As higher education institutions navigate the adoption and enablement of digital landscape, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater. With students and faculty relying on virtual spaces for classes and exams, and universities / colleges playing a critical role in advancing knowledge and innovation, it’s no surprise that these institutions have become prime targets for cyber attacks.

The cost of a data breach in the education industry can be staggering, with IBM Security’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2022 finding that the average cost is $3.86 million. And unfortunately, the education sector is among the top 10 industries for average total cost, with phishing being the most common form of cyber attack.

To address these threats, many colleges and universities have implemented a combination of cybersecurity tools, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and cyber training. However, these measures often fail to address the root cause of the problem: passwords. Passwords are a weak link in the security chain and can easily be compromised through phishing attempts.

That’s where passwordless authentication comes in. By removing the need for passwords altogether, higher education institutions can benefit from:

1. Improved security: Passwordless authentication methods, such as digital signature and biometrics, offer superior security over traditional password-based methods and MFA. They are less susceptible to hacking and phishing attempts.
2. Increased convenience: With passwordless authentication, users don’t have to remember and enter a password, which can save time and make the login process more convenient.
3. Reduced IT costs: Without the need to manage and reset passwords, IT departments at educational institutions can redirect resources to more important tasks.

BlokSec’s Immutable Authentication™ services make it easy for higher education institutions to integrate passwordless login for their students, faculty, and staff. Durham College has already made the switch and seen significant benefits. To learn more about how your institution can do the same, contact us to schedule a demo and see the benefits firsthand.