Digital learning provides a lot of advantages to learners and educators alike. However, all digital learning stakeholders must strengthen their online defenses to protect against new types of online attacks that keep emerging now and then. The merge of AI and Machine Learning with educational cybersecurity has become particularly paramount as universities, teachers, and students globally shift to online lessons and digital platforms, introducing both advanced capabilities and new complexities.

Key Takeaways

Remote learning platforms, especially those using AI for personalization, are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the vast wealth of sensitive data they store.
AI and Machine Learning offer advanced security capabilities like threat prediction but also require careful management due to potential vulnerabilities and data privacy concerns.
Implementing comprehensive security measures, including strong authentication, data encryption, email security protocols (like DMARC), and vetting third-party software, is essential.
Educating both students and educators about online safety, data privacy, and secure usage of digital tools is critical to reducing vulnerabilities.
Developing a disaster recovery plan and fostering collaboration between educators and tech developers are key to maintaining operational resilience and building trustworthy e-learning environments.

Why digital learning environment is a major target for cybercriminals?

The Global Threat Activity Tracker report by Microsoft shows that there were over 8 million malware attacks from July to August 2020. The online learning environment was the main target with 79.4%. This is something that should concern stakeholders in the e-learning environment.

Amidst this backdrop of cybersecurity concerns, the resilience, and adaptability of the online learning sphere become even more paramount. Educational institutions and platforms must not only deliver quality content but also ensure the safeguarding of sensitive student data, particularly as AI-driven personalization collects more granular information.

It is also common for educational institutions to offer online cybersecurity courses. Such classes are held after school, which complicates the learning process for students. However, online courses are made of different components that are all important for success. They offer study materials, access to tutors, and exams. Part of exams include research paper writing. Students can use a research paper writing service to get their papers done in no time. It is an online resource focused on helping remote learners improve their course outcomes by writing quality papers for them.

This approach helps to reduce the level of malware penetration into the learning environment, but, unfortunately, cannot guarantee 100% security

Figure 1-source-microsoft

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A vast wealth of personal data

Remote learning platforms store their learner’s data online. This includes such as:

Health insurance
Credit card data
Bank details
National identity details
Exam outcome details
Essays and many more

This amount of data is what online cybercriminals target. If they can get hold of it, they can sell it or use it to access bank accounts. It is worth millions of dollars in ransom.

E-learning platforms get accessed the most

Millions of remote learners around the world are connected to their preferred universities online. They connect with online education platforms through different devices. Prosperity for America reports that 70% of university students prefer online learning. By 2027, the number of online learners is forecasted to reach 57 million. The report says 93% of companies globally pay for their workers to learn online.

As the demand for online education continues to soar, the need for custom e-learning software development becomes more apparent. Millions of remote learners around the world are connected to their preferred universities online, seeking tailored and engaging learning experiences. They connect with online education platforms through different devices, necessitating the creation of personalized e-learning solutions to cater to diverse learner needs. One of the key benefits of LMS is its ability to adapt to various learning preferences, offering a flexible and secure way to access educational content.

The World Economic Forum reports over 20 million online learners registered in 2021. This proves that the online learning environment is one of the most accessible platforms worldwide using different devices most of which are unprotected.

Figure 2-source.weforum

Higher institutions of learning may offer many types of remote learning courses however, they don’t invest much in online safety. Due to this, they become an easy target for cybercriminals.

What types of threats does the digital learning environment face the most?

The remote learning sector has made education available to learners in the remotest places. There are threats unique to the teacher, student, and parent. It is important to be aware of the threats.

Malware: Learners download education apps for online study and courses. Cybercriminals install malware on their devices to extract data.
Identity theft: Cybercriminals use extracted student information to access loans and services.
Malicious ads: Ads contain malware links and code that executes once clicked.
Phishing: Fraudulent messages that appear legitimate, often targeting login credentials or personal information.
DDOS: Cybercriminal sends too many requests that make remote servers hang, disrupting access to learning resources.
Ransomware: Ransomware is the main type of attack that targets university, college, and online education resources systems, encrypting data and demanding payment for its release.
Data breaches: Compromising passwords and exposing sensitive data, often exacerbated by vulnerabilities in third-party software integrated into educational platforms.

Figure 3-source-squarespace

Why does the online education sector need to prioritize cybersecurity?

Changes in technology are happening more quickly than before. A report by LinkedIn shows to date, there are 5 billion internet users. In the next 7 years, there will be 50 billion internet devices helping with sharing data. Statistics show the increase of technology multiplies by 2 times every 11/2 years. Furthermore, AI and Machine Learning are being integrated to enhance learning experiences, which, while beneficial, also necessitates heightened security vigilance.

