Universities are like small cities. They contain personal data, financial records, and, as at Management and Science University (MSU), even a public-serving hospital. As a globally connected institution of teaching and learning actively engaged in applied research, we are in possession of high-value intellectual properties tied to technology. It makes us an attractive target for cyber-threats.
Another reason for universities being prime targets is the fairly open networks run to support the academic mission. Putting up a barrier against potential future discoveries and collaborations would undermine that mission.
Countering cyber-attacks is not as clear-cut as shutting down access and replacing hardware. With cybersecurity, there is a sentient opponent – for every move made, there will be a countermove. But one thing remains fortunately clear; information security can be adopted as a community responsibility. Simple steps can be taken to reduce our risk of becoming victims of a cyber-attack.
One of them is to click wisely; only on links and email files whose arrivals are expected from trusted sources. Another is to use a strong password as a front-line defence against hackers. A third would be to apply updates as soon as they become available; because a common hacker strategy is to wait for a software patch to be announced, then to target computers with outdated software. Last but not the least, know your data; if you don’t need it, delete it.
Such security measures are no guarantee of online safety and security; but just like driving, the specific things we do such as wearing the seat belt, can make it much safer and more secure.
MSU Bachelor in Computer Science (Honours)
MSU Bachelor in Computer Engineering (Honours)
MSU Bachelor in Computer Forensic (Honours)
MSU Master in Computer Science (by Research)
MSU PhD (Information and Communication Technology)
MSU Foundation in Information Technology
Cyber-security approach for start-up in MSU-FMM Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference 2018
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Universities are like small cities. They contain personal data, financial records, and, as at Management and Science University (MSU), even a public-serving hospital. As a globally connected institution of teaching and learning actively engaged in applied research, we are in possession of high-value intellectual properties tied to technology. It makes us an attractive target for cyber-threats.
Another reason for universities being prime targets is the fairly open networks run to support the academic mission. Putting up a barrier against potential future discoveries and collaborations would undermine that mission.
Countering cyber-attacks is not as clear-cut as shutting down access and replacing hardware. With cybersecurity, there is a sentient opponent – for every move made, there will be a countermove. But one thing remains fortunately clear; information security can be adopted as a community responsibility. Simple steps can be taken to reduce our risk of becoming victims of a cyber-attack.
One of them is to click wisely; only on links and email files whose arrivals are expected from trusted sources. Another is to use a strong password as a front-line defence against hackers. A third would be to apply updates as soon as they become available; because a common hacker strategy is to wait for a software patch to be announced, then to target computers with outdated software. Last but not the least, know your data; if you don’t need it, delete it.
Such security measures are no guarantee of online safety and security; but just like driving, the specific things we do such as wearing the seat belt, can make it much safer and more secure.
MSU Bachelor in Computer Science (Honours)
MSU Bachelor in Computer Engineering (Honours)
MSU Bachelor in Computer Forensic (Honours)
MSU Master in Computer Science (by Research)
MSU PhD (Information and Communication Technology)
MSU Foundation in Information Technology
Cyber-security approach for start-up in MSU-FMM Entrepreneurship and Innovation Conference 2018