Rennie Naidoo, professor in Information Systems at the Wits School of Business Sciences.
The cyber security landscape for higher education institutions (HEIs) is becoming increasingly complex and hostile.
Universities and colleges worldwide are prime targets for cyber criminals due to their large repositories of sensitive data and often limited cyber security resources.
This article examines the main cyber security strengths, vulnerabilities, opportunities and threats (SVOT) specific to HEIs and highlights the urgent need for adaptive, strategic approaches to mitigate cyber security risks.
HEIs possess unique strengths that provide a foundation for robust cyber security. A diverse IT expertise and collaborative culture, common in academic settings, can enable institutions to share knowledge across disciplines and foster a more proactive approach to cyber security.
Additionally, HEIs typically emphasise technological innovation and experimentation, allowing them to integrate cutting-edge tools and techniques to bolster cyber defences.
Moreover, the educational culture within HEIs promotes awareness and learning, which can be instrumental in developing cyber security initiatives….
