Education is going online and the process is unstoppable.
The truth is, that we all need online education and online learning to have access to global knowledge sources without being limited by location or time. Online learning systems are extremely diverse, flexible, and accessible globally. It means all of these eLearning systems incorporate essential elements of sharing information and interactivity. In similar infrastructures, data security is nothing but critical.
You may ask, ”Why does the security of students’ information matter when they freely share their personal information on social media?” The truth is that there is a significant difference between these two settings. Students or professors enter students’ information into a database. Students or their parents rarely ask for consent. Thus, educators must ensure that students’ information in the online database is secure at the highest level.
Unauthorized accessors of students’ information can obtain various confidential information, including students’ and instructors’ first and last names, gender, age, and email addresses, the names and addresses of schools, or class photos with students’ names. These problems can be addressed by integrating an effective student management system and guaranteeing the confidentiality of school data for teachers, students, and their parents.
First to know: What is Online Learning Security?
Online learning security refers to the measures and protocols to protect the data, privacy, and integrity of eLearning platforms and their users. With the increasing popularity of online learning platforms, security measures for data protection have become critical for both users and the platforms.
Why is online learning so vulnerable?
Any online activity is prone to vulnerability, by default, because either way, you are exposing your IP address and websites can share your data with third parties. With online learning, especially in less protected domains, there are more threats.
Open Access: Many eLearning systems are designed to be accessible from anywhere, at any time, making them inherently more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This open access can be exploited by malicious actors to access sensitive information.
Diverse User Base: The extensive user base of online learning platforms, which includes students, educators, and administrators with varying levels of technical proficiency, increases the risk of security breaches. Users may compromise security through unsafe practices, such as weak password usage or falling for phishing scams.
Integration with Third-Party Tools: Online learning platforms often integrate with numerous third-party tools to enhance functionality and provide a seamless learning experience. However, each integration point can introduce potential security vulnerabilities, making the entire system more susceptible to cyber threats.
The Importance of Data Security in Online Learning
According to the 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon, in 2021, the educational services sector encountered 1,241 incidents. 282 of these instances involved verified information exposure. 75% of these attacks were from external sources, while the rest included threat actors on the inside.
These statistics show this issue is quite common in the educational sector, regardless of its type. eLearning, in turn, primarily relies on the Internet for collecting and disseminating information. As they depend on the Internet, eLearning platforms are more vulnerable, potentially resulting in serious threats.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding, let’s look at the hack of the eLearning platform called Edmodo. A hacker stole about 77 million user accounts registered on Edmodo. The stolen information, including email addresses, usernames, and passwords. It was also reported that the information was put on sale on the “dark web” named Hansa for some $1000. This example vividly showcases the fact that threat actors can easily harm the security of eLearning platforms for a ridiculous amount of money.
Common Data Security Risks in Online Learning
When digging deeper into data security in online learning, it becomes obvious, that the threats are real and must be tackled to avoid future challenges. Here are some potential information security risks in the eLearning industry.
Spoofing
When it comes to network and information security, spoofing is the process by which an individual or software pretends to be someone else by faking data to gain an advantage. In most cases, users might not recognize potential signs of spoofing, which can put an entire learning platform on the ground.
Phishing
Phishing involves sending fake messages similar to trustworthy content, including text messages or emails. By the way, education has the highest email click rate worldwide, at 27.6%. These attacks intend to steal funds and personal data, such as login information. Phishing is one of the most common cybersecurity attacks in the eLearning sphere. In 2022, 9.3% of phishing attacks were in the educational sector.
Ransomware
Ransomware is a malicious program that blackmails individuals by threatening to expose private information unless a specific sum of money is paid. Some types lock the computer, while others encrypt files, making them inaccessible.
Distributed Denial of Serive (DDoS) attacks
In online learning, a DDoS attack happens when a learning platform is overloaded with fake traffic, making it slow or impossible for students and teachers to use. For example, during an exam, an attacker could block access to the platform so no one can log in or submit their work.
Data Breaches
Data breaches occur when unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive information stored within a platform. This can include personal details of students and staff, financial information, and academic records. Data breaches can result in financial and reputational damage to educational institutions.
Insider threats
Insider threats within the organization can include current or former employees, contractors, or business partners who have access to sensitive data and may misuse it intentionally or unintentionally. Insider threats can be challenging to detect and prevent, making them a significant concern for eLearning platforms.
Data Security Regulations and Compliance in Online Education
Ensuring the security of eLearning platforms also means meeting different rules and regulations. Depending on the platform's location and user base, it may be required to comply with specific data protection laws, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in the US.
By implementing such strong security measures, online learning platforms can follow data protection laws and avoid legal issues.
Evaluating the Data Security Measures of Online Education Platforms
A study conducted in 2023 called “Assessing the Impact and Effectiveness of Cybersecurity Measures in e-Learning on Students and Educators: A Case Study” aimed to explore if the level of eLearning security affects the overall standard of education. The results showcase that implementing security measurements in online learning platforms can positively impact students’ engagement with the system. Educators should continuously encourage students to give feedback on their experience with the eLearning platform to address any security issues that might occur.
Best Practices for Securing Data in Online Learning
As the threat of cyber-attacks becomes increasingly evident, it is significant to explore the best practices for enhancing the security of eLearning platforms. Implementing these measures can protect sensitive data and ensure successful online education.
Password Hygiene
Educating professors and administrators on how to design a secure password can be one of the most effective ways to fight against cyberattacks. This practice will surely minimize the possibility of data leakage.
Incident Response Plan
Incident response plans should be personalized according to the type and function of the online learning platform. The users must know when and how to report a cyber attack in case of encountering a problem.
Phishing Simulations
Indeed, phishing training can have considerable influence on the way eLearning systems tackle the issue of cyber attacks. However, simulations are a helpful way to understand the vulnerable parts of your users. These tests can point out those individuals who might need help gaining practical experience to spot cyber threats in real life.
Culture of Security Awareness
Fostering a culture of security awareness is essential to protecting eLearning platforms. Regular training sessions and workshops can help students, teachers, and administrators stay updated on the latest security practices.
Security Tools
Advanced security tools are crucial for protecting online learning environments. Implementing firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, anti-malware software, and encryption tools can safeguard data from unauthorized access. Additionally, tools like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can provide an added layer of security, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
The Importance of Data Encryption in Online Learning
The accessibility of online learning platforms brings concerns about data security. Data encryption is a critical safeguard, ensuring that personal and institutional information remains protected from unauthorized access.
What is Data Encryption?
Data encryption is a security method where information is encoded so that only authorized parties can access it. With algorithms, data is transformed from a readable form into an encoded version that can only be deciphered by those who have the specific decryption key. Data encryption is a common and reliable practice in many industries and platforms
The Role of Data Encryption in Online Learning
Data Privacy: In online learning environments, students and educators share personal information, including names, addresses, and educational records. Encrypting this data will protect privacy and prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
Intellectual Property Protection: Encryption will protect course materials, lectures, and research from being copied or altered without authorization.
Secure Communication: Whether it’s video lectures, discussions, or exams, encrypted communication channels will ensure confidential conversations and shared data.
Preventing Identity Theft: With the vast amounts of personal data available in educational databases, students are potential targets for identity theft. Encrypting this data mitigates the risk of such breaches.
Conclusion
As a user, you may share your information on social media and other platforms requesting personal information. But, as a user, you should also be aware of the risks of exposing your information to third parties (for marketing purposes) or cyberattacks. Be a responsible user and protect your data, whether on an online learning platform or social media.
In turn, the digital environment works on implementing data security measures to protect data from cyberattacks.