A global pandemic, record unemployment and college campuses shifting to virtual classrooms have created the “perfect storm” for cybercrime in higher education, according to Information Technology Services officials.
An email sent out on April 10 by Student Information Services said the COVID-19 pandemic has increased cybercrime and phishing attacks by around 670%.
After campus shut-downs began, El Camino’s IT Services had to process requests for remote access for all the endpoints. That meant every device on and off campus, used by every student, faculty and staff members at El Camino College could be a potential breach-point for cybercriminals.
According to the Department of Justice, the Secret Service, and World Health Organization, cybercriminals have been using COVID-19 as a tool for worldwide exploitation.
“Cybercriminals, in general, take advantage of crises,” Loic Audusseau, El Camino College’s Chief Technology Officer, said.
Audusseau heads up all IT operations and strategic initiatives on campus.
“The whole pandemic changed dramatically how we operate, specifically when it comes to technology,” Audusseau said.
Audusseau was hired by El Camino College as…
