As virtual classrooms, e-learning modules and digital administrative processes become the norm, these institutions are exposed to an array of cybersecurity threats. Hence, there’s a pressing need for a robust cybersecurity infrastructure, especially when 74% of cybersecurity attacks on Higher Education succeed, according to the study “State of Ransomware 2022” made by Sophos.
The task of ensuring that every tool, software, and application operates seamlessly and securely across various operating systems (OSs) has become pivotal.
The growing arsenal of cybersecurity tools
Sole reliance on basic defenses leaves vulnerabilities exposed, emphasizing the need for an array of cybersecurity solutions tailored to address specific threats. According to the 2023 Data Breach Investigation report made by Verizon, hacking was present in 40% of data breaches made to Educational Services and malware in another 40% of them, so it’s imperative to have multiple ways of defending our systems against cyberattacks.
Among these are:
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Antivirus Software: More than just malware detectors, modern antivirus software employs heuristic analysis to predict and counter unknown threats.
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Firewalls: Beyond just monitoring, they now incorporate deep packet inspection and application awareness, ensuring fine-tuned traffic control.
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Encryption Tools: With data breaches becoming commonplace, encrypting resting and in transit data has become indispensable.
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Device Tracking Tools: For students, losing a device also means losing out on classes and potentially endangering their personal information. For institutions, it translates to financial setbacks. Device tracking tools assist IT admins in tracing and recovering lost or stolen devices.
Challenges in managing multiple security tools
Managing a suite of security tools is a significant endeavor. IT administrators face the task of ensuring that each of these tools works optimally on its respective platform while maintaining a harmonious security environment, especially when they have to manage tight budgets for cybersecurity spending, as 30% of cybersecurity specialists have revealed in a survey made by ThoughtLab.
These are the most common challenges of managing security tools for different OS:
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Operational Overhead: With a diverse toolkit, IT admins grapple with the logistical challenges of ensuring every tool is updated and functioning as intended. Different tools may have separate update cycles, patch releases and compatibility concerns.
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Inter-Tool Conflicts: Not all tools are built to coexist harmoniously. Some may vie for the same system resources, or their operational methodologies might clash. This could lead to diminished protection or even system disruptions.
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Budgetary and Licensing Issues: Each tool comes with its price tag and licensing terms. Multiple tools can mean spiraling costs, especially if there’s a lack of clarity about which tools are genuinely essential.
Chromebooks in the classroom
Given the prevalence of Chromebooks in EDU organizations, it’s also imperative to dedicate a section to understanding them and addressing their unique challenges, such as a heavy reliance on web applications, knowing that up to 91% of breaches occur in that environment according to research made by Positive Technologies.
Unique Challenges of Chromebooks ChromeOS poses distinct challenges, and most of them are related to its reliance on cloud services. Its main challenges are:
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Limited Native App Availability
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Dependency on Cloud
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Integration Issues
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Restricted Customization
Benefits of multi-OS apps
The seamless functionality of apps across diverse operating systems is a priceless asset. This interoperability not only streamlines IT management but also reduces the risk of disruptions arising from software compatibility issues. Given the multitude of devices and operating systems used by staff, labs and students, this adaptability in app compatibility becomes especially pivotal in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of operations.
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Consistency in Policy Enforcement: With apps that are cross-OS compatible, institutions can implement consistent security measures, irrespective of the device’s OS.
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Cost Efficiency: Centralized management ensures better resource allocation, saving costs in the long run.
Strategies for efficiently managing tools across different OSs
Managing tools effectively across different OSs is a challenge but also a requisite for a seamless operational flow. Drawing upon strategies that cater to cross-compatibility, centralized management, and proactivity can transform IT administration from a burdensome task into a streamlined process, optimizing both security and efficiency.
Unified security dashboards
Unified security dashboards are indispensable tools in modern IT, especially for educational institutions juggling various devices and platforms. Solutions like Prey provide dashboards, often cloud-based, that grant IT administrators the luxury of accessing relevant information about their systems and devices from anywhere, on any software.
Regular audits and rationalization
Regular audits and rationalization play a pivotal role in the cybersecurity framework of educational institutions. These audits streamline operations, reduce redundancies and ensure that the arsenal of tools is always up to date. This last bit is very important, as according to a study made by Security Magazine, 51% of organizations that have suffered data breaches reported were caused by a third party.
One solution to protect them all
In educational institutions, the interoperability of cybersecurity apps across various operating systems is crucial. It ensures streamlined IT management, reduces disruption risks and guarantees consistent security policy enforcement regardless of the device’s OS. Employing multi-OS compatible apps not only enhances flexibility and scalability but also promotes cost efficiency by eliminating the need for multiple OS-specific solutions.
Juan Carlos Hernández Marin, a Cybersecurity Content Specialist at Prey, has a strong interest in cybersecurity frameworks, compliance and trends. He enjoys researching topics like data breaches, cyberattacks and current security tendencies in the field. Juan’s talent lies in simplifying complex topics, making them easily understandable for others.
