In today’s higher education landscape, IT professionals are navigating a delicate balancing act. Cyberattacks on universities have surged; 2023 was the worst ransomware year on record for the sector. Nearly 79% of colleges have experienced attacks, and the average data breach now costs $3.65 million.
Amid this, higher ed institutions must still uphold their defining value: academic freedom. The question isn’t whether to protect faculty, students, and research data; it’s how to do it without stifling the collaboration, autonomy, and innovation that fuel the academic mission.
The Academic Freedom vs. Security Dilemma
Every university prides itself on being an open knowledge-sharing environment. But openness is a double-edged sword; it fuels discovery and also introduces vulnerabilities attackers are eager to exploit.
Corporate-style security models often clash with academic culture. A strict Zero Trust model, for example, may conflict with the need for spontaneous collaboration. Worse, overbearing security measures push users to shadow IT; unsanctioned tools or practices that operate outside approved systems.
Professors, lecturers, and researchers are not children; so taking a minute to explain a security policy, rather than relying on fear or rigidity, isn’t a courtesy; it’s a necessity. Failing to do so doesn’t just erode trust; it creates Incognito IT, where users sidestep security altogether.
Instead, campus IT must work with educators and students—not above or against them; to co-design secure, practical, and respectful solutions.
Escalating Threats, Evolving Responsibilities
Higher ed is a prime target for cyber-crime. The assets at risk; from research IP to student records; make universities attractive to ransomware groups, state-sponsored actors, and data thieves.
Adding complexity, colleges and universities must comply with FERPA, HIPAA, GDPR, and a growing patchwork of U.S. state privacy laws. Rigid compliance measures, while well-intentioned, can inadvertently hinder research, especially when it comes to data sharing or international collaboration.
Then there’s the rise of remote and hybrid research. Faculty might collect data in the lab but analyze it at home; or teach from a coffee shop. The old notion of a "secured campus perimeter" no longer applies. Today’s security must follow the user, wherever they go.
Fostering a Security Culture of Enablement and Empathy
To protect higher education’s mission, we need a culture shift; from enforcement to enablement. Here's how:
Partner Early with Faculty and Researchers
Engage academic teams at the planning stage of tech initiatives. Help them achieve their goals securely, not after the fact, but as collaborators.
Educate and Empower
Tailored workshops and relatable examples go further than generic training. Connect cybersecurity awareness to personal data protection and research integrity.
A security-aware campus is one where people want to do the right thing; because they understand the why, not because they’re afraid of breaking a rule.
Practice Empathy and Flexibility
Don’t default to "no." Aim for “yes, and here’s how we can do it safely.” Support secure use of emerging tools by evaluating risks and offering safe pathways. Think of IT security like a fire department: not there to restrict daily life, but to prevent disasters, equip people with safety tools, and respond when needed.
Embed Security in Everyday Routines
Client support teams are the human face of IT. Use every ticket or hallway chat to reinforce secure behavior in approachable, non-judgmental ways. Normalize good habits through tips, short demos, and open-door communication.
If you find a problem while working with an end-user, educate without enforcing change, and they will contact you when they’re not sure. That’s how you build a relationship grounded in trust, not compliance pressure.
Client Support as a Security Ally
IT help desks and departmental tech staff play a critical role in shaping campus security culture. These teams are the bridge between policy and practice.
When a faculty member hits a roadblock; say, a blocked app install; support teams can either be policy enforcers or solution enablers. The difference determines whether faculty see IT as a partner or a gatekeeper.
Client support also serves as an early warning system; surfacing pain points, confusion, and recurring issues to security teams who can refine policies accordingly.
Conclusion: Security as an Enabler of Innovation
Cybersecurity and academic freedom are not opposing forces. When IT professionals adopt an empathetic, enabling approach, they protect the institution and its mission.
Professors, lecturers, and researchers are not children. When IT fails to clearly explain policies; or relies on scare tactics; it breeds Incognito IT: unapproved tools and risky workarounds. The cost of that disconnect? Greater risk, not less.
By shifting from “protect by control” to “protect by partnership,” client support teams can build trust, enhance compliance, and champion the safe pursuit of knowledge.
In the long run, a culture of security-through-enablement isn’t just good for IT; it’s critical for the future of higher education.