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Writer's pictureJustin St Pierre

Making a Difference: A Comprehensive Look at Cybersecurity in Education

In the dynamic world of educational technology, cybersecurity has become more critical than ever. The Cybersecurity Leaders' Forum on November 19, 2024, brought together experts to address the most pressing digital challenges facing educational institutions.



Key Insights from the Cybersecurity Frontlines


The Ransomware Reality

James Finlay, Lead Director of Incident Response at Covewave by Veeam, delivered a stark wake-up call about the evolving ransomware threat:

  • Data Exfiltration: 76% of ransomware attacks involved confirmed data exfiltration in Q3 2024

  • Encryption Rates: 92% of attacks included data encryption

  • Critical Gap: A lack of centralised reporting on ransomware payments makes it challenging to fully understand the true impact of these attacks


Security Automation: Meet "Security Sarah"

Lee Swift, Chief Technology Officer at Catholic Education Western Australia, introduced a groundbreaking approach to Security Operations Centers (SOCs):

  • Integrated platforms including Microsoft Defender and Tenable.io

  • Advanced contextual playbooks

  • A blueprint for developing automated security solutions across educational organisations


Penetration Testing: Proactive Vulnerability Management

Adin Sabic, ICT Technical Services Manager at Catholic Education South Australia, provided a transparent look at security incidents, emphasising:

  • The importance of systematic risk identification

  • Open dialogue about security challenges in Catholic Education in Australia


Managerial and Business Implications

Dr. Ivano Bongiovanni, General Manager of AUSCERT and Senior Lecturer at University of Queensland, offered crucial insights:

  • Projected shifts in cyber budgets

  • Legal considerations surrounding ransomware payments

  • Demystifying cyber-insurance complexities


Rethinking Network Security

Shannon Hartley and Brendan Freeman, IT Security Experts at CEnet, challenged traditional security models:

  • Transitioning from secure network boundaries to a boundary-less ecosystem

  • Strategies for improving security posture

  • Reducing potential attack surfaces


Application & Technology Assessment

Ian Gregory, Head of IT Architecture, Strategy & Cyber Security at CEnet, highlighted:

  • The Safer Technology for Schools (ST4S) initiative

  • A national framework for technology assessment

  • Promoting collaboration across the Catholic education sector


Comprehensive Security Exploration

Phil Proctor, Director of ICT at Catholic Education South Australia, led a comprehensive discussion covering:

  • Security incidents and near misses

  • Internet of Things (IoT) challenges

  • Essential 8 security controls

  • Education and awareness

  • Cloud backup strategies


Beyond Technology: A Holistic Vision

The forum was uniquely aligned with the "Laudato Si': Making a Difference for Our Common Home" initiative, emphasising that cybersecurity transcends mere technological solutions. It's about creating a safer, more sustainable digital environment for education.


In our rapidly evolving digital landscape, vigilance, collaboration, and continuous learning are our most powerful cybersecurity tools.


Special thanks to CEnet, AUSCERT, NCEC, and Veeam!!


Stay Secure. Stay Innovative. Stay MAD (Make A Difference).

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