Internet Security Issues and How They Affect Colleges and Universities

What are the Internet security concerns and threats and what are some processes in place to help increase the levels of Internet security?

The biggest Internet concern is that private information will be passed along via the Internet that someone, or many someones do not want to be passed along. This could be any kind of information, such as business, personal or financial.

Threats exist from people intentionally and inadvertently coming across transmitted information that is meant to remain protected from anyone but the intended recipient.

There are many different types of measures that are put into place to help increase the levels of Internet security. Pearlson and Saunders (2006) note many of them:

A digital pattern to inhibit counterfeiting can be put into place. This measure is a common security measure in place for persons purchasing online postage (p. 168).

Encryption, which is turning data into a format that can only be seen by those with the proper type of encryption key (p. 172).

Security validators can be used to ensure a site is secure. Usually you will see a recognized seal of approval for sites that are valid (p. 168).

Authentication can be used to verify a person is who they say they are. This could occur by having the user verify name and password, a digital signature, or the like (p. 172).

Passwords are common forms of security measures that many businesses have in place and can be a somewhat solid security measure if used correctly. Many people, however, use common passwords and that affects the level of security by making information easier to hack (p. 172).

Secure servers offer encryption technology that jumbles information into an unreadable format just before transmission. This makes it so anyone intercepting this information is unable to decipher information passing through. It is readable again, upon reaching whom it was intended for (p. 173).

Firewalls are very important security measures as well. They are created via hardware and software. With a firewall, websites can block undesired requests for entry. They can also protect those on the inside from those on the outside (p. 173).

There are other security measures that are put into place too, such as Pearlson and Saunders (2006) discussion of major credit card companies who are using one-time-only credit cards that are good only for one transaction (p. 170). You may also see businesses making a valiant effort to make security measures they have in place very visible. For example, icons, pop-ups, security certificates, etc. may come into view during use on a website, and these are intended to help make the consumer feel safer about reading or transmitting information through their Internet website.

Security measures are not always inexpensive, in fact, just the opposite can be true. Foster (2004) notes that of 501 colleges surveyed, almost all have reported having virus or worm problems. In order to help increase security measures arising from these and other security breaches, Higher Education (HE) institutions may deem it necessary to hire full-time staff members to deal with IT/IS security issues, or shell out money to train current workers in IT/IS security issues, or both (p.1).

I think no matter how many security measures are in put into place, there will always be people who are hesitant to use the Internet as a means of communication, or an avenue for information exchange, whether doing so in HE or in a business setting. I do know as well, that there are that many more people who are comfortable transacting this way. One thing that is certain; more and more places are requesting, strongly encouraging (registration in HE comes to mind), or requiring online interactions for their business dealings. What this means for HE is that they need to stay on their game and do all they can to keep security measures at their highest. Their livelihood could, in fact, depend on it.

Foster, A. (2004, December 17). Colleges Face Rising Costs for Computer Security. (Cover story). Chronicle of Higher Education, 51(17), A1-A38. Retrieved

October 5, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.

Pearlson, K. E. & Saunders, C. S. (2006) Managing & Using Information Systems.