A series from ASU Enterprise Technology on Cybersecurity Awareness Month

From lecture halls to firewalls: University leaders discuss cybersecurity

As the digital landscape grows increasingly complex, college campuses and universities must take a proactive stance to illuminate the path towards a more secure online world. 

And on Monday, October 28, university leaders from across the nation gathered for a virtual discussion on the current state, and future, of cybersecurity. 

Hosted by ASU Enterprise Technology, the virtual discussion – titled “From the Lecture Halls to the Firewalls: Navigating Cybersecurity Risks in Higher Education” – surfaced insights into staying safe online in a university environment.

Watch the conversation now available on LinkedIn

The discussion was moderated by ASU Deputy Chief Information Officer Kimberly Clark, with speakers including:

- Nathan Corwin, ASU Enterprise Technology
- Chris Graver, Northern Arizona State University
- Christopher Pringle, Harvard Business School
- Timothy Schwab, University of Arizona
- Sumit Jain, Louisiana State University

The discussion focused on the primary threats and vulnerabilities facing educational institutions in the digital age, how to best approach and implement security protocols, protecting sensitive data and fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness. 

Placing community at the center

“It will benefit all involved if we can reach out to our community to raise awareness of cybersecurity needs, even in our middle schools and high schools to start educating our community from a very young age." - Timothy Schwab, University of Arizona

“We need to make things easier for users to consistently behave in a more secure way. So some of that involves Investments that need to be made, but those Investments need to be made in furtherance of simplifying the cybersecurity environment, not making it more complex.” - Nathan Corwin, Arizona State University

"Among the vast array of security threats we face, the biggest risk we run is by not having the right processes in place or a manner in which users can find out how to best and safely use these technologies." - Sumit Jain, Louisiana State University

“Even though this is secure awareness month, cyber security should be top of mind every day. It is every user's responsibility; remember if you don't invest in cyber security now you will end up paying for it later.” - Kimberly Clark, Arizona State University

A focus on team culture 

"We need to make our institutions’ cybersecurity a team effort, along with a sustainable team culture. By doing better at building and nurturing relationships, we can have our processes down so that we and our users won’t feel even more stressed with the demands of life and work." - Chris Pringle, Harvard Business School

"While understanding that we can’t stifle innovation and research, classification of data types becomes more important. When working with AI especially, understanding the classification of data and research you're working with will go a long way to keeping sensitive data secure." - Chris Graver, Northern Arizona University

Other discussion topics included cybersecurity workforce planning and management, improving the hireability of student cybersecurity workers and workforce wellness and mental health management.

The virtual discussion, which brought together over 100 participants, was part of ASU’s suite of events and knowledge sharing that took place this October in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Check out a series of expert Q&A’s also available: