Global cybersecurity leader, Trend Micro Incorporated, has announced that it will provide managed detection and response (MDR) capabilities to Kingston University free of charge. The aim is to mitigate the threat of serious cyber disruption during the university’s busiest time of year for student recruitment.
According to Trend Micro’s Technical Director Bharat Mistry, the university clearing process is akin to the run-up to Christmas for retailers. Just as retailers experience an increase in sales during this period, threat actors are ready to exploit the situation by launching info-stealing ransomware attacks. In response, Trend Micro is offering its MDR expertise to Kingston University as a means to contain any breaches before they can spread.
From July to October, many higher education institutions in the UK compete to fill available places on their over 30,000 courses. However, the education sector was ranked as one of the top four sectors affected by malicious files last year, according to Trend Micro data. In particular, universities have experienced critical systems supporting clearing operations being taken offline due to carefully timed attacks.
In light of this, Trend Service One’s MDR functionality will integrate into Kingston University’s existing Trend cyber protection portfolio, which includes Trend Vision One, Trend Apex One, Cloud App Security, and Trend Cloud One. The MDR offering will provide rapid detection and response services.
These services will include 24/7 analysis, monitoring, and correlation of threats across email, endpoint, cloud server, and Azure AD. Additionally, support will be available around the clock via email, phone, and a case portal. Trend Micro’s threat analysts will work behind the scenes to detect, investigate, and perform threat hunting tasks. Furthermore, rapid service response and recovery will be provided, guided by Trend experts.
Daniel Bolton, Head of Technical Services at Kingston University, expressed the importance of maintaining a secure environment during the intense clearing period. Bolton highlighted that Trend’s partnership is invaluable to the university, as their MDR services enhance their defenses against potential attacks. With Trend Micro’s expertise supporting their in-house cybersecurity team, Kingston University feels confident in their ability to maintain a safe environment during such a critical time.
By offering MDR capabilities to Kingston University, Trend Micro is contributing to the protection of higher education institutions during their busiest periods. By tackling the potential threat of cyber disruptions, the company is helping universities maintain a secure environment for both staff and students alike.