Ep. 21 - Eric Smith: Bridging Cybersecurity & Digital Innovation in Higher Education

In this conversation, Eric Smith, Vice President of Technical Services Delivery at Fortify Data, discusses the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in higher education. He shares insights from his extensive experience across various industries, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by higher ed institutions.  The discussion covers Fortify Data's mission to provide continuous risk assessment and threat intelligence, the importance of understanding vulnerabilities, and the need for effective budgeting and awareness in cybersecurity strategies. Eric also highlights the significance of continuous penetration testing and shares success stories from clients who have improved their cybersecurity posture. Takeaways Eric Smith has nearly 30 years of experience in cybersecurity. Fortify Data focuses on continuous risk assessment for higher ed. Higher education institutions face unique cybersecurity challenges. Ransomware and phishing remain significant threats in higher ed. Continuous penetration testing provides ongoing security insights. Higher ed lacks the financial resources of other sectors. Awareness of vulnerabilities is crucial for effective cybersecurity. Metrics and scores help measure cybersecurity success. GLBA compliance is essential for universities accepting federal funds. Budgeting for cybersecurity often increases after a breach. Chapters (00:00) Introduction to Cybersecurity and Eric Smith's Background 08:02 Understanding Threats: Ransomware and Phishing in Higher Ed 09:16 Why Higher Ed is a Target for Cyber Attacks 18:00 Success Stories and Lessons Learned in Higher Ed Cybersecurity 22:57 Final Thoughts and Advice for Universities   Find Eric Smith here: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jericsmith/ FortifyData https://fortifydata.com/industries/higher-education/    And find EdTech Connect here: Web:https://edtechconnect.com/