Online Learning Update

June 30, 2021

Why Improving Diversity in Cybersecurity Is Important to Everyone

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:03 am

Danny Palmer, ZD Net

Improving diversity in the cybersecurity industry by doing more to hire people from different backgrounds can help improve online defences for everyone because it will enable information security teams to think about – and defend against – concepts and attack techniques they may not have considered before. Figures from an NCSC report on diversity detail how over 85% of professionals working in cybersecurity are white, compared to under 15% from black, Asian or mixed ethic groups. Two-thirds of the industry identifies as male, compared to 31% identifying as female, while over 84% of those surveyed identify as straight, compared with 10% who identified as LGBT. But diversity is – gradually – increasing.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/why-improving-diversity-in-cybersecurity-is-vital-for-everyone/

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June 14, 2021

New Horizon Report Forecasts Security and Privacy Trends in Higher Ed

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

EDUCAUSE recently released its first Information Security Edition of the Horizon Report, profiling important trends, technologies and practices shaping the future of IT security and privacy in higher education. Of course, cybersecurity has been a key concern in higher ed IT for years, topping the EDUCAUSE top 10 IT issues list numerous times. But the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded the risks in many ways. As EDUCAUSE President John O’Brien wrote in his introduction to the Horizon Report, “With the dramatic shift to remote work and remote learning in 2020, threats are at an all-time high.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2021/03/23/podcast-new-horizon-report-forecasts-security-and-privacy-trends-in-higher-ed.aspx

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April 17, 2021

Udacity Adds School of Cybersecurity

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

Online learning platform Udacity has launched a School of Cybersecurity, a set of nanodegree programs aimed at training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. Each program offers instructor-led sessions and hands-on projects tailored to real-world scenarios, to provide learners with practical experience, skills and resources in the field. The School of Cybersecurity curriculum currently encompasses four nanodegrees.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2021/04/02/udacity-adds-school-of-cybersecurity.aspx

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April 7, 2021

Federal Cyber Security 800-171 Compliance on the Horizon

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

Jarret Cummings, EDUCAUSE Review

A few days before Christmas last year, Federal Student Aid (FSA), an office of the US Department of Education (ED), released a notice providing a high-level overview of its cybersecurity compliance plans. FSA posted the notice with little warning or opportunity to provide feedback in advance.  The notice begins with FSA announcing its intention to establish a Campus Cybersecurity Program framework. At this point, what FSA means by a “Campus Cybersecurity Program” remains unclear, as does the role, if any, that higher education cybersecurity leaders and professionals might play in its development and application. The notice does make clear, however, that the NIST SP 800-171 controlled unclassified information (CUI) guidelines will form the foundation of the program that FSA is envisioning:

https://er.educause.edu/articles/2021/3/800-171-compliance-on-the-horizon

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March 27, 2021

This trojan malware is now your biggest security headache

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:04 am

Danny Palmer, ZD Net

Trickbot malware has risen to fill the gap left by the takedown of the Emotet botnet, with a higher number of criminals shifting towards it to distribute malware attacks. Emotet was the world’s most prolific and dangerous malware botnet before it was disrupted by an international law enforcement operation in January this year. What initially emerged as a banking trojan in 2014 went on to become much more, establishing backdoors on compromised Windows machines which were leased out to other cyber-criminal groups to conduct their own malware or ransomware campaigns.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/this-trojan-malware-is-now-your-biggest-security-headache/

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February 17, 2021

10 Years of E-learning: Nearly 22,000 Complete Courses in Nuclear Security

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

Inna Pletukhina, IAEA Department of Nuclear Safety and Security

The IAEA launched the first nuclear security e-learning course, Use of Radiation Detection Instruments for Front Line Officers, in 2010. Since then, the Agency has developed a suite of 17 nuclear security e-learning courses, which are available online at no cost. From the foundational Overview of Nuclear Security Threats and Risks to the more specific Physical Protection, Insider Threat and Information and Computer Security, the courses cover all major areas of nuclear security. These online courses are essential to the blended learning approach that combines self-paced e-learning with virtual and face-to-face classroom courses.

https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/10-years-of-e-learning-nearly-22000-complete-courses-in-nuclear-security

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January 29, 2021

Post-Riot, the Capitol Hill IT Staff Faces a Security Mess

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

Lily Hay Newman, Wired

In the aftermath of destructive riots that trashed the United States Capitol on Wednesday, the nation is grappling with questions about the stability and trajectory of US democracy. But inside the Capitol building itself, the congressional support staff is dealing with more immediate logistics, like cleanup and repairs. A crucial part of that: the process of securing the offices and digital systems after hundreds of people had unprecedented access to them. Wednesday’s insurrection could have exposed congressional data and devices in ways that have yet to be appreciated.

