How safe are CNY colleges against cyber hackers and data breaches?

We’ve told you about data breaches impacting major retailers, banks, insurance companies, even the government.

But today’s hackers are also going after colleges and universities.

The chief technology officer at SUNY Oswego says it’s no surprise.

“Universities have a lot of smart people doing important research. A lot of ideas that people have, go on to become businesses or solve big problems,” says Sean Moriarty, chief technology officer at SUNY Oswego.

Colleges are also storage centers for important, sensitive research and personal information.

But when it comes to building their networks, Moriarty says colleges have not always put security first.

“They’ve been designed to allow people to work freely, and to focus on research, as opposed to security issues,” says Moriarty.

Over the last seven years, internet security firms say 550 universities have reported some kind of data breach.

More than 40 staff members at SUNY Oswego are dedicated to information technology services.

The university also sends out pamphlets and emails to its students, reminding them to be smart when it comes to sharing their information.

“Watch your accounts. Watch your emails. Don’t respond to emails that seem fishy. Usually if it seems fishy, it is,” says Brendell Caines, student.

“I always change my passwords,” says Victoria Dell, student.

Change your password frequently, and make your password complex.

Sometimes hackers use “phishing” emails to gain access.

Other times, they create malicious codes embedded in websites students and faculty regularly log on to.

Moriarty says the best thing you can do is think before you click.

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