Why Access Control Must Be Higher Education’s Top Cybersecurity Priority

In this eCampus News article, rf IDEAS President David Cottingham outlines why universities must rethink access control as cyberattacks on higher education continue to escalate. In June, a targeted breach exposed 2.5 million Columbia University application records, triggering a major IT outage that shut down email and digital systems.

Cottingham explains that while firewalls and monitoring tools are essential, they cannot compensate for weak or fragmented authentication systems. Many universities still rely on outdated proximity or magstripe cards that can be easily stolen or cloned, enabling unauthorized access to residence halls, classrooms, and even shared workstations. These vulnerabilities create ideal conditions for data theft across sprawling campus networks.

By adopting encrypted credentials, eliminating shared passwords, and unifying building and system access under a single secure credential, institutions can greatly reduce risk while simplifying the experience for students, faculty, and IT teams. With cyber threats accelerating, Cottingham urges universities to take a phased, strategic approach to access control modernization, one that improves security, enhances usability, and restores trust in campus digital infrastructure.
 

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