Improving cybersecurity measures in academic institutions to reduce the risk of foreign influence

Academic as well as scientific institutions are essential for advancing knowledge and innovation, but they are increasingly susceptible to foreign interference, which can compromise research integrity, academic freedom and national security. Increased remote work and study, large data volumes and disruptive technologies like Artifitial intelligence I have created new avenues for cyber threats. This article aims to explore the cyber risks associated with foreign influence on academic institutions specifically and suggest effective mitigation strategies. Foreign interference can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive research data, resulting in espionage, manipulation and lost commercialization opportunities. Dependence on foreign digital systems heightens these risks, including the potential loss of access to research data stored in third-party clouds. Furthermore, cyber interference can disrupt academic work, impacting online learning platforms and administrative systems. Common cyber threats, such as cyber-technology attacks and insider threats, underscore the need for strong cybersecurity measures.