https://www.wired.com/story/capitol-riot-security-congress-trump-mob-clean-up/

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January 27, 2021

Cybersecurity: This ‘costly and destructive’ malware is the biggest threat to your network

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

Danny Palmer, ZD Net

A spam campaign which targeted over 100,000 users a day over Christmas and New Year has seen Emotet secure its spot as the most prolific malware threat. Analysis by cybersecurity company Check Point suggests that Emotet was used to target seven percent of organisations around the world during December. Emotet has been active since 2014 and is regularly updated by its authors in order to maintain its effectiveness. The malware started life as a banking trojan but has evolved to become much more than that, providing a complete backdoor onto compromised machines which can then be sold on to other cyber criminals to infect victims with additional malware – including ransomware.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/cybersecurity-this-costly-and-destructive-malware-is-the-most-prolific-threat-to-your-network/

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December 21, 2020

To enhance data security, federal privacy legislation is just a start

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

Robert D. Williams, Brookings Institution

In short, the United States stands to benefit in multiple ways from adopting sensible federal privacy legislation. But in a world where data privacy, digital trade, and national security are increasingly intertwined, the data governance agenda for the next administration cannot stop there.

https://www.brookings.edu/techstream/to-enhance-data-security-federal-privacy-legislation-is-just-a-start/

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November 7, 2020

The Link Between Academic Fraud and Cybersecurity Risk

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:09 am

Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

Since students have returned to school and remote learning this fall, there has been a dramatic increase in internet searches related to academic fraud — that’s according to data from Cisco Talos. In a recent blog post, the threat intelligence team detailed how essay mills operate and how academic fraud websites can lead to more serious cybersecurity threats. It’s a wild ride through falsified app reviews, shoddy workmanship and a rabbit hole of malicious activity.

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2020/10/23/podcast-the-link-between-academic-fraud-and-cybersecurity-risk.aspx

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October 20, 2020

3 Ways to Improve Online Learning Security

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

MarketScale

Over the last weeks, students, professors and caregivers alike have adjusted to the modern-day classroom – many of which consist of a full or hybrid online learning model. This virtual shift brought on by COVID-19 comes with many unique challenges, and one of the most concerning is ensuring optimal online learning security across new and emerging technologies.

https://marketscale.com/industries/education-technology/3-ways-improve-online-learning-security/

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September 10, 2020

GU Professors Teaching Classes On China Take Online Learning Precautions in Light of Possible Security Threats

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:03 am

Hansen Lian, the Hoya

Some Georgetown University professors teaching classes about China are taking precautionary measures to protect students and faculty from possible security threats during online learning in the fall. Some faculty worry lecture recordings and other technical vulnerabilities in Zoom may endanger students and instructors who criticize the Chinese government. Faculty who spoke with The Hoya are particularly concerned some sensitive course material may violate the broad and vague stipulations of the latest Chinese national security law. The law, enacted by the Chinese government June 30 in response to ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, is an open-ended prohibition of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers against the Chinese government.

https://thehoya.com/gu-professors-teaching-classes-on-china-take-online-learning-precautions-in-light-of-possible-security-threats/

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August 15, 2020

Cybersecurity experts warn of more attacks in online learning environment

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:03 am

Kristine Harrington, Arizona Family
As Arizona students settle in for a new year of online learning, cybersecurity experts warn the risk of identity and data theft has increased.] As Arizona students settle in for a new year of online learning, cybersecurity experts warn the risk of identity and data theft has increased. “Anytime there is a crisis like we have right now with the COVID-19 pandemic malicious actors will take advantage,” said Doug Levin, president of the K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center, which has tracked some 900 cyber-attacks on school districts since 20-16. “That ranges from phishing attacks, data breaches, ransomware incidents, and other sorts of things.” Levin expects to see more cybercrimes with more students attending school online.

https://www.azfamily.com/news/arizona_schools/cybersecurity-experts-warn-of-more-attacks-in-online-learning-environment/article_847afa36-d6a8-11ea-9839-a32b4471460d.html

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August 14, 2020

Balancing cybersecurity and user productivity

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

STEVEN M. BAULE, Campus Technology
Cybersecurity remains top of mind as higher-ed IT leaders navigate a new campus landscape this fall.  As we approach a fall semester that most probably is going to continue to be, at least in part, a virtual experience for many of us, there are many issues for information technology managers to consider. Cybersecurity is one of those.  Over the past few years, cybersecurity has become a prime concern at all levels of society, from small town municipalities to the development of cyberwarfare commands in all branches of the military. Passwords are quite literally the key to many IT systems.

