As the new academic year approaches, Kaspersky, a global leader in cybersecurity and digital privacy, has highlighted the pressing need for stronger cybersecurity measures in schools and universities across the Philippines. The school year 2024-2025, set to commence on 29 July 2024 and conclude on 15 April 2025, presents a crucial period for educational institutions to bolster their defenses against cyber threats.
“By taking proactive measures, schools and universities can protect their students and staff, and ensure a safe learning environment,” according to Yeo Siang Tiong, General Manager for Southeast Asia at Kaspersky, as he underscored the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity to protect the privacy and sensitive information of the educational community.
The urgency of Kaspersky’s call to action is underscored by recent incidents, including a significant data breach at Romblon State University earlier this year. The breach, executed by the group known as “DeathNote Hacker Philippines,” resulted in the theft of personal information from both students and faculty members, highlighting the vulnerabilities present in the current systems.
In 2023, the Philippines ranked as one of the most vulnerable nations to cyberattacks. Kaspersky reported detecting 1.5 million local threats, preventing 4.62 million brute-force attacks, and blocking 15,312 ransomware attacks targeting organizations within the country. These alarming statistics illustrate the critical need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Kaspersky recommends several key actions for schools and universities to safeguard their sensitive information and maintain a secure environment. These actions include the deployment of advanced threat detection systems to monitor network activities and identify potential cyber threats in real time. In addition, conducting regular security audits and compromise assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities within the institution’s IT infrastructure is essential.
The cybersecurity company stresses the importance of staff training on cybersecurity best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts and securing personal devices. Encrypting all sensitive data in transit and at rest is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and tampering. Institutions are also encouraged to develop a robust backup and recovery plan and enforce immediate password changes to ensure quick restoration of operations after a cyber-attack.
To further support these efforts, Kaspersky recently launched Kaspersky Next in the Philippines. This next-generation product line is designed to combat today’s sophisticated and emerging cyber threats. Kaspersky Next provides powerful endpoint protection, essential Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technology, and Extended Detection and Response (XDR) capabilities.
As educational institutions in the Philippines gear up for the new school year, the emphasis on cybersecurity becomes paramount. By adopting these measures and leveraging advanced technologies, schools and universities can create a safer digital environment for their students and staff, ensuring a secure and productive academic year ahead.