{"id":1847,"date":"2023-10-09T10:02:07","date_gmt":"2023-10-09T10:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/efficientip.com\/?p=71422"},"modified":"2023-10-09T10:02:07","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T10:02:07","slug":"dns-threat-intelligence-for-higher-education-networks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2023\/10\/09\/dns-threat-intelligence-for-higher-education-networks\/","title":{"rendered":"DNS Threat Intelligence for Higher Education Networks"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DNS<\/figure>\n

With IT staff struggling to protect legacy networks on tight budgets, it\u2019s no wonder schools and universities are top targets for cybercriminals. Sprawling campuses handling BYoD and multiple IoT devices, together with frequent ransomware attacks and compliance regulations add to the difficulty. The 2023 IDC Threat Survey<\/a> found that 90% of institutions each suffer on average 8 DNS attacks per year, with every attack costing $1.15M in damages. The report goes on to provide recommendations on how Higher Ed<\/a> can evolve to proactive defense using DNS Threat Intelligence, in order to enhance ransomware detection and zero trust.<\/p>\n

Why is Higher Education a favorite target?<\/h3>\n

Universities handle a wealth of personal and research data, intellectual property and other valuable assets. This makes them enticing for state-sponsored actors, as well as cybercriminals looking to monetise stolen material through sale or ransom. Compliance frameworks also complexify security. Many regulations focus on data safety, while others enforce freedom of information.<\/p>\n

Institutions are having to handle distance-learning in the midst of the return to in-person learning. The online platforms required for this are often targeted as new entry points into academic networks. At the same time, staff and students connect multiple personal devices to university networks, many of which are outdated or incorrectly patched against known vulnerabilities. Lastly, recent vulnerabilities such as Log4j<\/a> also opened up institutions to more attacks, affecting websites, apps, devices and digital systems across the campus. <\/p>\n

Sadly, Higher Ed<\/a> institutions don\u2019t have the same resources as other industries, so have become an easier target.  IT teams are left with few tools and professionals to adequately protect against the rise in frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Bad actors have therefore increased breaches such as phishing, malware, ransomware and data theft. Many of these benefit from using DNS as a threat target or vector.<\/p>\n

With DNS Attacks on the rise, it\u2019s time to take DNS Security seriously<\/h3>\n

90% of schools and universities were victims of DNS attacks according to the IDC Threat Report, with damage costs and recovery times being higher than the average across industries. Top attack types included phishing, ransomware, DDoS, and DNS Tunneling (CnC communication\/data exfiltration). <\/p>\n

Impacts of DNS attacks proved to be very serious, affecting productivity, brand image and finances. They included:<\/p>\n