CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS
CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS IN UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT SYSTEMS

Summary/Abstract: Given the significant technological advances in all aspects of our lives and the increasing dependence on digital platforms, universities are facing new challenges. One major challenge concerns the student enrollment process. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many university processes have moved to an online environment - semester payment, online application, conducting lectures, etc. It has been daunting for many to visit universities in person to enroll in their chosen programs due to the widespread health crisis. As a result, some universities around the world have started implementing online enrollment systems for newly admitted students that offer convenience and affordability. However, the rise of online check-in systems and the handling of sensitive information – such as personal data and financial details – combined with the growing popularity of online payments has increased the vulnerability of these systems to cyber-attacks. In light of these challenges, developing robust and adaptive cybersecurity strategies has become essential for safeguarding against potential breaches. In 2023 will see a significant increase in cyber-attacks targeting higher education institutions and their processes, including those affecting online enrollment systems. This highlights the need for comprehensive and appropriate cyber security measures to effectively protect sensitive student data and ensure the ongoing integrity of institutional operations. Additionally, the evolving nature of cyber threats necessitates continuous updates and improvements to security protocols. This study therefore focuses on case studies of breaches and vulnerabilities and reviews the online enrollment processes of several universities in Europe, with an emphasis on data security. The findings reveal that key vulnerabilities relate to weak authentication practices, insufficient multi-factor authentication and integration with legacy systems. Conducting regular security audits and penetration testing is critical to identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in student enrollment systems. Penetration tests, where ethical hackers attempt to break into the system, can help uncover weaknesses that may not be apparent during routine audits. The purpose of this research is to propose a model to improve the security level of newly admitted student enrollment systems. It is essential that universities implement comprehensive information security management approaches that ensure not only data protection but also effective risk management. By identifying existing challenges and recommending best practices, this document seeks to improve the protection of sensitive data and improve the overall security of university information systems. The proposed method has been tested in a real environment and has been evaluated to reduce the risk of data breaches and increase the trust and safety of the university environment.

• Details
• Contents