The remote education sector is highly vulnerable to cyberattacks with a frightening percentage of attacks targeting this sector. Remote learning platforms experience different types of data breaches daily with most users being young students who are not conversant with cybersecurity protocols. This makes Cybersecurity imperative in remote learning. AI systems can proactively identify and neutralize potential threats, but the data they collect for personalization also increases privacy concerns, demanding robust protection.

They are curious and want to try out different things. In the process of trying out, they open malicious links and compromise passwords, download dangerous apps, and sign up for scam sites.

Introducing Cybersecurity to e-learning environments can help online education systems in:

Enhancing trust. If there are more security breaches, online platforms might lose trust. Increased security measures increase trust among users.

Keeping the remote learning environment safe. Online education startups work closely with programmers, SaaS platforms, and IT experts. They need marketing agencies to market their platforms. They need students and tutors to keep business thriving. The entire online environment needs to be kept safe. This involves thoroughly vetting third-party software and fostering collaboration between educators and tech developers to ensure platforms are both pedagogically sound and secure. It is the responsibility of every stakeholder to play their part.

Meeting compliance and data privacy requirements. Remote learning platforms need to meet the FERPA, FOIA, and GDPR compliance guidelines, which becomes even more critical when handling data used for AI-driven personalization.

Figure 5-source-moocineducation

Steps to prevent cybersecurity attacks

E-learning system administrators need to take precautions to prevent attacks so that if breaches do happen, they should be ready to prevent further damage.

Keep user privileges under control

A student may sign up online for one online lesson and leave the website or enroll for a short course and leave. Once a user completes their course, they should be denied user privileges while current users should be offered controlled privileges based on the principle of least privilege.

Use the latest online security enhancement methods

Cybersecurity specialists create strong online protection tools to keep data safe. Online education systems need tools such as:

AI/ML-powered tools for predictive threat analysis and enhanced authentication (e.g., behavioral biometrics).
Network safety monitors
Data encryptions (both at rest and in transit)
Internet vulnerability scanners
Penetration testers
Antivirus and anti-malware tools
Email authentication protocols like DMARC to prevent spoofing and phishing.
Network system defenses (e.g., Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems)
Computer firewall

Manage passwords well

Create hard-to-guess logins, enforce strong password policies, encourage multi-factor authentication, and manage them well. You can use password management tools to help remember them.

Understand local and international cybersecurity guidelines

Different cybersecurity guidelines and data privacy regulations (like GDPR, FERPA) apply at different levels. Understand them and follow them.

Keep physical gadgets secure

Use features such as a lock screen, device encryption, and biometrics to authorize access to devices. Unauthorized physical access can lead to data breaches.

Have a disaster recovery plan in place

If attacks happen, e-learning companies should be ready to take control. It helps to keep the platform running while keeping users safe. The e-learning platform should pay attention to the following points.

Keep the e-education platform safe. Prevent further attacks on the platform and users
Act fast. Do not postpone taking mitigation measures later but do it immediately
Ensure there is a backup system in place. Backup systems help keep data safe and ensure operational continuity.

Offer training to students and educators

Students and educators are often the first line of defense but can also be vulnerable points. Educate them on matters of online safety and their role by helping them understand the importance of data security, password safety, recognizing phishing attempts, the risks of opening untrusted links, attachments, and email spam, and the safe use of educational tools, including those powered by AI.

Conclusion

Remote education has helped deliver courses to learners regardless of their location. It offers a convenient way of acquiring knowledge at the learner’s convenience. However, entrepreneurs, marketers, and programmers in the online education field need to work on improving the online security of e-learning platforms, especially as technologies like AI introduce both powerful capabilities and new security considerations.

Schools, educators, and learners need to use innovative methods that improve security while IT specialists in the online education sector have a role to play in keeping education online systems secure. They must ensure the systems remain flexible with high mobility and safety, incorporating advanced defenses and fostering a culture of security awareness among all users. Collaboration between educators, developers, and cybersecurity experts is crucial to navigating the evolving digital landscape safely.

About
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Ahona Rudra

Domain & Email Security Expert at PowerDMARC

Ahona is the Marketing Manager at PowerDMARC, with 5+ years of experience in writing about cybersecurity topics, specializing in domain and email security. Ahona holds a post-graduation degree in Journalism and Communications, solidifying her career in the security sector since 2019.

Cybersecurity in the Digital Learning Environment