The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore recently experienced a data breach where the personal information of approximately 300,000 individuals, including teachers and students, was leaked. The breach was a result of an email phishing attack in which a staff member’s account was compromised. The incident occurred in March 2021 when the attacker gained unauthorised access to the MOE’s online platform called Mobile Guardian. The platform is used to manage internet access on students’ devices for educational purposes. The compromised staff account was used to send phishing emails to other MOE employees, tricking them into revealing their login credentials. As a result, sensitive information such as names, contact numbers, email addresses, and identification numbers of MOE staff, teachers, and students was exposed. However, no financial or examination-related data was accessed.

The recent data breach at MOE has highlighted the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures. In order to effectively detect, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats, organisations can rely on pillars of defence such as the Threat Detection Platform (TDP) and OneDNS. These advanced capabilities play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information in the education sector.

Cybersecurity is an essential aspect of modern education systems. Educational institutions collect and store a vast amount of personal information, making them prime targets for cyber-attacks. With the increasing reliance on technology in delivering education, it is imperative that schools and educational authorities implement rigorous cybersecurity measures to ensure the protection of both students and staff.

TDP exemplifies advanced threat detection and response capabilities, ensuring a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Here’s how it addresses critical aspects of data protection:

1. 0-Day Response: TDP’s cloud sandbox employs sophisticated techniques to detect potential threats, including zero-day vulnerabilities in various file types like Word, Excel, and more. By leveraging the ThreatBook Cloud Sandbox, it identifies emerging risks before they escalate.
2. Accurate Detection: Powered by precise intelligence, TDP accurately identifies compromised hosts and advanced persistent threats (APTs). Through automated investigation and correlation analysis, it reduces alert noise and provides insights into attack paths, facilitating swift incident response.
3. Comprehensive Discovery: TDP continuously scans and profiles all assets and services, identifying potential attack surfaces and vulnerabilities. Its customisable risk monitoring alerts enable security teams to adaptively monitor asset behaviour and proactively mitigate risks.
4. Automatic Response: TDP features built-in TCP reset blocking and seamless integration with firewalls, enabling real-time response to threats. By blocking malicious connections and updating firewall policies instantly, it minimises the impact of cyberattacks.

OneDNS complements TDP’s capabilities with its focus on DNS security and network optimization. Here’s how it enhances cybersecurity posture:

1. Light-Deployment: Offering automatic response capabilities and built-in TCP reset blocking, OneDNS swiftly mitigates threats at the DNS level. Its integration with firewalls ensures coordinated defense measures, enhancing overall network security.
2. Accurate Threat Detection: With over 120 acceleration sites and extensive intelligence coverage, OneDNS boasts a 99.9% threat detection rate. Leveraging intelligent link optimization, it identifies and mitigates threats with unparalleled precision.
3. Stability and Reliability: OneDNS guarantees five nines availability (99.999% uptime) and boasts ten years of uninterrupted service. Its resilient architecture, featuring a two-site, three-center layout, ensures enterprise-level service continuity and reliability.
4. Full Coverage: Supporting diverse network environments, including centralized and branch offices, OneDNS offers comprehensive coverage for servers, PCs, and terminals. It provides seamless protection across all scenarios, ensuring holistic defense against evolving threats.

1. Early Threat Detection: TDP and OneDNS provide early warning systems by actively monitoring network activity and identifying potential threats in real-time. This ability allows educational institutions to respond quickly and minimise damage in the event of a cyber-attack.

2. Mitigating Malware and Phishing Attacks: TDP and OneDNS are designed to detect and block malware and phishing attempts, preventing unauthorised access to sensitive information. This protects teachers and students from falling victim to cybercriminals seeking to exploit their personal data.

3. Safeguarding Online Learning Platforms: With the rise of remote learning, educational institutions heavily rely on online platforms. TDP and OneDNS can secure these platforms against cyber threats, ensuring uninterrupted access to digital learning materials without compromising the privacy and security of the users.

4. Enhancing Trust and Confidence: By effectively utilising TDP and OneDNS, the MOE or any educational institution can demonstrate its commitment to protecting personal data. This increases trust among stakeholders, such as parents, students, and staff, fostering a safer learning environment.

With cyber threats on the rise, it’s time to enhance your educational institution’s defence against attacks. Integrate the advanced capabilities of TDP and OneDNS to effectively detect, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats. Ensure the safety and privacy of your students and staff by creating a secure educational ecosystem. Reach out to our specialist today to discuss the benefits of TDP & OneDNS for your business!