With widely distributed networks, large and constantly shifting user bases, and a need to adopt new and often untested technology, schools and universities face cybersecurity challenges that are unique to the sector.
Combine those challenges with a lack of cybersecurity infrastructure, large volumes of personally identifying information, and a complex regulatory landscape, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble.
BitSight helps the education sector overcome these challenges with simple, scalable solutions for managing security risks, monitoring third-party relationships, and improving communication about cybersecurity.
With networks that span campuses and user bases that include transient students, faculty, and staff, it can be difficult to know where to begin when it comes to improving security performance.
BitSight enables continuous monitoring of security performance using objective, verifiable information gathered by independent organizations.
With one tool, cybersecurity leaders can see instantly where they’re underperforming compared to the rest of the sector and take appropriate action.
Schools and universities often act as proving grounds for new technologies, like cloud-based student portals and e-learning solutions.
But each new technology vendor represents a potential point of entry for cyber attacks. With large and decentralized vendor rosters, this is a major source of risk for schools.
BitSight allows cybersecurity teams to monitor the security posture of their entire vendor portfolio, understand and prioritize sources of third-party risk, and vet the security performance of each new vendor before bringing them on board.
Security awareness in the education sector is often lower than it needs to be. Some reports indicate that only about a third of higher ed institutions have a dedicated person in charge of information security.
Security ratings are easy-to-understand measurements of security performance, and they can help IT professionals improve awareness by streamlining communication with non-technical individuals.
In addition, security ratings can be used to improve communication with external stakeholders, including regulators, and demonstrate compliance with laws like FERPA, FISMA, Graham-Leach-Bliley, and GDPR.