https://www.ecampusnews.com/2020/08/04/balancing-cybersecurity-and-user-productivity/

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August 11, 2020

Ransomware: Your biggest security headache refuses to go away

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

Steve Ranger, ZDNet

Ransomware has been around for more than three decades, so it’s hardly an unexpected threat. And yet, organisations large and small are still being taken completely by surprise by the file-encrypting malware, leaving them to decide between rebuilding many of their computer systems from scratch to rid themselves of the ransomware or paying up to the crooks in the hope that they will hand over the encryption keys. So why aren’t we learning the lessons from all the companies that have already been hit by ransomware over the years? Here are a few reasons.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-why-the-internets-biggest-headache-refuses-to-go-away/

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July 25, 2020

Ensuring data security during remote and hybrid learning

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

PIYUSH PANDEY, eCampus News

Lost in the headlines is the amount of work that IT teams must do to enable remote access to HR applications for nearly all university staff and faculty. For Cal State, more than 53,000 faculty and staff need access to essential information and systems. Along with student users, in total, that is 535,000 (mostly remote) users accessing student information and HR systems from all over the world.

https://www.ecampusnews.com/2020/07/13/ensuring-data-security-during-remote-and-hybrid-learning/

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July 3, 2020

COVID-19 ushers in a new era of cybersecurity

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:10 am

BY BILL CONNER,  eCampus News

This semester, higher-ed institutions around the world have struggled to keep up with the digital demands of remote learning. As these organizations build the infrastructure that will support distance learning moving forward, it’s more critical than ever for the education industry to consider the safety and security of its students and faculty members as we look ahead to how COVID-19 will continue to impact learning institutions. College campuses have long been a target for cyber threat actors. In fact, EDUCAUSE reported that the number one IT issue academic institutions face in 2020 is adopting a sound information security strategy.

https://www.ecampusnews.com/2020/06/19/covid-19-ushers-in-a-new-era-of-cybersecurity/

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Data Security for New Norm Distance Learning

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:03 am

Santa Clarita Valley Signal

Whatever the future of distance learning, online classroom offerings will still be a draw for working adults. This survey by the Strada Education Network showed that over half the Latino and Black (52% and 54%), as well as a significant portion of Caucasians surveyed (34%), plan to enroll in online education and training programs after the pandemic passes.  In the meantime, with students spending more time on line, data security concerns are greater than ever. Students tend let their guard down in their eagerness to find information and source material for their classes and assignments.

https://signalscv.com/2020/06/data-security-for-new-norm-distance-learning/

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April 1, 2020

Don’t Get Scammed: 5 Security Tips for Work-From-Home Professionals

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

Ben Dickson, PC Week

But while working from home will reduce your chances of contracting (or spreading) coronavirus, it will expose you to new risks. Your company network usually has plenty of safeguards that provide a measure of protection against hackers and scammers. When you’re at home, you’re less protected against these threats. The first thing you should know is that you’ve just become a more valuable target. Hackers now have a bigger incentive to go after those working at home, because if successful, they’ll have access to valuable company data and resources.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/dont-get-scammed-5-security-tips-for-work-from-home-professionals

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March 28, 2020

Working from home: Cybersecurity tips for remote workers

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:05 am

Steve Ranger, ZD Net

With the rapid increase in remote working in mind, European cybersecurity agency ENISA has set out a series of recommendations for companies moving to teleworking as a result of COVID-19. ENISA said it had already seen an increase in coronavirus-related phishing attacks. The agency recommends, as far as possible, that workers try to not mix work and leisure activities on the same device and be particularly careful with any mails referencing the coronavirus. “Attackers are exploiting the situation, so look out for phishing emails and scams,” ENISA said.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/working-from-home-cybersecurity-tips-for-remote-workers/

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COVID-19: With everyone working from home, VPN security has now become paramount

Filed under: Online Learning News — Ray Schroeder @ 12:02 am

Catalin Cimpanu, ZD Net

With most employees working from home amid today’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, enterprise VPN servers have now become paramount to a company’s backbone, and their security and availability must be the focus going forward for IT teams. “It will be very important [that] the VPN service is patched and up-to-date because there will be way more scrutiny (scanning) against these services,” said Guy Bruneau, an ISC SANS instructor in a post last week. Bruneau’s warning is just one of the many cybersecurity industry alerts published over the past few days on the topic of VPN security.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/covid-19-with-everyone-working-from-home-vpn-security-has-now-become-paramount/

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