How to improve information security for schools

Currently, all teachers and students in schools have a need to access information. However, there is always a boundary between information freedom and the risk of abuse, causing information insecurity.

Therefore, schools need to protect IT systems from viruses, malware, unauthorized access and data leakage. At the same time, they also need an easy-to-use security system at a reasonable cost.

How to improve information security for schools Picture 1
The IT department of schools needs to balance the use of appropriate applications

The change of technology that comes with it is the threat that makes the situation even more complicated. The number of web applications that the university depends on and access from the school network continues to grow at a rapid rate. This rapid increase is due to the introduction of web 2.0 technologies, remote access and the increase in smartphone use and student own devices.

This has opened the way for the BYOD trend to increase ever faster. The IT department of schools needs to balance the use of appropriate applications and unreasonable applications, which can be dangerous.

For example, schools have a need to control the Facebook application. Schools already have policies to allow access to Facebook for specific groups or individuals, but at the same time they need to disable features that have no value or even cause abuse, intrusions and leaks. data of the school network system.

Cambridge Region College (UK) recently resolved this by upgrading IT security. The school has now adopted Dell SonicWall solutions to protect the safety of the school network and allow teachers to freely use information technology to get lessons with updated content. and interested in students.

For example, teachers can allow students to access Facebook (Facebook Chat function will be locked), and allow YouTube, BBC iPlayer to search. Lessons will become more engaging and interactive for students who use the technology familiar to them. At the same time, teachers and IT departments also have the right to ensure the safety of Internet access or restrict access to YouTube channels with inappropriate content.

Virus development can disrupt and knock down the school network, crippling daily activities and needing a lot of effort to overcome. To prevent these threats, schools need to prevent these behaviors before they occur with a professional access control and identity management system. All devices attempting to access the network will have to be tested to determine if they are in accordance with the necessary security policies, for example, if antivirus software has been installed.

With different security requirements, schools need a smart and flexible system that can be managed from the center. A key solution is to install the next generation firewall program: A security product that includes many security features integrated into a device such as network censorship and applications, virus scanning, Detect and prevent network intrusion.

Ways to help schools improve information security:

- Regularly train all employees: They should know how to use the information technology system, how to protect the school network, how to guide students to use technology and secure Internet and know what to do in emergencies.

- Access control: Ensure all access areas to the school network must be safe.

- Focus on management: Schools often do not have large IT departments, so the network needs to be easy to maintain and manage to be able to solve arising problems.

- Research, check and ensure the selection of appropriate information technology security solutions: Not a solution that can solve all situations. Different schools will need different solutions. Therefore, schools need to update the progress of technology regularly because the more technology develops, the more threats to information security will develop.

If a school adopts these policies, they will continue to have interesting and highly interactive lessons while still being able to protect the school's network from harmful viruses and malware.