As technology continues to advance, the importance of cybersecurity measures in schools has become increasingly critical. Schools are particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks due to their limited resources and lack of IT expertise. 

To prevent these incidents from occurring, schools must implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures. One approach that has gained significant attention in recent years is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). In this article, we will explore what EDR is, how it benefits schools, and how it can be applied to the education sector.

What is Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)?

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) is a cybersecurity approach that focuses on the endpoints of a network, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. EDR solutions monitor the endpoints for suspicious behavior, including:

• Malware infections 
• Unauthorized access 
• Data exfiltration

When an incident is detected, the EDR system sends an alert to the IT team, who can then investigate and respond to the incident.

EDR is different from traditional antivirus software in that it does not rely on signature-based detection to identify threats. Instead, EDR uses behavioral analysis to detect suspicious activity. This makes EDR more effective at identifying and mitigating advanced threats that can evade traditional antivirus software.

Are You Covered? Why Schools Need Endpoint Detection and Response

Schools are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the large amount of sensitive data they hold, including student and staff personal information. Additionally, schools often have limited budgets and resources for cybersecurity, making them an easy target for cybercriminals.

Within the last year, 1 in 4 schools were victims of cyber-attacks.

Traditional security measures, such as firewalls and antivirus software, are no longer enough to protect schools from advanced threats. Cybercriminals are constantly developing new tactics and techniques to evade traditional security measures. For this reason, schools must implement more advanced security measures, such as EDR, to stay protected.

EDR solutions provide several benefits to schools. First, EDR can detect threats that traditional security measures may miss. 

For example, EDR detects threats that use zero-day exploits, which are unknown vulnerabilities that have not yet been discovered by software vendors. Second, EDR provides real-time alerts when an incident occurs, allowing the IT team to respond quickly and prevent the incident from spreading. Finally, EDR can provide valuable insights into the nature of the incident, including the scope and severity of the attack, which can inform future security measures.

How Concensus Applies IAM to Schools

Concensus is a leading provider of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, which can be used to strengthen schools’ cybersecurity measures. Concensus’s IAM solution provides several benefits to schools, including improved security, reduced IT costs, and streamlined IT operations.

One of the key features of our IAM solution is its ability to manage and enforce access policies for both on-premises and cloud-based applications. This means that the IT team can control who has access to sensitive data and applications and can revoke access when an employee leaves the school or changes roles, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

Concensus’s IAM solution also provides real-time monitoring and alerts, which can help schools detect and respond to security incidents quickly. The solution includes a dashboard that provides visibility into access policies, user activity, and security incidents, which can help the IT team identify potential threats and take action to mitigate them.

Finally, Concensus’s IAM solutions can help schools meet compliance requirements, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). These regulations require schools to protect the privacy of student and staff data and to take appropriate measures to safeguard this data against unauthorized access and disclosure. 

Concensus’s IAM solution can help schools meet these requirements by providing granular control over access to sensitive data and applications, and by providing detailed audit logs that can be used to demonstrate compliance.

Create a Safe Learning Environment with Concensus Today   

Today, cybersecurity is more important than ever, especially in the education sector. Schools are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the sensitive data they hold and the limited resources they have for cybersecurity. To protect against cyber threats, schools must implement comprehensive security measures, including Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions and Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions.

Concensus’s IAM solution provides several benefits to schools, including improved security, reduced IT costs, and streamlined IT operations. In addition to IAM solutions, schools should implement other cybersecurity measures, such as security awareness training, multi-factor authentication, regular backups, network segmentation, and incident response planning.
If you’re interested in learning more about how Concensus can help strengthen your school’s cybersecurity measures, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can help protect your school’s sensitive data and provide a safe learning environment for your students and staff.