Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) has recently made a significant move to enhance its security measures by selecting the CyberArk Identity Security Platform to modernize its identity and access management systems. With more than 27,000 staff and students, the university has prioritized the need to strengthen its cybersecurity protocols in the face of increasing cyber threats.
As a leading modern university in Scotland, GCU is renowned for its academic teaching and research programs, particularly in the healthcare sector. However, like many other educational institutions, GCU has become a prime target for cyberattacks, including ransomware attacks. In response to these growing risks, the university has committed to reevaluating and bolstering its cybersecurity approach, placing a specific emphasis on identity and access management.
Tahir Yousaf, IT director at GCU, emphasized the university’s proactive approach to cybersecurity, stating, “In recent years GCU and others within the sector have increasingly been the target of cyberattacks. These risks drove us to completely reassess our approach to cybersecurity in general, and identity and access management in particular.”
In light of these efforts, GCU has chosen the CyberArk Identity Security Platform for its advanced privileged access management and access management capabilities. Yousaf highlighted the platform’s potential to offer additional identity security capabilities as the university’s security programs continue to evolve and expand.
The CyberArk Identity Security Platform is centered on intelligent privilege controls, providing comprehensive security for human and machine identities while automating the identity lifecycle. This includes continuous threat detection and prevention to enforce the principles of Zero Trust and least privilege.
Upon implementation, the platform is expected to bring significant benefits to GCU, such as supporting ongoing audit and regulatory requirements, enhancing productivity, and securing privileged access for its IT administrators. Additionally, it will enable the university to authenticate users with adaptive multi-factor authentication, securely access and share application passwords, and protect web applications from potential threats originating from the endpoint.
Furthermore, the platform will provide valuable insights into user risk and threats, aid in compliance demonstration, improve user lifecycle management, and continuously review and verify access to prevent credential theft and limit privilege escalation and lateral movement.
Matt Cohen, CEO of CyberArk, underscored the pressing nature of cyber threats in the current landscape, noting, “According to our research, 89% of organizations indicated they were targeted by at least one ransomware attack in the last 12 months.” Cohen also emphasized the unique vulnerabilities faced by higher education institutions due to the high-value information they generate, such as research data, along with the diverse set of users with varying access and permissions.
As part of their commitment to GCU, CyberArk aims to collaborate closely with the university to develop a robust identity security program tailored to mitigate future threats and safeguard its critical assets.
GCU’s decision to invest in the CyberArk Identity Security Platform reflects its dedication to staying ahead of potential cybersecurity risks and ensuring the safety and integrity of its systems and data. With this strategic move, the university is taking proactive steps to fortify its defenses in an increasingly digital and interconnected environment.