Cyberattacks have become an unfortunate reality for many institutions, including colleges and universities. A 2023 SonicWall report highlights how malware attacks against colleges and universities increased significantly between 2021 and 2022.Â
Higher education institutions deal with highly sensitive data, making incident response plans an indispensable tool in their cybersecurity toolbox. This article provides a high-level overview of key considerations for creating an effective incident response plan that meets the unique challenges faced by colleges and universities.
1. Establish a Dedicated Response Team
The first step in an effective response plan is to designate a dedicated team that is responsible for handling cybersecurity incidents. Ideally, this should be a cross-functional team with members across legal, IT, public relations, and payments/compliance. This team should be led by someone who can streamline decision-making during a crisis.Â
2. Define Incident Categories
Not all cyber incidents are created equal. Categorize incidents based on their severity or the type of data compromised and map these to appropriate response strategies. For instance, an incident involving student financial data might warrant a different response than one involving email phishing.
3. Develop Response Protocols
Once incidents are categorized, develop response protocols for each category. Consider a three-pronged approach that includes technical steps, notification protocols, and a PR response. This allows schools to first contain and eliminate the threat. It also provides mechanisms for informing stakeholders and managing public perception in the wake of a crisis.Â
Colleges and universities should also consider unique nuances relevant to higher ed. For example, incident response plans should take into account high-traffic periods like enrollment or exams.Â
4. Implement a Notification Plan
Notification plans should be all-encompassing. Universities often have diverse sets of stakeholders, including students, faculty, donors, regulators, and the general public. A comprehensive plan should include tailored notifications for each audience. Depending on the severity of the incident, you may also need to notify law enforcement, banks, or credit card companies.
5. Regularly Review and Update the Plan
An incident response plan is not a set-and-forget tool. Regularly review and update the plan to reflect new threats, technological advancements, and changes in university systems or structures. The plan should be reviewed and updated when new technology is implemented. Post-incident reviews can provide invaluable insights into what worked and what didn’t, helping to refine the plan.
6. Conduct Training and Simulations
Awareness and preparedness are critical to the successful execution of an incident response plan. Conduct regular training sessions and simulations to familiarize the response team and other staff with their roles during an incident. The more realistic the simulations, the better prepared the team will be in a real-world scenario.
7. Document Everything
Documentation provides a clear audit trail and can be instrumental during post-incident reviews. Establish a protocol for documenting all actions and decisions during an incident, including what the incident was, when it occurred, how it was detected, the steps taken to resolve it, and the post-incident follow-up actions.
University Incident Response Planning Matters
An incident response plan is not just about reacting to cybersecurity incidents—it’s about being proactive in identifying potential threats, preparing for them, and continually improving your university’s cybersecurity posture. With a well-crafted incident response plan, colleges and universities can be confident in their ability to handle any cyber incident swiftly and effectively, minimizing damage and maintaining trust among their various stakeholders.
For guidance on creating an incident response plan tailored to your university’s unique needs, contact us today for a free consultation.Â
