Following hackings, students and admins tighten security

From training to hiring outside agencies to protect data, colleges are becoming more aggressive about cybersecurity.


After instances ofInternet security breachesin academic and corporate settings, some colleges and universities are looking to tighten cybersecurity and stop hackers.

Cyber hacking, or the practice of breaking into computer networks to gain information, is becoming increasingly common, according to Greg Eller, the chief information officer at Northwest Florida State College.

This Tallahassee-based school fell victim to a hacker at the end of last year after a server upgrade left one folder in the network unprotected, says Eller. The folder contained the personal information — such as social security numbers, phone numbers and addresses — of many students, he says.

After the incident, the college employed Digital Defense Incorporated, which provides safety education and performs regular checks on businesses' network security, according to the Texas company's website. Eller says this group now analyzes his college's system every three months.

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