Choosing the Right Education Purchasing Cooperative to Combat Cybersecurity Threats

When students at the University of Michigan returned to class in the fall of 2023, they didn’t have internet access for the first week because of a data breach that exposed student, faculty, and staff data. About 230,000 people were affected. Social Security numbers, names, driver’s license numbers, payment card numbers, and health information may have been compromised.

With attacks on the rise, colleges and universities must improve their cybersecurity. Education purchasing cooperatives can help. In this guide, we will examine how education purchasing cooperatives work, how you can leverage volume discounts to achieve better pricing on cybersecurity, and the question, “What are the cybersecurity threats to schools?”

What Are the Cybersecurity Threats to Schools?

Realistically, there are too many different types of cybersecurity threats to list them all. Here are just a few of the more common threats schools face:

1. Phishing attacks: Cybercriminals trick users into revealing sensitive information through deceptive emails or messages, targeting universities due to their large number of users.
2. Ransomware: Malicious software encrypts files, demanding payment to unlock them, with higher education institutions being vulnerable because of outdated systems and diverse networks.
3. Data breaches: Unauthorized access to sensitive information, such as student records or research, is a major risk for universities due to the valuable data they store.
4. Unsecured IoT devices: Compromised smart devices on campus networks can serve as entry points for attackers, with universities using an increasing number of connected devices.
5. Denial-of-service (DoS) and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks: Overwhelming network traffic can disrupt campus websites or online learning platforms, making universities a prime target due to their reliance on these systems.
6. Insider threats: Individuals within the institution, either intentionally or accidentally, may compromise systems, with universities being at risk due to the large number of users with varying access levels.
7. Advanced persistent threats (APTs): These are long-term, targeted cyberattacks aimed at stealing sensitive research data, particularly from universities involved in cutting-edge or sensitive fields.
8. Legacy systems and software vulnerabilities: Older unsupported software is easier for attackers to exploit, and many universities still rely on a mix of outdated technologies.
9. Cloud security risks: Misconfigured or improperly secured cloud environments can expose sensitive data, with universities increasingly adopting cloud services for data storage and collaboration.
10. Social engineering attacks: Cybercriminals manipulate individuals into revealing confidential information, targeting universities because of their diverse population and frequent staff turnover.

How Education Purchasing Cooperatives Can Help

So, how can an education purchasing cooperative help you thwart cyberattacks and protect your college or university? With the right partner, you can save money, get more favorable terms, and streamline your procurement process in terms of cybersecurity protection. At the same time, you get access to leading cybersecurity companies that can help improve your cyber defenses.

Aggregated Purchasing Power

Purchasing cooperatives leverage bulk buying power across member institutions. This creates economies of scale for providers, who pass on the savings to schools. Typically, using a cooperative contract reduces the cost of managed cybersecurity services due to volume discounts.

Category Expertise

You also get category experts who work at the purchasing cooperative and have deep knowledge of IT solutions to help craft contracts that meet your needs. For example, E&I Cooperative Services is the only purchasing cooperative that focuses solely on education. This gives our procurement team expertise that goes beyond saving money. E&I contracts reflect the unique needs of higher education.

Streamlined Procurement Process

Even when you fast-track procurement, it can take months to create RFPs, allow suppliers to respond, and meet your compliance regulations. Purchasing cooperatives can help you streamline this process. An education purchasing cooperative like E&I conducts ongoing competitive solicitations that align with university policies.

You can view available contracts by searching under the Information Technology (IT) menu for Cybersecurity Services or contact the procurement experts at E&I Cooperative Services to discuss your specific needs.