time-consuming, and prone to mistakes.
By implementing role-based access control, educational institutions can ensure that only authorised personnel have access to such sensitive material. Employees with specific permissions can be assigned bespoke roles, such as teachers, administrators, or IT support. This automatically provides them with the access they need while enabling institutions to keep an eye on the permissions granted to other individuals and groups within the school.
Compliance and reporting
Like any other industry, the education sector is subject to several regulations, such as the Personal Data Protection Act and the Private Education Act 2009. By adopting robust identity governance practices, educational institutions can prevent data breaches and safeguard their networks against assaults. Such practices enhance security, support compliance, and simplify user management while reducing the burden on IT teams.
Using modern technology for data protection
As education increasingly relies on online learning and digital interaction, organisations must step up their cybersecurity measures simultaneously. The education sector is more vulnerable to attacks, making enterprise-level security against these threats essential. By combining effective technologies with cross-unit coordination, educational institutions can more accurately detect possible cybersecurity risks and strengthen their resilience against cyberattacks.
