In March 2021, JISC published its Higher Education Strategy 2021–2024; Powering UK Higher Education. The not-for-profit digital agency that focuses on tertiary education, research, and innovation operates the Janet Network, the UK’s national research and education network (NREN), which provides a high-speed network that links the UK research and education community. The report champions the UK education sector’s digital achievements over the past few years, particularly with its innovative approach to online and blended learning. Like many sectors, organisations providing higher education facilities experienced a rapid shift to remote working during the pandemic, necessitating investment in new digital infrastructure to support distance learning and research.
Jisc highlights the growing global demand for education and the UK’s leadership in transnational education, with almost half a million international students taking up places between 2019 and 2020. As universities and higher education institutions push to better utilise data to deliver enhanced education services to more students in ever-expanding locations, effective digital infrastructure will be a cornerstone of investment for the sector over the coming years.
As the sector grows, so too will the volume and sophistication of cybersecurity threats facing these institutions. By nature, higher education institutions have broad attack surfaces, numerous potential points of entry for threat actors, and large user groups vulnerable to social engineering. The significance of the sector to the UK economy means that mitigation of the risks associated with digital transformation is non-negotiable.